August 20 / 15.20 Killarney

15.20

Yielding

Failte Hotel, Bar, Restaurant Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £10907.56
  • 2m 6f 80y
  • 13 runners
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Failte Hotel, Bar, Restaurant Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 13 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

OUR TIP

4/1 (Won)

  • Win: £6.00
  • Place: £2.00

Form: 13/4-P

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 137

Form & Verdict
Lightly-raced since two hurdle wins in 2020; was still in with a chance when blundering 3 out on return at Galway; can do better if none the worse for that mishap.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

1

17th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 4f 0y

14:15 Cork

Finest Evermore

12st 0lb

J: Danny Mullins

T: Paul Hennessy

Four-time winner for Willie Mullins but has struggled in two of her three starts for this yard; needs to improve massively on those poor runs.

16/1

9th

1

17th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 4f 0y

14:15 Cork

Finest Evermore

12st 0lb

J: Danny Mullins

T: Paul Hennessy

soon led narrowly or disputed lead, raced in second 5th, joined leader after 6th

16/1

12/1

  • Place: £6.10

Form: 01-3P3

Last run: 37 days

W: 10st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Tramore maiden winner in April was a decent third over 2m1f here last time; however, this longer trip is a question racing from 2lb out of handicap.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13

12th Nov 2022

Good To Soft

2m 5f 0y

Class 3

15:30 Cheltenham

Alvaro

10st 13lb

J: J J Slevin

T: E McNamara

25/1

10

11th Nov 2022

Good To Soft

2m 5f 0y

Class 3

13:10 Cheltenham

Alvaro

11st 9lb

J: Conor McNamara

T: E McNamara

Seemingly unsuited by worse than good to soft; Tramore maiden winner over 2m in April; improved when taking minor honours in his three handicaps in July-September (up to 2m6f) and not discredited when runner-up to a warm favourite back in a novice on latest outing; considered.

10/1

2nd

3

2nd Oct 2022

Good

2m 6f 180y

14:10 Killarney

Alvaro

11st 3lb

J: Conor McNamara

T: E McNamara

didn't jump with fluency, held up in last, shaken up and some headway before 3 out, kept on and went second before 2 out, no extra when hit last

4/1

11/1

  • Place: £8.00

Form: /1256-

Last run: 112 days

W: 11st 6lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 131

Form & Verdict
Below form on the Flat recently but has a squeak if back to his earlier hurdles form which includes a Grade 3 novice second at Thurles in February.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

20th Aug 2022

Yielding

2m 6f 80y

15:20 Killarney

Berkshire Royal

11st 6lb

J: Jack Foley

T: W P Mullins

prominent, not fluent 3 out, soon edged right and bumped rival then pushed along, made challenge 2 out, ridden but no extra when squeezed out approaching last

11/1

6th

7

(1)

13th Aug 2022

Yielding

2m 0f 50y

19:30 Tramore

Berkshire Royal

9st 3lb

J: Jake Coen

T: W P Mullins

prominent, pushed along over 2f out, weakened over 1f out

20/1

Form: 934-P4 D

Last run: 13 days

W: 11st 6lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 131

Form & Verdict
Five-time winner put up a respectable run in blinkers at Downpatrick last time; the headgear is left off but has more to do back in handicap company.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

20th Aug 2022

Yielding

2m 6f 80y

15:20 Killarney

Nibblers Charm

11st 6lb

J: Simon Torrens

T: Ray Hackett

midfield, dropped to rear 8th, pushed along after 4 out, some headway 3 out, soon ridden, chased leaders 2 out, not fluent last, kept on

14/1

11th

14

(19)

29th Jul 2022

Good To Yielding

1m 6f 14y

20:40 Galway

Nibblers Charm

9st 10lb

J: Scott McCullagh

T: Ray Hackett

midfield, pushed along and dropped to rear 3f out, no impression home turn

20/1

Form: 37-585

Last run: 13 days

W: 10st 0lb

5 yo Mare

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Is 1-13 over hurdles; been dropping down the weights in the last year but still needs more from 2lb out of the handicap.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

2nd Jul 2023

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 2

15:52 Uttoxeter

Merry Poppins

10st 12lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

midfield, not fluent 7th

6/1

3rd

1

27th May 2023

Good

2m 1f 46y

Class 3

14:15 Cartmel

Merry Poppins

12st 0lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

led, headed and prominent before 2nd, chased clear leader 4th

13/8

3rd

13

13th May 2023

Good To Soft

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

13:35 Haydock

Merry Poppins

10st 9lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

Ex-Irish mare who finished second on three of her four starts for Donald McCain last season (all in cheekpieces), most recently when going close in series final at Cheltenham (2m4f, good) last month; still unexposed over 3m; a possible if today's headgear switch has any beneficial effect.

