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Horse profile

The Gradual Slope (IRE)

9yo gelding · Trainer Sean O O'Brien · Owner Mark Mcdonagh
by Shantou (USA) out of Caltras Theatre (IRE) (King's Theatre)
41 runs · 17 courses · from May 2021
As at 8 Nov 2026 · KTB archive: GB, Ireland & France · 2005–present, updated daily
4 wins · 4 courses Last run 7 Jun 2026 Last raced off OR 110
KTB Profile

The Gradual Slope is a gelding with four wins from 41 starts on turf. He won the Blackrock College AFC Ladies National Handicap Chase at Fairyhouse in Apr 2026 over 2m5f – 3m on soft ground off an official rating of 105, and has also scored at Punchestown, Down Royal and Kilbeggan. All four wins came on soft or good to soft going. He last ran at Punchestown in Jun 2026 off an official rating of 110, 11lb below his highest ever mark of 121.

Based on 41 archived runs · run-style from 13 commented runs since Aug 2024 · updated 8 Nov 2026
KTB at a glance OR ↓ 11lb off peak
Official rating110↓ 11lb off peak
110 105–121

KTB Speed and Rating

KTB Speed

Best recent Speed 121 the best of the last 3 graded (A or B) runs · Thurles, 20 Dec 2025

How fast the horse ran, as points against the day-corrected standard time for its course and distance: 100 is the median GB Class 4 handicap winner on that code; one point is 0.1% of the standard time. A, B or C is how much the day's card could tell us, not how good the run was. What this means →

Jumps 28 figures · best 155B · median 97
GoingRunsBestMedianSince 8 Nov 2025
Soft15129B963 runs · 121 / 109
Heavy5155B97—
Good to Soft4117A104.51 run · —
Good4143B108.5—
DistanceRunsBestMedianSince 8 Nov 2025
2m1f – 2m4f11143B112—
Over 3m6121B109.53 runs · 121 / 109
1m5f – 2m6128B93.5—
2m5f – 3m5155B961 run · —

Of 41 runs looked at, 13 have no figure: did not complete (8) · not enough races on the card to set the day (under 4) (3) · obstacles omitted — the race ran a shortened course (2).

KTB Speed v1 · batch 15 Sep 2026 · GB & Irish racing only · 28 figures from 41 runs · as at 3 Oct 2026 · a record, not a forecast

KTB Rating

Best recent KTB Rating 125B the best of the last 3 rated runs · Down Royal, 17 Mar 2026 Official rating 110 at the last run, 7 Jun 2026

What the horse achieved in each race, in pounds on the official-rating scale, from the weight carried, the lengths beaten and the race's own level solved across the archive — never the market, never the official rating as a starting point. The headline is the best of the horse's last three rated runs on that code — its best recent day. The KTB Rating on a racecard is a different reading of the same figures: the level the horse has been running to, an average of up to its last six runs with the latest counting most, so the two can differ. A, B or C on a run is how much known form was in that race. What this means →

Jumps 31 figures · best 132A · median 117
GoingRunsBestMedianSince 8 Nov 2025
Soft17131A1203 runs · 130 / 124
Heavy6117A116—
Good to Soft4132A119.51 run · —
Good4126A117.5—
DistanceRunsBestMedianSince 8 Nov 2025
2m1f – 2m4f14132A119—
Over 3m6130A115.53 runs · 130 / 125
1m5f – 2m6131A107—
2m5f – 3m5124A1171 run · —

Of 41 runs looked at, 10 have no figure: did not complete (or a non-runner row) (10).

KTB Rating v1 · batch 3 Oct 2026 · GB & Irish racing only · 31 figures from 41 runs · as at 4 Oct 2026 · a record, not a forecast

Both figures are KTB's own, computed from the archive; no vendor rating enters either. Every run's figure is on its form line below with its grade. Grades measure how much the archive could see, never the merit of the run.

