A field of sixteen horses is set to compete in the Easter Festival 4th – 6th April Handicap Hurdle at Fairyhouse racecourse in County Meath, Ireland, on Saturday, February 21, 2026. The 2m 4f 50y race, scheduled to begin at 14:41, will be run on heavy turf and offers a total prize fund of €11,500, with €6,899 awarded to the winner.
Among the contenders is Blow Wind Blow, a five-year-classic gelding carrying 11-12 in weight and ridden by Mark Walsh, trained by E Bolger. The horse recently achieved a career-best win in a novice hurdle at Thurles 23 days prior, a performance that positions it as a strong contender in its first handicap race. Seeitoldya, a five-year-old gelding with a weight of 11-7 and jockey Gavin Brouder, will be making its debut for trainer J J Hanlon after transferring from Ellmarie Holden. Survivors Sister, a seven-year-old mare carrying 11-7 and ridden by Jack Gilligan, is also entered, following a recent winning performance at Limerick 11 days ago.
Cathryns Ruby, a nine-year-old mare with a weight of 11-5 and jockey Sean O’Keeffe, secured a win in a hurdle race at Wexford in October and recently placed third in a handicap hurdle at Fairyhouse 18 days ago. Midleton Rare, an eight-year-old gelding carrying 11-3 and ridden by Keith Donoghue, is a course and distance winner but experienced a pulled-up result in a handicap chase at Fairyhouse 37 days ago, reverting to hurdles for this race. Westernersunrise, a seven-year-old gelding with a weight of 11-3 and jockey Philip Donovan, also enters the competition.
Other horses competing include Reve Inoui, Jinxs Link, Embrace The Day, Sky And Sand and Kinturk Nelson. The race is being shown on RTV.