14/1

Form: 527P-3

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 129

Form & Verdict
Generally consistent type disappointed at Cheltenham but a decent run on soft at Galway last time over 2m7f; this shorter trip on better ground will suit, so one to be interested in.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

23rd May 2026

Good

3m 0f 30y

Class 2

16:10 Bangor-on-Dee

Mars Harper

11st 4lb

J: Jamie Gambin

T: Sarah Humphrey

Left Gordon Elliott after disappointing hurdle run last autumn; well beaten again on stable debut in March but, after wind surgery, he returned to chasing with a good second at Fakenham (3m, good) 19 days ago; has possibilities if he can build on that but his last win was in 2023.

7/1

2nd

2

4th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 38y

Class 2

16:03 Fakenham

Mars Harper

11st 0lb

J: Jamie Gambin

T: Sarah Humphrey

Left Gordon Elliott after disappointing hurdle run last autumn and was again well beaten when returning for new stable in March; given a wind op since and reverts to chasing on a workable mark but still looks risky.

20/1

6th

3

8th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 2f 0y

Class 3

16:13 Warwick

Mars Harper

11st 8lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Sarah Humphrey

Best known as a chaser these days and was tailed off back over hurdles on his final run for Gordon Elliott, whom he left for £30,000; on a good mark but there's much to prove on first sighting since October.

9/1

Form: -31917 C

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 1lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 126

Form & Verdict
C&D winner in July disappointed over further at Galway since but then ran a fine race when just held on the Flat at Tramore; one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

23rd Oct 2022

Yielding To Soft

2m 6f 100y

15:00 Limerick

Molly Wedger

10st 9lb

J: Brian Hayes

T: Dermot P O’Brien

midfield, dropped to last but in touch with leaders when jumped left and mistake 3 out, weakened 2 out

14/1

3rd

1

9th Sep 2022

Good

2m 5f 181y

17:35 Ballinrobe

Molly Wedger

11st 12lb

J: Kieran Callaghan

T: Dermot P O’Brien

soon raced in second, jumped slightly left and not fluent 2 out, soon lost second and pushed along, kept on, no match for first two

9/1

7th

7

20th Aug 2022

Yielding

2m 6f 80y

15:20 Killarney

Molly Wedger

11st 1lb

J: Brian Hayes

T: Dermot P O’Brien

prominent, led after 5th, headed when not fluent 3 out, soon outpaced, weakened after 2 out

7/1

Form: 63P/0-

Last run: 386 days

W: 11st 1lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 126

Form & Verdict
Was in poor form when last seen over hurdles a year ago and looked reluctant on the Flat at Galway last time, though ran well here previously; risky.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

18th Mar 2023

Soft

2m 7f 70y

Class 2

14:25 Uttoxeter

Lynwood Gold

11st 2lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Brian Barr

Sprang a surprise on just his second run for this yard when coming 6l clear at Lingfield (2m7f, soft) and was running well (though wouldn't have won) when falling late on at Exeter (good); something has clicked and he could outrun his odds.

33/1

2

12th Feb 2023

Good

2m 7f 25y

Class 2

16:00 Exeter

Lynwood Gold

11st 9lb

J: Bradley Roberts

T: Brian Barr

in touch with leaders, nudged along from 6th, ridden before 3 out, keeping on but held when fell last

6/1

Form: 1910-5

Last run: 24 days

W: 10st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Won twice over hurdles last year before his form tailed-off; got tired on first hurdle run of the season over this trip at Galway; interesting that he tries it again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

7

(1)

25th Sep 2025

Standard

1m 4f 98y

Class 6

17:30 Newcastle (AW)

Flying Scotsman

9st 8lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Ben Haslam

Scored over C&D in January off just 1lb lower; absent since a heavy defeat over hurdles in May but the January win came after a 95-day break; visor the headgear of choice today; more appealing than many.

4/1

1

28th May 2025

Good To Soft

2m 6f 31y

Class 4

18:40 Cartmel

Flying Scotsman

12st 0lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Ben Haslam

Seen only once over hurdles since 2023, when pulled up last summer, and his AW win in January came in a low-grade handicap; needs to prove he can still be competitive off a mark this high over jumps.

20/1

1

28th May 2025

Good To Soft

2m 6f 31y

Class 4

18:40 Cartmel

Flying Scotsman

12st 0lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Ben Haslam

Seen only once over hurdles since 2023, when pulled up last summer, and his AW win in January came in a low-grade handicap; needs to prove he can still be competitive off a mark this high over jumps.

