Andrew’s Grimes Hurdle Runner By Runner Betting Guide ...Middle East

We have a little midweek treat for all the National Hunt fans, as 12 go to post for a cracking renewal of the Grade 3 Grimes Hurdle.

Some high-class hurdlers have won the Grimes Hurdle in the past, and this season’s renewal looks one of the best in recent years. A case can be made for the majority of the runners, but who will come out on top in the 2025 Grimes Hurdle?

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Grade 3 Grimes Hurdle – 2m

Now, let’s take a closer look at all 12 runners in the 2025 Grimes Hurdle.

1 Gaucher

Having emerged victorious over Sunchart when they met off level weights in the Grade 3 BoyleSports Novice Hurdle over course and distance in October, Gaucher has since caused a minor 20/1 shock in the same grade. He followed up the latest of those Grade 3 wins with a solid two-and-three-quarter length fourth at Grade 2 level.

He then finished his season being beaten the same distance in a competitive listed handicap hurdle at the Punchestown Festival. Now returning from a 65-day break off a mark of 150, Gaucher must carry top weight.

Paul Townend is back on board for the first time since his win over course and distance and looks set for a strong showing. However, given his tendency to race freely, Gaucher will need to control his enthusiasm after a two-month break if he is to perform at his best.

Star Rating:

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9 Jesse Evans

Having filled the runner-up spot in three of the last four Galway Hurdles, Jesse Evans looks to have his eyes set on the big prize at Ballybrit once again. He tried chasing again last season, but he has never looked like a natural chaser, which didn’t help when clashing with Gorgeous Tom, Majborough and Hercule Du Seuil.

A return to hurdling worked the oracle when bolting up by 12 lengths at Ballinrobe and now comes in here after a more than admirable display in the Copper House Stakes at Royal Ascot. He’s back up to 148, but he was beaten a head off 2 lbs lower in the 2023 Galway Hurdle, which gives confidence that he will be bang there off his current mark.

He’s in top form, and with ground conditions a massive plus for him, it’s hard not to see Jesse Evans fighting out the finish.

Star rating:

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2 Winter Fog

A 16-length winner of this race at 22/1 last season, Winter Fog has since gone on to mix it at the highest level and has made his connections proud in the process.

His form figures of his last five runs reads 32334, all in Grade 1s. A new mark of 152 for those runs, 5 lbs higher than for last season’s win, does not weigh him out of a follow-up bid.

In the context of this race, his runs behind State Man, Golden Ace, and Teahupoo all give him a more than realistic chance of winning back-to-back renewals of the Grimes Hurdle. If he can return in the same form as he was this spring, he is a serious threat to all his rivals here. Even at the age of 11, it’s impossible to rule out Winter Fog.

Star Rating:

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11 Puturhandstogether

The winner of the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival comes here with a lot more to offer. This four-year-old followed up his Cheltenham Festival win with a third (beaten over seven lengths) at the Aintree Grand National Festival.

He was sent off a well-supported favourite that day, and given how flat he ran, he could well have been feeling the effect of his win at Cheltenham. Now, on the back of a break and with a bit of strengthening under his belt, this lightly weighted J.P. McManus runner is given a lot of respect. He showed at Cheltenham that he will have no problem with the hustle and bustle of a race like this.

However, even though he is a winner over this trip, I have a suspicion that he will need a step up in distance sooner rather than later and may be lacking a gear at a crucial stage against more experienced rivals.

Star rating:

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7 Enniskerry

A former Grade 3 winning chaser when at his best, Enniskerry finally made the most of his lower hurdles mark when winning a handicap hurdle at Leopardstown Christmas Festival last year (Gaucher finished fourth). He hasn’t been seen since, which is worrying for an eleven-year-old who has had his fair share of problems over the years.

Ground wise, he will have his ideal conditions, and his trainer, Barry Connell, will be sure to have him forward enough on his first start since December to try to make the most of his perfect racing conditions. However, Enniskerry will need to be on his A-game against strong opposition here and is down in the pecking order for me.

Star rating:

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6 Batman Girac

It’s fair to say that Batman Girac has been called many names in his short career, but he finally put it all together at Killarney to get off the mark for the first time for Willie Mullins. Even with that win under his belt, it is impossible to trust him.

