Wexford - Thu 7 May 2026
KAROLINE BANBOU can provide Harry Cobden with a winner on his first visit to Wexford. A faller at Leopardstown on her most recent start, the Willie Mullins-trained mare had finished runner-up on her first two runs over fences. One of the best of these over flights, the form of her maiden hurdle win received a huge boost from the runner-up at Punchestown last week. With the minimum trip likely to suit her better than her main rivals, this looks a nice opportunity. Farfromnowhere would arguably prefer a stiffer test, but has to hold claims on the evidence of her first two runs over fences. Kilgame is interesting being sent straight over fences following a maiden hurdle win last time out.
Having made a bold bid from the front before eventually finishing second on his chasing debut at Tramore, COURTBRACK BOY can gain compensation. Jumping well on his first start over fences, the Terence O'Brien-trained gelding was only headed on the run to the last, before keeping on well for minor honours. Sure to be all the better for that experience, he should enjoy this tight track which favours those who race towards the pace. In decent form over hurdles recently, Let Him B has to be of interest on his chasing debut. Course winner Tequila Talkin' also merits respect for the local Paul Nolan yard.
A dual winner at this track, CROWSATEDAPPLETART can register a third Wexford success. The Michael Winters-trained nine-year-old went on to win at Limerick after scoring here twice last summer and now finds himself on a mark of 117 over fences. However, with leading conditional jockey Michael Kenneally taking 5lb off his back, he looks sure to run a big race. Recent Limerick scorer Come On The Lads has scope for further improvement on what is only his fourth start over fences. Former smart handicap hurdler Captain Conby was absent for well over two years prior to a run on the Flat last month. If coming on from that outing and retaining ability, he shouldn't be ruled out.
A Grade 1 winner over hurdles, HIDDENVALLEY LAKE should have too much class for these. Lightly raced last season, the Henry de Bromhead-trained gelding ran a solid race on his most recent appearance when finishing mid-division at Aintree. Although a faller three out on his only previous start over fences back in 2023, he was still in contention at the time. Connections reverted to hurdling and, given his rate of progression in subsequent starts, it's no great surprise they resisted the temptation to go back chasing until now. One Big Boum looks the biggest threat given that he tends to race prominently so this track should suit. D Art D Art looks next best.
TIFFINY'S GIRL must shoulder a 5lb penalty having won at the Cork Easter festival last month but, even so, she is fancied to go in again. The daughter of Mahler wasn't winning out of turn following a number of creditable efforts in the pointing sphere and with the prospect of further improvement likely, she appears to have been found another decent opportunity. It has been feast or famine for Kiwi De Cotte between the flags of late but he ought to be more than competitive in a race of this nature, whilst Black Dakota (second) can confirm his superiority over Thehandsomecharmer (fourth) after their meeting at Rathcannon last month.
Dual point-to-point winner DEDUDEFROMHOUSTON wasn't beaten far into second at Ballynoe in the Gain Mares Final last month and is fancied to make an immediate impact now sent under Rules. Miss Appleberry and Silent Temptation defeated subsequent hunter chase winner Tiffiny's Girl (runs in the 7.08) when landing their maiden point-to-points and both ought to be more than competitive. Wilton Mills Trier was unable to justify strong market support in a similar event at Cork last time out but she may do better with that experience under her belt.
THE FARMERS BAR made a pleasing start when third on his point-to-point debut last month and can put that experience to good use. The winner and runner-up were later sold for 200,000 and 100,000 euros respectively, so it would come as no great surprise to see another big run from Ian McCarthy's gelding. Jetaway Mountain was narrowly denied in a point-to-point at Peppards Castle last October and is considered along with Brootalley, who put a trio of incompletions behind him to score at Loughanmore recently.
KILGAME has a lofty reputation and finally gained a deserved hurdles victory when dropped to 2m last time. He's proven versatile ground wise and is open to plenty of improvement now switched to fences so gets the verdict over Farfromnowhere who sets the standard on her debut form where she split a pair of top class rivals. She will be suited by the return to this quicker surface but may find the trip on the sharp side. Karoline Banbou was a classy novice hurdler and though she is yet to match that form over fences she still rates a threat.
Paul Nolan rarely leaves his local track without a winner and TEQUILA TALKIN' could provide him with victory here. She looks well treated on her hurdles win at this venue and shaped with plenty of promise over further on her chase debut. She can defeat progressive hurdler Let Him B who starts chasing off a potentially generous mark and Butter Fingers who has bounced back to form over hurdles recently. He's yet to fire in this sphere but is on a dangerous mark on his hurdle form.
COME ON THE LADS had a bit in hand when registering a first chase victory last time and should be able to follow up off 8lb higher. He beat a pair of in form rivals that day and his hurdles form suggests he should be better on this quicker surface. War Correspondent has shown his best form at this venue and he lurks on a dangerous mark judged on his autumn Grade 3 form. He could leave his returning hurdles run behind and fill out the places with Cappucino who is fairly treated on his novice form and easily forgiven his last outing where he was struck into.
Grade 1 winning hurdler HIDDENVALLEY LAKE has been below his best this term in that discipline but he is still the clear class angle here and is expected to make a winning chase debut. He failed to complete on his sole start previously over fences but 3m on good ground are his optimum conditions and he has been building up to peak fitness recently. Long Branch brings in some good course hurdles form and ran well over an inadequate trip last time. If taking to chasing he can provide the main challenge ahead of American Jukebox who did too much too soon in front last time over hurdles but could get an easier lead here.
TIFFINY'S GIRL had plenty in hand when making a winning chase debut under rules and should be able to follow up in an equally weak contest. She can defeat Begger who may have placed but for departing on his only start under rules. The point winner can fill the places with Black Dakota who has been in excellent form in that discipline ahead of his rules debut.
WILTON MILLS TRIER was successful in points and the form of that race looks strong. She shaped well when placed on her bumper debut and with her experience edge here she could be tough to beat. Morning Express beat some useful yardsticks in a point last time and could provide the biggest challenge on her rules debut. Dedudefromhouston showed progression in points and her latest form was boosted under rules so she could also play a part.
Very little rules form to go on so it may be worth siding with MAJESTIC HORIZON who was a point winner last time and that form has been franked multiple times under rules. The Farmers Bar placed on his sole run in points and now starts out under rules for a yard in flying form. He may prove the biggest danger ahead of The Boysofairhill who proved steadily progressive in points.
Whilst studying the form, we have a dedicated horse racing free bets page where you can find offers on all today's racing, as well as offers to use for races on our Ante-Post Prices page, which has markets available for upcoming major meetings as well as the Grand National 2026, Royal Ascot 2026 and Cheltenham Festival 2026.