20/1

Form: 5-9236

Last run: 20 days

W: 10st 3lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Record of 1-11 over hurdles; found 3m too far at Galway last time but has a chance on earlier run over 2m4f here; cheekpieces worn last time are retained.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

6

3rd Oct 2024

Yielding

2m 3f 206y

15:20 Clonmel

Summer Tide

10st 12lb

J: Philip Byrnes

T: C Byrnes

Chase winner in March and couple of good runs in that sphere since but his recent hurdling efforts have been moderate and was well held in similar contest at Sligo in June.

9/1

7th

13

19th Jul 2024

Good

2m 6f 180y

15:05 Killarney

Summer Tide

10st 1lb

J: Sean O’Keeffe

T: C Byrnes

Hurdle and chase winner; fair third over fences last time and stays this far; 12lb lower over hurdles but been a while since he's shown worthwhile form in this discipline.

10/1

12/1

Form: 21-

Last run: 323 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
A 90-rated Flat winner was last seen winning a Gowran maiden over 2m in October for Joseph O'Brien; stamina to be taken on trust over this trip on seasonal/stable debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

1

(4)

22nd Dec 2023

Standard

2m 0f 0y

18:30 Dundalk (AW)

Vultan

10st 2lb

J: Siobhan Rutledge

T: A J Martin

Hasn't won on the Flat since a 1m4f success on turf back in 2021; ran okay over 1m4f here a fortnight ago on all-weather debut and well worth another go at this trip.

12/1

4th

6

(2)

8th Dec 2023

Standard

1m 4f 0y

20:30 Dundalk (AW)

Vultan

8st 7lb

J: Siobhan Rutledge

T: A J Martin

Useful handicapper on turf in 2021 when he also won over hurdles; unable to make much impact under either code this year and now makes AW debut.

12/1

Form: 303-33 CD

Last run: 67 days

W: 10st 8lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
C&D winner has been in decent form over fences lately without winning; is still 3lb above last winning hurdles mark but is considered.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

14

4th Aug 2023

Good To Yielding

2m 6f 111y

18:00 Galway

Snugsborough Hall

10st 12lb

J: Brian Hayes

T: Liam P Cusack

Best days are presumably behind him at the age of 12 but he won a point-to-point in April and was competitive in a recent Wexford handicap; stayed on for second in a 2m4f contest with less depth than this event.

20/1

2nd

7

7th Jul 2023

Good

2m 3f 170y

19:23 Wexford

Snugsborough Hall

10st 10lb

J: Brian Hayes

T: Liam P Cusack

midfield, headway from 3 out, pushed along and went third 2 out, went second last, ridden and ran on well final 110yds, just held

12/1

4th

7

12th Jun 2023

Good

3m 0f 52y

17:13 Roscommon

Snugsborough Hall

10st 13lb

J: Kieran Callaghan

T: Liam P Cusack

It's been two years since his last success under rules but he looked on good terms with himself when winning his latest point and was only beaten 2l in this 12 months ago off 5lb higher; not ruled out.

20/1

Form: P-P535 C

Last run: 14 days

W: 11st 3lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 128

Form & Verdict
Ran three times within a week at the start of the month, with not bad efforts in conditions hurdles last twice; more needed back in handicap company.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

20th Aug 2022

Yielding

2m 6f 80y

15:20 Killarney

Doctor Duffy

11st 3lb

J: Philip Byrnes

T: C Byrnes

towards rear of midfield, bumped first turn, ridden before 3 out, pulled up quickly after 3 out, fatally injured

14/1

5th

4

6th Aug 2022

Good

3m 1f 0y

18:55 Kilbeggan

Doctor Duffy

11st 0lb

J: Philip Byrnes

T: C Byrnes

midfield, pushed along and went third on outer after 2 out, soon ridden, no extra and lost two places inside final 110yds

14/1

3rd

5

1st Aug 2022

Good To Yielding

3m 0f 0y

17:08 Cork

Doctor Duffy

11st 0lb

J: Philip Byrnes

T: C Byrnes

raced in last, not fluent 2nd, not fluent 9th, ridden after 4 out, went third after 3 out, not fluent 2 out, soon no impression, no match for first two

16/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €114.60
Straight Forecast €83.68
Tricast €1649.82
Trifecta €856.80

Selections

TOPSPEED:

Flying Scotsman

SPOTLIGHT:

Mars Harper

RP Ratings (IRE):

Finest Evermore

POSTDATA:

Summer Tide

The Irish Sun:

Flying Scotsman