O'Keeffe encouraged by Workahead before Limestone Lad test

January 22, 2026

Darragh O’Keeffe is encouraged by Workahead’s progress at home, set to make his return to the track this weekend.

The eight-year-old has been absent since finishing last of 11 in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at last year’s Cheltenham Festival.

His trainer Henry de Bromhead reported in stable tours earlier this season the son of Workforce had gone wrong during that race but he was hoping to have him ready for Christmas or just after.

Workahead is expected to reappear in the Grade 3 Limestone Lad Hurdle at Naas on Sunday and O’Keeffe, who has enjoyed the opportunity to sit on him back at the yard, thinks there’s plenty to be positive about.

“He’s in the Limestone Lad at Naas on Sunday. He’s in good order, I schooled him last week. He had a little setback after Cheltenham but he seems to be working well.

“He’s a good horse and that day he won at Leopardstown he had William Munny behind him. I’d say if he was right this year he’d be a contender (for the Champion Hurdle).”

In the colours of Barry Maloney, Workahead was an impressive winner of a maiden hurdle at the Dublin venue on St. Stephen’s Day in 2024.

Seven lengths separated he and William Munny that day who went on to finish runner-up to Kopek Des Bordes in the Supreme.

Workahead does have a Champion Hurdle entry, currently 100/1 with race sponsors Unibet.

Good to hear that Workahead might be back at @NaasRacecourse this weekend.

He’s still entered in the Unibet Champion Hurdle and his 7L defeat of William Munny just over a year ago looks all the more eye-catching now#RoadToCheltenham | @paddypower pic.twitter.com/bRhYXPvcZl

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) January 22, 2026

Ten entries in the Limestone Lad including Elliott’s Casheldale Lad

The Limestone Lad is shaping up to be a decent contest if the main players take their places.

Willie Mullins has landed five of the last six renewals with Joseph O’Brien bucking the trend in 2022 and Closutton have three possibles in the form of Storm Heart, Kel Histoire and Karbau.

Storm Heart is likely to the stable’s first string following a good comeback performance at Limerick over Christmas, beating a solid yardstick in Gordon Elliott’s Riskaway.

His juvenile form is smart, tying in with the likes of Kargese and Majborough, and once upon a time he was sent off the 7/2 favourite in the Triumph Hurdle.

Elliott’s Casheldale Lad is going to be a huge player if declared after running a big race behind Lossiemouth and Brighterdaysahead in the December Hurdle.

He held his own in the Hatton’s Grace Hurdle before falling too and seems to be improving on every outing, just six years of age with plenty of time on his side.

Harry Kelly’s Glen Kiln is another firmly on the up this season, runner-up to El Fabiolo at Punchestown on New Year’s Eve but will have a good bit to find.