Some racing legends have won the Boyne Hurdle in the past, with the likes of Limestone Lad, Gold Cup winner War Of Attrition, and two-time Grand National hero Tiger Roll all etching their names into the roll of honour.
This year, a former winner of the race, a Grade 1 winning novice hurdler, and a former Gold Cup winner will all take their chances today.
Race info:
- Discipline: Hurdle
- Level: Grade 2
- Distance: 2m6f
- Age: 5yo+
Grade 2 Boyne Hurdle runners
Let’s look at all seven runners in the Boyne Hurdle and what the plan may be for them, not only in the Boyne Hurdle but also in future targets.
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6 Thedevilscoachman
- Age: 9
- Weight: 11st 3lb
- Form: 7243-2
- Rating: 149
- Jockey: Mark Walsh
- Trainer: Noel Meade
- Odds: 3/1
Thedevilscoachman took this race back in 2022 and comes in here on the back of an encouraging run in the Grade 2 Galmoy Hurdle at Gowran Park.
He’s a horse that acts best in deep ground, and with the ground dying out this weekend, the ground may not be as testing as he likes.
It was good to see that he has come back in flying form this season, as last year, he looked like a horse on the downgrade.
If he can back up his second in the Galmoy Hurdle behind the improving Rocky’s Diamond, this talented gelding can make the most of his weight concession today and win his second Galmoy Hurdle.
Former winner of the race Come in here on the back of a good second in the Galmoy Hurdle
Ground may not be as deep as he likes
Star rating: 
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1 Farren Glory
- Age: 8
- Weight: 11st 12lb
- Form: 9-2123
- Rating: 146
- Jockey: Sam Ewing
- Trainer: Gordon Elliott
- Odds: 6/1
A former Grade 1 winning novice hurdler, Farren Glory is having his first start back over the smaller obstacles since his down-the-field finish behind Ballyburn in a Grade 1 novice hurdle at last season’s Dublin Racing Festival.
He has since plied his trade over fences this season, acquitting himself well at graded level.
I can see it being used as a prep race for Farren Glory as he eyes up a crack at one of the novice handicap chases at the Cheltenham Festival.
So the issue here is, how much will Farren Glory be off?
Will they go all out to win, or will they be happy with a good run to blow away any cobwebs before Cheltenham?
I believe it will be the latter, and with him having to give a considerable amount of weight away to his rivals, he may find it challenging to get his head in front today.
Former Grade 1 winning novice hurdler
Much conceded a minimum of nine pounds to his rivals
Star rating:
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5 Minella Indo
- Age: 12
- Weight: 11st 3lb
- Form: 1443-3
- Rating: 152
- Jockey: Rachael Blackmore
- Trainer: Henry de Bromhead
- Odds: 7/1
The former Gold Cup hero Minella Indo has his first run back over hurdles since beating Allaho in a Grade 1 novice hurdle at the 2019 Punchestown Festival.
He is another who will be using this as a prep race for future targets, notably the Grand National in April.
It would be great to see this now 12-year-old run a big race, but the combination of the trip maybe being a bit short of him now and the fact that trainer Henry de Bromhead is going through his traditional barren spell may make it best to leave this former high-class gelding run today and support without investing in him.
Former Gold Cup winner
Having his first start over hurdles since 2019 Trainer is going through a bad spell of form
Star rating:
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4 Meet And Greet
- Age: 9
- Weight: 11st 3lb
- Form: 247/61
- Rating: 144
- Jockey: Phillip Enright
- Trainer: Oliver McKiernan
- Odds: 10/1
Meet And Greet has been a solid performer over the years with some fine Grade 1 performances to his name, notably when third to Home By The Lee in the 2022 Christmas Hurdle and a fourth to Sire Du Berlais in the Liverpool Hurdle at Aintree.
He returned this season from a 593-day absence at Punchestown, finishing down the field, but it wasn’t long before Meet And Greet returned to winning ways on his second start of the season when he went off the outsider of five.
There will always be a case in which Meet And Greet goes off a lot bigger in the betting than he should, and today is another one of these situations.
When you consider who is here having a prep run for future targets and who will be all out to claim victory, Meet And Greet comes here with a live chance of going one place better than he did when second in the 2023 running of this race.
He’s one not to be underestimated and will outrun his odds.
Grade 1 form Placed in the 2023 running of this race
Can get outpaced
Star rating:
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7 Riviere d’Etel
- Age: 8
- Weight: 10st 10lb
- Form: 63-44F
- Rating: 131
- Jockey: Jordon Gainford
- Trainer: Gordon Elliott
- Odds: 10/1
Riviere d’Etel has returned this season with a whimper, managing to finish no better than eight lengths off the winner each of her two starts over hurdles, and then fell on her return to chasing last time out.
She has a lot of talent when she is on song, but it has been a while since we saw her at her best.
Given the weight she is recieveing from her rivals, Riviere d’Etel must be respected, but racing left-handed is far from ideal for this complicated mare.
In receipt of up to 16 pounds
Not as good racing lefthanded Can be a hard ride
Star rating:
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3 Maxxum
- Age: 8
- Weight: 11st 3lb
- Form: -P8446
- Rating: 149
- Jockey: Danny Gilligan
- Trainer: Gordon Elliott
- Odds: 14/1
It’s been a tough season for Maxxum so far, having had to try to mix it with Home By The Lee, Lossiemouth, and Rocky’s Diamond last time out in the Galmoy Hurdle.
He weakened quickly that day, and that isn’t like Maxxum, who is a tough, durable horse.
It may be a telling sign that he is already feeling the effects of his season, and on the back of that run, it’s easy to overlook him today.
May get his way in front
Has to leave a bad run behind him
Star rating:
2 Busselton
- Age: 8
- Weight: 11st 3lb
- Form: PP-066
- Rating: 149
- Jockey: Richard Deegan
- Trainer: Joseph O’Brien
- Odds: 16/1
Busselton is another who is having his first hurdle start for 2023.
Now that he is plying his trade over the cross-country course, this is merely being used as a prep race as they look towards the cross-country race at the Cheltenham Festival.
He shouldn’t have enough to upset the leading players.
Had good hurdles as a juvenile
This will be used as a prep race for the Cheltenham Festival
Star rating:
Boyne Hurdle verdict
With so many in here having eyes on future targets, this may be best left to THEDEVILSCOACHMAN to record his second win in the Boyne Hurdle.
Having not been seen since April 2024, he returned in top form in the Galmoy Hurdle, only finding Rocky’s Diamond too good, and a reproduction of the run should be enough for him to take the prize today.
Meet And Greet is another to consider at a bigger price.
Current Betting: Thedevilscoachman 3/1, Farren Glory 6/1, Minella Indo 7/1, Meet And Greet 10/1, Riviere d’Etel 10/1, Maxxum 14/1, Busselton 16/1.
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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