This race marks a rise in grade again for the Munir & Souede-owned runner, and it’s unlikely that this race will fall apart as when winning at Killarney. J J Slevin will need to be at his best to get Batman Girac switched off if he is to finish with authority here.

Star rating:

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10 Smooth Tom

Smooth Tom is a fine flat operator (he beat Ascending last season and has since won at Royal Ascot) and has also put up some solid performances over timber. His latest start over hurdles was a winning one when getting the better of a decent field at Cork in April.

Since that win, he went on to run well in a competitive Ebor trail at the Curragh at the beginning of June. He’s still relatively unexposed over hurdles, and it wouldn’t be a shock if this three-time hurdle winner makes a few sweat in the closing stages. This 91 flat-rated performer is capable of putting up a bold show.Star rating:

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4 Sunchart

This two-time Listed winner on the flat is very lightly raced over hurdles and has won two of his six starts over timber. He comes here on the back of a good win at Wexford and, before that, was only collared late by Gaucher in Grade 3 over course and distance.

He’s on a mark that he can be well capable of winning off, but a slight ease in the ground would enhance Sunchart’s chances here. He’s unlikely to win, but he will give you a run for your money at an each-way price.

Star rating:

Bet on Sunchart with BetVictor

5 Zariygann

Zariygann is two from three over hurdles and made light work of Gaucher when they met in September, beating that rival by over six lengths. However, he was bitterly disappointing when finishing last of four when sent off a strongly supported 5/4 favourite in the Fishery Lane Novice Hurdle at Naas.

Since then, Zariygann has switched yards to Martin Brassil, and it will be interesting to see what this shrood trainer can do with this lightly raced five-year-old. Given Martin Brassil’s training approach, Zariygann will likely need his first run since November and be aimed at the Galway Festival.

Star Rating:

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3 Feud

This son on Dubawi was bred to win Group 1s on the flat, but for one reason or another, he did not live up to his billing when trained by Ralph Beckett. However, the switch to Richard O’Brien and the change of discipline sparked his well-bred gelding into life.

He made a lasting impression when bolting up on his hurdles debut at Listowel and showed that it was no fluke when winning with authority at the Galway Festival (second, third, and fourth have all gone on to win since).

There was talk of a crack at the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle after that win, but unfortunately, he was met with a setback that would keep him out for the remainder of the season.

With Danny Mullins booked up for his first start in 339 days, you have to suspect that Feud will be plenty forward to do himself justice here. And now that he looks to have been missed in the market, you have to consider him a big each-way player going on the promise that he has shown in his two wins to date. He’s the wrong price and looks like a standout each-way bet with so much more to offer.

Star Rating:

Bet on Feud with Ladbrokes

12 Stormalong

Stormalong is the only mare in the line-up and comes in here on the back of a listed win at Killarney. That wasn’t the strongest of contests for that level, and she already has it to find with a few of these. She will need to find a new level of form to get seriously competitive here and is one of very few that you can rule out with confidence.

Star Rating:

Bet on Stormalong with Tote

8 Fils D’oudairies

This admirable ten-year-old is capable of out-running his odds, but his form has been more inconsistent than the weather in an Irish summer. He’s been beaten out of sight in his last three starts, but before that, he was seen finishing just over eight lengths behind Kargese and Constitution Hill.

It’s impossible to know what to expect from Fils d’Oudairies, but the smart move may be to leave him alone today.

Star Rating:

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Grimes Hurdle verdict

We should be in for a cracker this evening, and with so many in with a realistic winning chance, it’s hard to rule out many. Last year’s winner, Winter Fog, has shown his high standard of form throughout the National Hunt season, and he will not lie down in the defence of his crown.

Jesse Evans is more at home over hurdles, and he looks one of the big dangers here. It’s not easy to side against the Noel Meade runner, but FEUD’S odds look too big to ignore. This progressive hurdler looked distant for the Cheltenham Festival after his win at the Galway Festival, and if he is to be at that level, then he should be going close on his comeback. The Andrew Slattery pair can go well at a price.

About the author

Andrew Halligan

My name is Andrew Halligan, horse racing pundit and founder of YouTube’s The Finishing Line Podcast. Horse racing is a thrilling spectacle that captivates audiences around the world with its blend of drama and excitement. Whether you’re a jumps or flat fan, I will use my experience of working within the horse racing industry to bring the best of what this sport has to offer.

You can follow Andrew on X (@Halligan88).

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