Kilbeggan - Friday 24th July 2026
The Kevin Coleman-trained KASPER HAUSER is given the nod in what looks a highly competitive opener. He has run well plenty of times in defeat and may be able to finally get his head in front. Bobby Kirova made a good impression when third on his first try over obstacles and, with natural improvement, he should make an impact. Hurling Academy makes some appeal on breeding and although this is his first racecourse start, he could also be thereabouts.
The Ciaran Murphy team has enjoyed a good summer and the vote is with FACILE OCEAN. The five-year-old has finished in the places on his last two starts and a reproduction of his second at Kilbeggan in May should be enough. Press The Button was an impressive winner of a Thurles bumper last October, but has failed to build on that promise. However, he can be competitive if returning to form. Rumble Demosa would have learned plenty on debut and, with natural improvement, has each-way claims.
FRIAR HOGAN can't be far off recording a first success. He had worked his way into a challenging position when carried out at the second-last hurdle at Limerick in May, and returned to the same course at the beginning of this month to chase home Global Skies. Whispering Willow has held her form since scoring at Punchestown in May, while Barrogstown Girl has proved herself on the Flat and has to be considered on her handicap hurdle debut.
BOWGATE STREET has run well at the course in the past and looks the leading player. She was third to the consistent Chemdawg here in April before winning at Sligo the following month and then went well again here when runner-up a fortnight ago. Top-weight High Notions ran her best race to date when third over a slightly shorter distance here in May and a reproduction of that might see her go close. Dearg Mor is another for the shortlist after his very promising effort over 3m here last month on only his third start in a handicap hurdle.
YOU DONE WELL is thoroughly consistent and deserving of another win. He landed a handicap hurdle on good ground at Limerick in May of last year and has shown up well on a number of occasions since, notably when a runner-up at Tramore in April and again when finishing in third place more recently at Clonmel and Wexford. Magic Day was the winner of a handicap hurdle here in April of last year and goes back over hurdles after two recent runs over fences, while it's interesting that In The Trenches runs in his first handicap hurdle here in a little over two years. He won a maiden hurdle at Downpatrick last month but was quickly pulled up after a first-fence mistake at Wexford since.
RUSTY HARKNESS easily boasts the best form. He was placed on each of his three starts in maiden hurdles last winter and showed up well on his first start in a handicap hurdle at Clonmel in April. Tried in a beginners' chase at Limerick the following month, he again ran promisingly when second to Sporting Glance. He would now be expected to see off Le Questionnaire, who ran his best race when a runner-up in a maiden hurdle at Downpatrick in May, and Giorgia Rose, a moderate third on both of her runs over hurdles so far.
GARNACHO can again score at the main expense of Costacurta. The pair was separated by two and a half lengths when first and second respectively in a novice chase at Wexford late last month where the winner looked to have a little in hand on his chasing debut. He can confirm those placings on 4lb worse terms. Both horses are having their first runs in a handicap chase now and might have an edge of the more exposed Milan Forth, who has run well twice here in recent months.
LOVE LIKE THIS was a winner over hurdles here last month and is taken to gain a first victory over fences now. An early mistake didn't help her chances in a handicap chase at Killarney last week but if remaining error-free, she could be hard to beat this time. At the opposite end of the handicap, Luimneach might be fancied to improve on his run here at the end of May, his first outing since early February. Island Mccoo won over hurdles here in the middle of last month but was unable to follow up on his last visit here two weeks ago. He's not easily discounted going back over fences.
MONNTIE built on the promise she had shown on the Flat with a couple of solid runs over hurdles. Her debut runner up effort has been franked and she will be suited by the drying ground. Kasper Hauser brings an experience edge and just about sets the standard on form so will be a big danger despite his inconsistency. Pebble Island is another who has been unreliable but he will hold a chance if bringing his best.
Bumper winner PRESS THE BUTTON stopped quickly last time but his debut runner up effort has been franked and a repeat of that should be enough here. Facile Ocean finished a place behind a next time out winner last time and looks the biggest threat while Mysilverriverfeale is also of interest. She has an experience edge and was steadily progressing until her latest outing.
FRIAR HOGAN left his previous form behind when runner up last time and will be tough to beat if building on that. That form has been franked so a 4lb rise looks fair and he is chosen to defeat Finnicky Filly who has some decent course form to her name. She was running well until her latest outing and can fight for a place alongside consistent maiden Demanding Gerry.
PATRICK STREET is yet to win over hurdles but he has registered multiple victories on the Flat including this spring. He placed off 1lb lower when last seen in this discipline and that form has been boosted since. Another dual purpose performer who is yet to win over hurdles is Lariat but he returned to form when runner up on the Flat last time and could play a part back over hurdles. Dearg Mor has been steadily improving in handicaps and can also make his presence felt in an open race.
LAXXIO has proven inconsistent in his short career but he looks extremely well treated on his best maiden form from the winter. He's entitled to come on for his latest outing and if doing so he can defeat the admirably consistent You Done Well who remains on a workable mark. Top weight In The Trenches is easily forgiven his latest chase run. He is better judged on his recent maiden hurdle win and he should be on the premises if in the same form here.
RUSTY HARKNESS sets a clear standard on both his chase and hurdle form. He left his previous efforts behind when runner up last time over fences and that form has been franked. He's proven as a stayer and should be able to get the better of Giorgia Rose who has placed on both starts so far over 2 1/2m. Le Questionnaire has some big stamina concerns having failed to get home over 3m last time but holds fair claims judged on her previous efforts.
Garnacho made a winning chase debut last time benefitting from a strong pace. He should have more to offer over fences but he may struggle to confirm form with COSTACURTA who went too fast last time faring best of those racing close to the pace. His previous placed effort has been franked and he should have more to offer now handicapping for a top yard. Milan Forth has been in good form at this venue recently and should also be bang there once again.
MY GOOD PAL needs to put his latest run behind him but he's well treated on his spring runner up effort which has been boosted. He's proven versatile ground wise and is selected ahead of in form Love Like This. She is probably better over hurdles but her mark reflects that and she has a good record here with 3m on good ground her optimum conditions. The inconsistent My Policy is unexposed in this sphere and looks a potential improver. She can fight for a place on favourable quick ground.
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