Wexford, Thursday 23 July 2026 — Tips & Selections

Wexford, Thursday 23 July 2026 — Tips & Selections

A summer Thursday at Wexford, good ground, and three races to pick through. The card is maiden hurdle territory with a ladies handicap to close things out, and as ever the big yards set the market tone. Willie Mullins posts a 25% strike rate at this track, Henry De Bromhead 19%, so their runners command respect even at short prices. The question is always whether the market has already priced in every advantage, or whether there’s a seam of value to exploit elsewhere. With 16 and 17-runner fields on the first two races, each-way punting makes serious sense.

4:00 — Kilmore Quay (C & G) Maiden Hurdle (2m½f)

Sixteen runners, a slog of a maiden, and the two market principals are both from the right addresses. Highland Realm (5yo, Mullins/Sean O’Keeffe) opened at 3/1 and that reflects Mullins’ consistent 25% course record. The form reads 2-5, which means he ran well on debut and didn’t disgrace himself second time. Mullins routinely targets these provincial maidens with horses that have learned enough to win at the second or third attempt.

Against him, Chasing Blues (10/3, De Bromhead/Darragh O’Keeffe) makes the frame on trainer stats alone. De Bromhead clicks at 19% here and O’Keeffe knows the track inside out with a 15% course record. The form 8/S-4 isn’t flashy but a fourth last time in a better race than this suggests he’s capable of going close on good ground.

The selection here is Highland Realm at 3/1. Mullins’ A/E of 0.8 at Wexford means you’re not getting a huge overlay versus expectation, but the yard targets these races to win and a twice-raced five-year-old with a placed run on debut ticks every box for a yard that likes to get horses off the mark at this level before raising their sights.

At 8/1, Drumconnor Hill Each-Way (Cian Collins/Ben Harvey) is worth a small saver. Form of P2-84 shows a placed run in there and at 9/1 with Betfred in a 16-runner field paying three places, the each-way case is solid at that price.

4:35 — Mares Maiden Hurdle (2m4f)

Seventeen mares over two and a half miles on good ground. Again, the market revolves around the big yards, and rightly so. Are You Around (Mullins/Brian Hayes) at 5/2 has run three times, showing 3-9-2 form, and that runner-up finish suggests she’s getting closer to winning one of these. Mullins’ runners from this grade often come on markedly for their seasonal reappearance and a mare with a placed run in her locker is dangerous at this level.

However, the value angle sits with Lilannbee Each-Way at 3/1 (S G Carey/Michael Kenneally). The form figures 52166 tell a story of consistent competitiveness. She’s placed or won in three of five starts, with that “1” deep in her record showing she knows how to get her head in front. In a wide-open mares maiden with 17 runners, a mare this exposed in terms of positive form holds real appeal. The 3/1 price from Boyle Sports looks fair rather than generous, but with three places on offer the each-way case is there.

Miss Jocund (De Bromhead/Darragh O’Keeffe) at 13/2 is interesting from a trainer-jockey perspective. De Bromhead at 19% here and O’Keeffe a capable partner, though the 335-95 record shows a mare that has been placed without winning. In a field this size, she’s a legitimate each-way danger.

Selection: Lilannbee at 3/1 each-way, with Are You Around the main danger and Miss Jocund the yard booking.

5:10 — Wexford Racecourse Ladies Handicap Hurdle (2m4f)

Sixteen runners, four places paid, and a race where the form book carries more weight than the maiden races above. This is where the handicapper’s art meets amateur jockeyship and things get genuinely interesting.

Sean Mc (Paul Nolan/Sarah Kavanagh) at 9/2 Boyle Sports or 4/1 Betfred is the selection. The form 2715-3 is the standout record in the field. A winner in there, placed finishes on either side of it, and a third last time out. Nolan is at 0/4 in the past 14 days at course, which is a slight flag, but his overall 15% Wexford record with an A/E of 0.98 suggests the yard is operating close to par across the season. The 4/1 available with Betfred is the best price and represents genuine handicap value for a horse whose most recent form is encouraging.

Costanuci at 6/1 is the each-way alternative. A nine-year-old mare with 45P-85 form might not be the most inspiring sequence but in a wide amateur field on good ground, the placed record is worth noting and four places at 1/5 means hitting the frame pays out.

Empire Walk (J Motherway/Miss J Townend) at 3/1 is the market leader and Miss Townend’s 26% course win rate with an A/E of 1.42 is genuinely compelling. She is comfortably the best-performing jockey at Wexford by A/E among those riding today. The form 52P-34 is decent and she can clearly win this. At 3/1, though, the market has found her and the value has been squeezed. Sean Mc at 4/1 offers a better price for only a small dip in quality.

Today’s NAP

Sean Mc — Wexford Racecourse Ladies Handicap Hurdle (5:10, Wexford)
Odds: 4/1 — Betfred (others: 9/2 Boyle Sports, 4/1 LiveScore Bet)

The best recent form in the field. A winner on his record, placed multiple times, and third last time out suggests a horse in decent nick heading into a competitive ladies handicap. Paul Nolan’s 15% course strike rate with an A/E close to level means the yard is not over-represented in the market, and at 4/1 with four places on offer, Sean Mc makes clear each-way appeal in a 16-runner handicap.

Each-Way Recommended 4 places at 1/5 odds