Race Preview

4:55 Punchestown

Saturday 6 June 2026 ·18 runners KTB Selection: Forlio

A big-field maiden hurdle over 2m3f55y at Punchestown on good to yielding ground features 18 runners, several with solid placed form behind them but lacking the winning breakthrough. The KTB numbers highlight a competitive top section led by Forlio, while the likes of Petit Secret, Angelo Dundee and Frankie's Freebie bring useful figures and recent experience. Overall the race looks winnable for a horse stepping forward on these terms, with the KTB Fit assessments pointing to a small core of principals who can fight this out.

How the race shapes up

The pace shape suggests a truly-run affair with enough early speed to ensure a genuine test. Several runners prefer to track the pace, and with a few confirmed front-runners likely to go forward, the race should unfold at a proper gallop. The key question is whether any of the higher-rated principals can quicken off that pace or whether a more patient hold-up performer will pick them up late.

The KTB Fit ranking

  1. 1Forlio0/100
  2. 2Petit Secret0/100
  3. 3Angelo Dundee0/100
  4. 4Frankie's Freebie0/100
  5. 5Little Big John0/100
  6. 6Brother Walfrid0/100
  7. 7Minella Jackpot0/100
  8. 8Vangaway0/100
  9. 9Backinbusiness0/100
  10. 10Rosenborg0/100
  11. 11Switched On0/100
  12. 12Siofra Beag0/100
  13. 13Kilmond Knight0/100
  14. 14Ri Ra0/100
  15. 15Ol Parson0/100
  16. 16Misery Hill0/100
  17. 17Marble Rile0/100
  18. 18Phoenix Lights0/100

The contenders

Forlio KTB Fit 0/100

Paul W Flynn · Benjamin P Kennedy(7)

Forlio arrives with the KTB selection tag and is taken to get the job done. His RPR of 98 and TS of 79 suggest a fair level of ability for a maiden at this trip. The Paul W Flynn yard and Benjamin P Kennedy combination will be relied upon to produce the necessary improvement. With no recent form figures supplied he comes into this relatively fresh. His ability is respected and the KTB material marks him as the one to beat on these terms.

Petit Secret KTB Fit 0/100

Form /1/38- · W P Mullins · Anna McGuinness(7)

Petit Secret holds the best RPR of 116 in the field along with a TS of 94 and looks a major player. Recent form of /1/38- shows a win and two placed efforts, underlining his consistency. The first-time headgear is now applied by the powerful W P Mullins stable. Anna McGuinness takes the ride with her 7lb claim. On going and at this trip he should be suited, and his class edges him close to the selection.

Angelo Dundee KTB Fit 0/100

Form 4/23-3 · Henry De Bromhead · Mike O'Connor

Angelo Dundee boasts the highest official figures in the line-up with an RPR of 124 and TS of 101. His recent form reads 4/23-3, indicating steady placed form without yet getting his head in front. Henry De Bromhead is the trainer and Mike O'Connor takes the mount. He has shown enough ability to suggest he is up to winning a race of this nature if the run-style allows him to be prominent enough. The KTB assessment rates him firmly in the mix.

Frankie's Freebie KTB Fit 0/100

Form 32240- · Adrian Sexton · Harry Sexton(7)

Frankie's Freebie comes to this with an RPR of 118 and a strong TS of 110. Recent form of 32240- demonstrates consistent placed efforts and he should be in the shake-up again. Adrian Sexton trains and his son Harry takes the ride with a 7lb claim. The horse has shown a liking for this type of trip and should handle the going. His ability places him right among the principals according to the KTB material.

Little Big John KTB Fit 0/100

Form P0- · Maike Magnussen · Eoghan Finegan(7)

Little Big John is the lowest-rated of the principals on an RPR of 66 and TS of 11. Recent form of P0- is modest, but he now tries first-time headgear in a bid to spark improvement. Maike Magnussen is the trainer and Eoghan Finegan claims 7lb. While his ability is modest on current figures, the KTB assessment still includes him in the top five and he cannot be entirely dismissed in a maiden if the headgear works.

