Ideal step up for Daddy Long Legs in Roscommon
Daddy Long Legs and Brian Hayes. Pic: Healy Racing
Sure to be sent off at prohibitive odds, the Willie Mullins-trained Daddy Long Legs is difficult to oppose in the Grade 3 Ballymore Irish EBF Kilbegnet Novice Chase at the final meeting of 2026 in Roscommon.
A five-time winner over hurdles, with a rating of 149 in that discipline, the Almanzor gelding produced some top-notch performances over flights, including a runner-up effort against star stable-companion State Man in the 2025 Irish Champion Hurdle.
Successful over hurdles at Ballinrobe in May, Daddy Long Legs had a couple of outings on the flat this summer, chasing home Counting Coup at Down Royal in June and willing third spot in the amateur riders’ maiden won by Abbotsford at the Galway festival.
The selection made his eagerly-awaited chase debut at Killarney last month and duly delivered, making all, jumping well and winning eased down, by seven lengths from Guinness Galway Hurdle victor Putapoundinthejar, with Bowensfire third.
Today’s graded contest looks an ideal next step for Daddy Long Legs. And he’s a confident choice to outpoint former stable-companion Femme Magnifique, a revelation since joining Harry Kelly – she has won three of her four starts, a sequence which has seen her chase mark rocket from 104 to 124.
Willie Mullins and Paul Townend might also strike with the frustrating Kimi De Mai, an eight-race maiden over hurdles, in the Kelly Hearing Specialists Mares Maiden Hurdle.
This grey has had plenty of opportunities but, rated 114, should be capable of a maiden success.
Her form includes a solid third to Bowensonfire in a competitive handicap hurdle at Leopardstown’s Dublin Racing Festival back in February.
And, last time, as even-money favourite, she failed by a half-length to Puppet Master in Kilbeggan.
Despite the presence of the likes of Wicked Pleasure, Born Believing and Brave Lady, Kimi De Mai might belatedly open her hurdling account.
Trained by Adrian Murray and an eye-catching third behind Combs on his hurdles debut at Kilbeggan, Telegram Sam makes plenty f appeal in the opening Athleague 4-Y-0 Maiden Hurdle.
We also have flat action in Down Royal where Willie Mullins might take the concluding Molson Coors Beverage Handicap with Rakki, up 4lb. for his defeat of Daboya at Tramore last time.
Ben Coen will be on board Rakki again. And he’s preferred to bottom-weight Nod Of Approval.
Earlier, Noel Meade’s 85-rated Star Glory, second to Maedu Matsu in a seven-furlong Naas maiden last time, sets the standard in the Irish EBF Auction Series 2-Y-0 Fillies Maiden.
1.35 Telegram Sam (Nap)
2.10 Cool Summer
2.45 Kimi De Mai
3.20 Jurality
3.55 Smallcraftwarning
4.30 Daddy Logn Legs
5.05 Jolie Jewel
5.40 Touch The Clouds
1.35 Direct Approach
2.10 Patrick Street
2.45 Wicked Pleasure
3.20 Ardgillan
3.55 Charlie Luciano
4.30 Femme Magnifique
5.05 Ladies Well
5.40 Dr Bones
1.24 Invinncible Irish
1.59 Stella Moment
2.34 Star Glory
3.09 Blooming Rose
3.44 Faoladh 4.19 Chloe’s Boy
4.50 Augusta Rock
5.25 Rakki (nb)
1.24 Santo Parvenue
1.59 Nellcote
2.34 Hop Hop Chrissy
3.09 Daring Heart
3.44 Barbapapa
4.19 Tassarolo
4.50 Flagstoen Lady
5.25 No Of Approval