Run style from 13 analysed runs since Aug 2024

  • Prominent 7 (54%) · 0 wins
  • Held up 4 (31%) · 1 win
  • Mid-division 2 (15%) · 0 wins

Pedigree intelligence

Sire
Shantou (USA)

Progeny in our archive have won 13.6% of 7,841 runs since Feb 2008 (539 horses).

Strongest on good to firm going: 20.3% from 158.

GoingRunsWinsSRvs sireThis horse
Firm2150%+36.4—
Good to Firm1583220.3%+6.7—
Good2,29731213.6%00 from 5
Good to Soft1,43817612.2%−1.41 from 6
Soft2,61236313.9%+0.33 from 20
Heavy1,28317813.9%+0.30 from 10
Standard (AW)5159.8%−3.8—
Distance (all codes)RunsWinsSRvs sireThis horse
6f – 7f300%−13.6—
1m – 1m1f1100%−13.6—
1m2f – 1m4f6269.7%−3.9—
1m5f – 2m2,03127613.6%00 from 7
2m1f – 2m4f2,71737913.9%+0.32 from 18
2m5f – 3m2,34833414.2%+0.61 from 9
Over 3m6697210.8%−2.81 from 7

Flat and jumps together (all codes) · since Feb 2008 · as at 8 Nov 2026 · rows under 30 runs muted · win % is the measure, a record not a forecast

Dam
Caltras Theatre (IRE) (King's Theatre)

1 sibling in the archive, 1 winner — best of them Getaway King (IRE) (3 wins).

The wins came over 2m4f–2m5½f; the highest grade won is Class 5 (Getaway King (IRE)).

ProduceRunsWinsWin tripsBest grade
Getaway King (IRE)1132m4f–2m5½fClass 5

Record by conditions

GoingRunsWinsSR£1
Soft 20 3 15% +24.50
Heavy 10 0 0% −10.00
Good to Soft 6 1 17% −3.25
Good 5 0 0% −5.00

CourseRunsWinsSR£1
Punchestown 5 1 20% +18.00
Down Royal 4 1 25% +0.50
Leopardstown 4 0 0% −4.00
Cork 4 0 0% −4.00
Fairyhouse 3 1 33% +14.00
Navan 3 0 0% −3.00
Limerick 3 0 0% −3.00
Killarney 3 0 0% −3.00
Galway 2 0 0% −2.00
Kilbeggan 2 1 50% +0.75
Naas 2 0 0% −2.00
Thurles 1 0 0% −1.00
Roscommon 1 0 0% −1.00
Clonmel 1 0 0% −1.00
Wexford 1 0 0% −1.00
Gowran Park 1 0 0% −1.00
Tipperary 1 0 0% −1.00

DistanceRunsWinsSR£1
2m1f – 2m4f 18 2 11% −10.75
2m5f – 3m 9 1 11% +8.00
Over 3m 7 1 14% +16.00
1m5f – 2m 7 0 0% −7.00

JockeyRunsWinsSR£1
Mark McDonagh 27 2 7% −1.25
Barry Browne 3 0 0% −3.00
Danny Mullins 2 0 0% −2.00
Miss N Lockhead Anderson 1 1 100% +16.00
Sean O'Keeffe 1 0 0% −1.00
Calum Hogan 1 0 0% −1.00
Daniel King 1 0 0% −1.00
Gavin Brouder 1 0 0% −1.00
Donagh Meyler 1 0 0% −1.00
Cian Quirke 1 1 100% +3.50
Aidan Coleman 1 0 0% −1.00
Charlie O'Dwyer 1 0 0% −1.00

HeadgearRunsWinsSR£1
None 32 3 9% −1.75
Cheekpieces 6 1 17% +11.00
Hood 3 0 0% −3.00

SeasonRunsWinsSR£1
2026 5 1 20% +12.00
2025 7 0 0% −7.00
2024 7 1 14% +16.00
2023 9 1 11% −4.50
2022 8 1 13% −5.25
2021 5 0 0% −5.00

TypeRunsWinsSR£1
Hurdle 21 2 10% −13.75
Chase 20 2 10% +20.00

Splits include every sample, however small — muted rows are under 3 runs. A one-from-one record is a fact, not a trend: read the Runs column before the strike rate.