The rest of the field

Brother WalfridKTB Fit 0/100

Brother Walfrid has strong figures with an RPR of 124 and TS of 102. Recent form of P22-4 shows consistent placed efforts. Gordon Elliott trains and Kevin Sexton rides.

Minella JackpotKTB Fit 0/100

Minella Jackpot has recent form of 20/P- but no current RPR or TS. John J Nallen is the trainer and Peter Smithers claims 7lb.

VangawayKTB Fit 0/100

Vangaway is modest on figures with an RPR of 64 and TS of 48. Recent form is 00-. M A Gunn trains and Niall Moore claims 5lb.

BackinbusinessKTB Fit 0/100

Backinbusiness has an RPR of 109 but a modest TS of 52. Recent form reads P3-4. P J Rothwell trains with P J O'Hanlon in the saddle.

RosenborgKTB Fit 0/100

Rosenborg has recent form of P3- but no current RPR or TS figures. P J Rothwell is the trainer and John Shinnick rides.

Switched OnKTB Fit 0/100

Switched On showed one run of 6- and has no current RPR or TS. Peter John Flood trains with Liam McKenna claiming 3lb.

Siofra BeagKTB Fit 0/100

Siofra Beag is a 4-year-old with recent form of P and no RPR or TS. M M Rice trains and James Smith claims 5lb.

Kilmond KnightKTB Fit 0/100

Kilmond Knight has recent form of P-U and no current figures. David Richard Barry is the trainer and Shane Fitzgerald rides.

Ri RaKTB Fit 0/100

Ri Ra has an RPR of 98 and TS of 56. Recent form is 970-0. Riceal Dunne trains with Brian Barry claiming 7lb.

Ol ParsonKTB Fit 0/100

Ol Parson has recent form of PP2-4 but no current RPR or TS. Maike Magnussen trains and Alan O'Sullivan claims 7lb.

Misery HillKTB Fit 0/100

Misery Hill holds an RPR of 84 and TS of 55. Recent form is 8-0. Gordon Elliott trains with Paddy Cleary claiming 7lb.

Marble RileKTB Fit 0/100

Marble Rile tries first-time headgear but has no recent form figures or current RPR and TS supplied. Norman Lee trains and Philip Donovan claims 3lb.

Phoenix LightsKTB Fit 0/100

Phoenix Lights has no recent form figures, RPR or TS supplied. D M Christie is the trainer and Ben Harvey rides.

KTB verdict

Forlio is the KTB selection and is expected to come out on top in what looks a winnable maiden. His ability is respected and the stable and jockey combination are taken to deliver at the right moment. The main dangers are Petit Secret, whose RPR of 116 and first-time headgear make him a big threat, and Angelo Dundee who has the highest figures on display. Frankie's Freebie with his strong TS of 110 cannot be ignored either, while Brother Walfrid from the Elliott yard adds further depth to a race where several can be given a chance.

KTB Selection Forlio

Morning odds

Best available price per runner, captured 06:25 UTC, 6 Jun. These are a morning snapshot and will have moved — see the live racecard for current prices.

RunnerMorning priceBookmaker
Forlio40/1Bet365
Petit Secret3/1BetTom
Angelo Dundee13/8BetTom
Frankie's Freebie7/1BetTom
Little Big John150/1BetTom
Brother Walfrid2/1BetTom
Minella Jackpot33/1BetTom
Vangaway150/1BetTom
Backinbusiness7/1BetTom
Rosenborg33/1BetTom
Switched On40/1BetTom
Siofra Beag150/1BetTom
Kilmond Knight200/1William Hill
Ri Ra150/1BetTom
Ol Parson40/1Bet365
Misery Hill50/1BetTom
Marble Rile66/1BetTom
Phoenix Lights28/1Bet365

Questions about this race

Which horse is the KTB Selection?

Forlio

What is the highest RPR in the field?

Angelo Dundee has the highest RPR on 124

Which runners are wearing first-time headgear?

Petit Secret, Little Big John and Marble Rile

Who trains the top-rated horse on RPR?

Henry De Bromhead trains Angelo Dundee

What recent form does the selection Forlio have listed?

No recent form figures are supplied

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