Gowran Park in Ireland hosted a qualifier for the Albert Bartlett Triple Crown Series at Punchestown Festival 2026 on Saturday, February 14th, with a heavy going and a €15,000 prize pool. The Albert Bartlett Triple Crown Series is a significant event in the National Hunt calendar, and this qualifier provided a crucial stepping stone for horses aiming for success at the Punchestown Festival.
The Albert Bartlett Triple Crown Series At Punchestown Festival 2026 Qualifier Handicap Hurdle, run over a distance of 2 miles and 4 furlongs 40 yards, attracted 14 runners vying for the winner’s share of €9,000. The race, which took place at 14:30:34 local time, saw Teed Up (IRE) emerge victorious with a Sky Bet SP of 28/1, completing the course in 5 minutes and 45.20 seconds. The going was reported as heavy, adding an extra challenge for both horses and jockeys.
Race Results and Key Performances
Teed Up, a 9-year-old gelding trained by E Mullins and ridden by Ricky Doyle, secured the win after a performance that saw the horse positioned towards the rear of mid-division before making a push along the course. Grandero Bello (FR), trained by E & P Harty and ridden by Kieren Buckley, finished second, while Grimaud (FR), trained by G Elliott and ridden by Josh Williamson, took third place.
Grimaud (FR) demonstrated a strong performance, tracking the leaders and taking the lead approaching the last fence, ultimately drawing clear to secure a commendable third-place finish. Quest With Speed (IRE), ridden by Jordan Gainford, and Themanintheanorak (IRE), ridden by Michael Kenneally, likewise participated, though they faced challenges during the race. Themanintheanorak (IRE) experienced a terrible mistake two out, hindering its chances of a strong finish.
Detailed Seem at the Top Three Finishers
Teed Up (IRE): The winner, aged 9, carried a weight of 12-1 and had an Official Rating of 123. The horse’s form leading up to the race was 110/480. Sky Sports provides a detailed racecard with further information.
Grandero Bello (FR): Finishing second, the 10-year-old carried a weight of 12-0 with an Official Rating of 122. Its recent form was 180P/54. The horse tracked the leaders and made headway into fifth before a moderate finish.
Grimaud (FR): Securing third place, the 6-year-old carried 11-12 and had an Official Rating of 120. Its form was 05246F. The horse showed strong momentum, taking the lead before the last fence and maintaining a clear run-in.
Going Conditions and Future Prospects
The heavy going at Gowran Park presented a significant test for the horses, impacting their performance and requiring skillful navigation from the jockeys. The unsettled forecast, with the possibility of up to 10mm of rain before racing, contributed to the challenging conditions. Horse Racing Ireland confirmed the going conditions and weather forecast.
The Albert Bartlett Triple Crown Series continues to be a key focus for National Hunt trainers and owners, with the Punchestown Festival representing the ultimate goal. The performance of these horses at Gowran Park will undoubtedly influence their preparation and strategies for future races in the series. A replay of the race is available on Racing TV for those who missed the live action.
The next steps for these horses will depend on their connections’ plans, but the Albert Bartlett Triple Crown Series at Punchestown Festival remains the primary target for many. The competitive nature of this qualifier suggests a thrilling continuation of the series, with further exciting races to come.
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