14:50 Listowel

Thursday 25 September 2025

All14:1514:5015:2516:0016:3517:1017:45

Connolly's RED MILLS Irish EBF Auction Maiden Hurdle

Off time: 14:50 | Winning time: 4m 2.5s

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Selected odds by:

Heads Up¹⁹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Mark McDonagh| T: J C McConnell

8/13

Smart in bumpers last season, culminating with an excellent second in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham, and is very much the one to beat on this switch to hurdling.

Form: 42122-

Gatsby Blue³¹⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Mr J P Sampson⁽⁷⁾| T: S M Duffy

300/1

Showed little all 3 starts for Maurice Barnes in late 2024 (had breathing problem latest). Engaged 2.05 here Wednesday.

Form: P/87P-

L' Evangeliste¹⁴⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Sean Flanagan| T: E McNamara| D

9/2

Confirmed debut promise when landing a Limerick bumper in March, awarded race having been carried badly left from over 1f out. Failed to repeat that effort in a stronger race at Punchestown in May but should make his mark over hurdles in time.

Form: F1/317-

Chichester Park¹⁴⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: Daniel King| T: A J Martin

50/1

€24,000 3-y-o, €35,000 5-y-o, Yorgunnabelucky gelding. Dam (h77), lightly raced over hurdles, half-sister to smart staying chaser Swansea Bay. Off mark in points at fifth attempt (May 3). Market for clues.

Form: F/3431-

Found A Diamond²⁴⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: Danny Gilligan| T: R O'Sullivan

13/2

Showed fair form in a pair of maiden hurdles prior to running to a higher level when second of 6 in a Limerick bumper (16f, heavy). Off 8 months. Switches from bumpers to hurdles.

Form: 652-

Total Transparency¹²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 11-6| J: Mr D L Queally| T: D Queally

28/1

£18,000 3-y-o, Capri gelding. Half-brother to bumper winner Get A Superstar. Dam (h99) maiden hurdler. Unpromising in points and looks best watched.

Form: 4P

Watchful Protector¹⁷⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: Donagh Meyler| T: E Mullins

14/1

Promising type who bettered his hurdling debut form when second of 10 in maiden at Wexford (20.7f, soft) in April, finishing with running left after being badly hampered 4 out. Return to shorter unlikely to suit but is open to further progress all the same.

Form: 3362-

Burning Ability

Age: 4| Weight: 11-4| J: Gary Noonan⁽³⁾| T: E McCarthy

40/1

€10,500 3-y-o, El Salvador gelding. Dam unraced.

Form:

The Man's Room^p1²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Jack Kennedy| T: Colm Murphy| OR: 110

13/2

Fair hurdler. 7/2, creditable second of 8 in maiden hurdle at Bellewstown (20.5f, good) 29 days ago, barely adequate test. This drop in trip isn't sure to be in his favour but a form contender, nonetheless. Wears first-time cheekpieces.

Form: 55-2662

Just For One¹⁴⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 11-2| J: Brian Hayes| T: D G Murphy

150/1

Sent off 125/1 and finished only fifteenth of 20 in bumper at Punchestown (16f, good to soft) on Rues debut 145 days ago. Makes hurdles debut and probably one for the longer term if anything.

Form: R0-

That's So True²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 10-11| J: Danny Mullins| T: Ms M Mullins

50/1

Showed only a bit more than in bumpers when sixth of 7 in maiden hurdle at Down Royal (20f, good to firm) on debut in this sphere 27 days ago.

Form: 506

Forecasts

Heads Up (8/13), L' Evangeliste (9/2), Found A Diamond (13/2), The Man's Room (13/2), Watchful Protector (14/1), Total Transparency (28/1), Burning Ability (40/1), Chichester Park (50/1), That's So True (50/1), Just For One (150/1), Gatsby Blue (300/1)

HEADS UP stands out on his smart bumper form, so he's the obvious choice to make a winning hurdling debut. The Man's Room and Found A Diamond could be the pair to fill the places.