Form

DateCourseRace PosBtn Wgt ORSpdKTB Jockey SP
2026 · 5 runs
07 Jun 26+64d Punchestown K-Mech Mechanical Handicap Chase 2m4f · Good To Yielding · 12 ran Sat close up on inside early - hit the 4th awkwardly - dropped towards back after error at the 7th and another blunder at the following fence - lost ground and pulled up before the 9th PU/12 — 10-5 110—— Mark McDonagh 16/1
04 Apr 26+18d Fairyhouse Blackrock College AFC Ladies National Handicap Chase 2m5f · Yielding To Soft · 17 ran Settled towards the back early - still in the pack with six furlongs left - urged into eighth after an untidy leap - up into third after two out - in second but wandering right at the last two obstacles - swung across a furlong from home - kept on strongly - closed on the front-runner near the finish - got up in the final strides 1/17 9-12 10580B124A Miss N Lockhead Anderson 16/1
17 Mar 26+15d Down Royal Bluegrass Racehorse Cube Chase 3m2f · Good To Yielding · 4 ran Settled towards the back early - still in 4th and not closing before 2 out - pushed along and stayed on same speed from the last - finished 4th beaten 8 lengths 4/4 1¼ 11-0 10569C125B Mark McDonagh 66/1
02 Mar 26+22d Leopardstown Dublin National Handicap Chase 3m4½f · Yielding To Soft · 13 ran Settled towards the back of the pack - jumping error 3rd dropped further back - briefly improved before 2 out - faded in straight to finish 10th 10/13 2¾ 11-5 108109B99A Mark McDonagh 20/1
08 Feb 26+42d Navan William Hill Each Way Extra Handicap Chase 3m · Heavy · 17 ran Settled just behind the pace - stumbled at the opening fence - dropped away soon after - drifted towards the back from the third - under pressure with nothing left 4 out - eased and withdrawn from the contest shortly after PU/17 — 11-2 110—— Danny Mullins 18/1
2025 · 7 runs
28 Dec 25+8d Limerick Infinity Lifts Handicap Hurdle 3m · Soft To Heavy · 16 ran Sat behind the front group early - disputing second at halfway - dropped away under pressure 5 out - stopped making progress and taken out of the contest before 3 out PU/16 — 11-2 110—— Danny Mullins 20/1
20 Dec 25+14d Thurles Molony Cup Handicap Chase 3m1½f · Yielding · 16 ran Sat close to front early - shared control for a spell before the 4th - held 3rd at halfway - asked for effort after two out but unable to close and stayed on same gear to finish third 3/16 2¾ 11-12 110121B130A Sean O'Keeffe 40/1
06 Dec 25+180d Navan Download The Tote App Foxrock Handicap Chase (0-150) (Listed) 2m4½f · Soft To Heavy · 9 ran Tracked front pack early - 5th at halfway - pressed for effort but found nothing more - blundered before 4 out and lost jockey UR/9 — 9-7 110—— Calum Hogan 25/1
09 Jun 25+29d Roscommon Tote Connacht National Handicap Chase 3m1f · Good · 15 ran Held a forward position early - under pressure and lost ground with 5 to jump - eased and taken out of the race after the next PU/15 — 11-0 114—— Mark McDonagh 12/1
11 May 25+8d Killarney Tote Killarney National Handicap Chase 3m2f · Yielding · 14 ran Settled midfield early - improved into 5th by the 12th before being pushed along with no real threat entering the straight - stayed on same gear to finish 5th 5/14 8½ 10-0 114110B107A Mark McDonagh 18/1
03 May 25+41d Punchestown Oaklodgelandscapes.ie Handicap Chase (0-145) 3m7½f · Yielding · 23 ran Settled in the pack early - pushed along in 11th 3 out - unable to close - well held at the finish 8/23 4½ 10-0 11790C104C Mark McDonagh 20/1
23 Mar 25+233d Limerick SIS Handicap Chase 2m3½f · Yielding To Soft · 9 ran Prominent early - dropped back after 7th - fell further adrift heading to 3 out - well off the pace before 2 out - stayed on late for minor gains - finished 7th 7/9 4½ 11-1 11934B99A Mark McDonagh 11/1
2024 · 7 runs
02 Aug 24+61d Galway Guinness Galway Blazers Handicap Chase 2m6½f · Good To Yielding · 20 ran Held up towards the back - down among the tail near halfway - pulled up after the 5th PU/20 — 10-8 120—— Mark McDonagh 22/1
02 Jun 24+29d Kilbeggan Cooke's Bar & Restaurant Caragh Handicap Chase (0-123) 2m4½f · Good · 11 ran 4/11 6½ 12-0 12074A126A Mark McDonagh 12/1
04 May 24+42d Punchestown Colm Quinn BMW Handicap Chase (0-145) 3m7½f · Soft · 21 ran 1/21 9-13 114116B124A Mark McDonagh 22/1
23 Mar 24+13d Navan Irish Stallion Farms EBF Novice Handicap Chase Final (Listed) 2m7½f · Heavy · 10 ran 3/10 13 10-10 11466B116A Mark McDonagh 20/1
10 Mar 24+24d Limerick Parade Ring Bar Novice Handicap Chase 2m1½f · Soft To Heavy · 8 ran 2/8 13 11-4 11477A114B Mark McDonagh 8/1
15 Feb 24+22d Clonmel Monksgrange Beginners Chase 2m4f · Heavy · 7 ran 3/7 1 11-9 ——116A Daniel King 15/2
24 Jan 24+29d Fairyhouse Fairyhouse For Fundraisers Beginners Chase 2m · Heavy · 9 ran 4/9 7½ 11-9 —97A117A Mark McDonagh 10/1
2023 · 9 runs
26 Dec 23+30d Down Royal Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Beginners Chase 2m4f · Soft · 13 ran PU/13 — 11-9 ——— Mark McDonagh 9/1
26 Nov 23+195d Cork I.N.H. Stallion Owners EBF Beginners Chase 2m5f · Soft · 14 ran PU/14 — 11-7 ——— Gavin Brouder 20/1
15 May 23+19d Killarney M.D. O'Shea & Sons Handicap Hurdle 2m4f · Good · 16 ran 8/16 nse 10-10 119133B119A Mark McDonagh 11/2
26 Apr 23+18d Punchestown Adare Manor Opportunity Series Final Handicap Hurdle (95-123) 2m4f · Yielding · 25 ran 10/25 1½ 11-9 12084B123A Mark McDonagh 22/1
08 Apr 23+22d Fairyhouse I.n.h. Stallion Owners Ebf Novice Handicap Hurdle Series Final (grade B) 3m½f · Yielding · 12 ran 7/12 8 10-5 121106A103A Mark McDonagh 18/1
17 Mar 23+5d Down Royal Powered By Bluegrass Novice Handicap Hurdle 2m4f · Soft To Heavy · 11 ran PU/11 — 11-5 121—— Mark McDonagh 9/2
12 Mar 23+36d Naas Bar One Racing 'Mobile Betting At Cheltenham' Handicap Hurdle 2m3f · Soft · 11 ran 6/11 3 10-2 121126A114A Mark McDonagh 16/5
04 Feb 23+11d Leopardstown Race And Stay At Leopardstown Handicap Hurdle (0-150) (Grade B) 3m · Yielding · 17 ran 4/17 1¼ 10-8 11696B121A Donagh Meyler 25/1
24 Jan 23+26d Down Royal Franciscan Well Rated Novice Hurdle 2m1f · Soft · 9 ran 1/9 11-0 116129B120A Cian Quirke 7/2
2022 · 8 runs
29 Dec 22+207d Leopardstown I.N.H. Stallion Owners EBF Novice Handicap Hurdle (80-130) 2m4f · Soft · 12 ran 6/12 hd 11-3 116—124A Aidan Coleman 13/2
05 Jun 22+20d Kilbeggan Adare Manor Opportunity Maiden Hurdle 2m2½f · Good To Yielding · 16 ran 1/16 11-8 108112B132A Mark McDonagh 7/4F
16 May 22+28d Killarney Broderick Plumbing Maiden Hurdle 2m4f · Good · 16 ran 4/16 2¼ 10-11 108143B116A Mark McDonagh 7/2
18 Apr 22+17d Cork Coolagown Stud Maiden Hurdle 3m½f · Soft To Heavy · 18 ran 5/18 2¼ 11-12 109155B117A Barry Browne 10/3
01 Apr 22+33d Wexford Tomcoole Farm Ltd Maiden Hurdle 2m4f · Good To Yielding · 12 ran 3/12 5 10-11 109117A114A Charlie O'Dwyer 5/2
27 Feb 22+31d Naas Naas Racecourse Handicap Hurdle 1m7½f · Soft · 21 ran UR/21 — 9-12 109—— Mark McDonagh 10/3F
27 Jan 22+10d Gowran Park Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Hurdle (80-123) 2m4½f · Soft · 18 ran 2/18 1¼ 10-10 10670B125A Mark McDonagh 7/2F
17 Jan 22+22d Punchestown Hollywoodbets Daily Boosts Novice Handicap Hurdle (80-109) 2m4½f · Soft · 20 ran 5/20 7½ 11-12 106—119A Barry Browne 17/2
2021 · 5 runs
26 Dec 21+21d Leopardstown TRI Equestrian Novice Handicap Hurdle 2m · Soft · 26 ran 4/26 ¾ 10-6 10590B131A Barry Browne 66/1
05 Dec 21+129d Cork Follow Us On Instagram Maiden Hurdle (Div 2) 2m · Soft · 18 ran 13/18 1½ 11-7 10553C104C Mark McDonagh 33/1
29 Jul 21+20d Galway Guinness Novice Hurdle 2m · Good · 12 ran 6/12 3 10-9 —84A104A Mark McDonagh 66/1
09 Jul 21+45d Cork Fermoy Maiden Hurdle 2m · Good To Yielding · 18 ran 6/18 nk 11-2 —97B107A Mark McDonagh 11/1
25 May 21 Tipperary Follow TipperaryRaces On Twitter Maiden Hurdle (Div 1) 2m · Heavy · 16 ran 3/16 4 11-1 —128B107A Mark McDonagh 5/1

Quick answers

How many races has The Gradual Slope won?
The Gradual Slope (IRE) won 4 of 41 archived starts between 2021 and 2026, a strike rate of 9.8%. Placed 12 times in total (29.3% of starts).
Who trains The Gradual Slope?
The Gradual Slope (IRE) is trained by Sean O O'Brien, who saddled the horse on its most recent run on 7 June 2026.
Who is The Gradual Slope's sire?
The Gradual Slope (IRE) is by Shantou (USA) out of Caltras Theatre (IRE), whose sire is King's Theatre.
What going does The Gradual Slope prefer?
The Gradual Slope (IRE) has the best record on good to soft going: 1 win from 6 starts (16.7%). Only going bands with at least three archived starts are read, so this is a direction rather than a settled preference.
What is The Gradual Slope's official rating?
The most recent official rating on record is 110, from the run on 7 June 2026. The highest on record is 121.
What is The Gradual Slope's sire's record?
Shantou (USA)'s progeny in our archive have won 13.6% of 7,841 runs since Feb 2008 (539 horses), Flat and jumps together. Strongest on good to firm going: 20.3% from 158.
Who are The Gradual Slope's siblings?
Out of Caltras Theatre (IRE), The Gradual Slope (IRE) has 1 other produce in our archive, 1 of them a winner. Most wins: Getaway King (IRE) (3). Highest grade won: Class 5 (Getaway King (IRE)). The wins came over 2m4f–2m5½f. As at Nov 2026.

Record shown from May 2021. Our archive holds racing in Great Britain, Ireland and France from January 2005. Any runs before that, or in other countries, are not in it. In-running comments are available from 2024 onward.