August 05 / 18.20 Roscommon

18.20

Yielding

DNG Ivan Connaughton Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £5607.44
  • 3m 0f 0y
  • 17 runners
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DNG Ivan Connaughton Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 17 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

10/1 (Won)

  • Win: £6.50
  • Place: £2.00

Form: 90-513

Last run: 56 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Won over 2m5f at Tramore in May and another good run at Sligo (3m2f), for all that he was 11l off the winner; possibilities.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

29th Sep 2025

Yielding

3m 0f 25y

16:00 Roscommon

Mags Nelson

11st 2lb

J: Danny Gilligan

T: Ross O’Sullivan

Won over C&D on his penultimate start (gd-yld); hit with 8lb hike and subsequently struggled at Killarney (22.5f, good); return to this track a plus but a bit to prove off current mark.

10/1

12

23rd Aug 2025

Good

2m 6f 80y

15:05 Killarney

Mags Nelson

10st 8lb

J: Danny Gilligan

T: Ross O’Sullivan

Won over 2m5f at Tramore in May (good to yielding) and another good run at Sligo when an 11l third of 15 (3m2f, good); kept on well to win at Roscommon last time (3m, good to yielding); up 8lb but he is an improving 6yo.

6/1

1st

8

5th Aug 2025

Yielding

3m 0f 0y

18:20 Roscommon

Mags Nelson

11st 4lb

J: Danny Gilligan

T: Ross O’Sullivan

Won over 2m5f at Tramore in May and another good run at Sligo (3m2f), for all that he was 11l off the winner; possibilities.

10/1

8/1

  • Place: £1.30

Form: 366-32 BF

Last run: 57 days

W: 11st 1lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Placed in handicap chases the last twice, the latest here over 2m; stays 2m4f but didn't appear to stay about 3m when he tried it once before over hurdles and he has a Flat pedigree.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

9th Oct 2025

Soft

2m 4f 73y

15:50 Tramore

Inthenickoftime

11st 4lb

J: Simon Torrens

T: E Bolger

Won a handicap hurdle at Wexford last summer and several promising efforts this year, including over timber at Roscommon in August when only finding one too good; may have won that without a bad mistake late and arrives on the back of a facile success over fences at Galway on Tuesday; should go well from lower hurdle mark.

5/2

1st

3

7th Oct 2025

Yielding

2m 2f 54y

16:50 Galway

Inthenickoftime

11st 8lb

J: Simon Torrens

T: E Bolger

Placed in all his chase runs (handicaps), going close in the latest at Roscommon (2m, good); failed to exploit a lower hurdle mark back there last time but still ran very well; solid chance.

7/4

7/1

  • Place: £1.90

Form: 741U41

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 1lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Comfortable winner over fences at Killarney (2m7f, yielding to soft) and also won over hurdles in June (2m1f, good to yielding); versatile on several counts and can cope with this sort of mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

10

21st May 2026

Good To Yielding

3m 0f 150y

20:18 Limerick

Smallcraftwarning

11st 0lb

J: Daniel King

T: John Patrick Ryan

Won at Killarney last July off 12lb lower; respectable run in Cork National (3m4f, gd-yld) off 106 (3lb wrong) last November; pulled up back there three weeks later; out of depth in Killarney National on return from break latest; these are calmer waters and could rebound.

18/1

8th

13

9th May 2026

Good

3m 2f 0y

16:45 Killarney

Smallcraftwarning

10st 0lb

J: Harry Sexton

T: John Patrick Ryan

Sole chase win came at this track over 2m7f last year; some decent runs in defeat since but faces a tough task here on return from 8lb out of the handicap.

33/1

4th

12

2nd Nov 2025

Good To Yielding

3m 4f 0y

15:20 Cork

Smallcraftwarning

10st 0lb

J: Daniel King

T: John Patrick Ryan

Went up 9lb for a Killarney win in July; ran poorly at the same venue in August; more like it again when second to a well-handicapped horse at Punchestown; again runner-up at Galway last Sunday (10l clear of the third) and at Thurles on Thursday; 3lb out of the handicap in this more demanding company.

14/1

8/1

  • Place: £2.50

Form: /3-0B2

Last run: 23 days

W: 10st 10lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Hasn't won for a good while but steadied the ship with a second at Perth (3m, good) and the winner of that race is improving.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

1st Oct 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 5f 27y

15:35 Sligo

Rebellious Gale

11st 12lb

J: Kevin Sexton

T: A J Martin

Record of 1-21 over hurdles but some decent efforts in defeat recently; the best of three chase efforts came when a 10l third in a Bangor handicap last year; needs more.

6/1

4

20th Sep 2025

Yielding

2m 3f 0y

15:10 Navan

Rebellious Gale

11st 9lb

J: Daniel King

T: A J Martin

Has hit the frame the last twice in 3m handicaps at Roscommon (gd-yld) and Perth (good); handles soft but this trip may be on the sharp side; due to run 4.26 Downpatrick on Friday.

13/2

Form: 3/P7-8 D

Last run: 33 days

W: 11st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Won two Perth handicaps in 2023, at 2m4f and 3m; lightly raced during the last two years and hasn't been at that level.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

5

29th Mar 2026

Yielding To Soft

2m 5f 185y

15:52 Downpatrick

Themanintheboots

11st 6lb

J: James Smith

T: Gordon Elliott

Bagged third career hurdles win at Navan in November (2m4f, soft to heavy) off 98; poor in four starts since; needs to bounce back.

12/1

3rd

4

4th Mar 2026

Heavy

2m 6f 20y

15:52 Naas

Themanintheboots

11st 0lb

J: James Smith

T: Gordon Elliott

Bagged third career hurdles win at Navan in November (2m4f, soft to heavy) off 98; poor in three starts since (one over fences); needs to bounce back to his best and others better treated.

8/1

7th

2

8th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 5f 180y

15:20 Navan

Themanintheboots

11st 10lb

J: James Smith

T: Gordon Elliott

Won over 2m4f here in November (heavy), his third career win over hurdles; pulled up off 10lb higher back here next time (3m1f, sft-hvy) and then well beaten in a beginners' chase at Punchestown latest; needs to bounce back.

8/1

Form: 1105-7 CD

Last run: 11 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Essentially disappointing since September's 3m win over C&D (soft) and still 9lb higher than that day.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

9

30th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 100y

17:00 Listowel

Its Not Over Yet

11st 2lb

J: James Duggan

T: Oliver McKiernan

Won two 3m hurdles in 2024; some fine runs in defeat last year, but was poor on chase debut making her return at Limerick; some improvement back over hurdles at Bellewstown last time, but improvement required.

14/1

5th

11

18th Apr 2026

Yielding

3m 0f 5y

17:00 Bellewstown

Its Not Over Yet

11st 9lb

J: Mr L P Shanahan

T: Oliver McKiernan

Won twice over hurdles in 2024 over this trip; some fine runs in defeat last year but was poor on chase debut last time making her return; can do better back in this sphere.

8/1

4th

5

31st Mar 2026

Soft

2m 1f 200y

18:42 Limerick

Its Not Over Yet

10st 8lb

J: Phillip Enright

T: Oliver McKiernan

Two hurdle wins in 2024 and some good efforts in defeat last year; makes her chase debut after a break and others make more appeal.

8/1

Form: 418-53

Last run: 19 days

W: 11st 3lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
Both wins came last season over 2m5f at Limerick; back to form when third at Killarney but might be a shade high in the weights.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

18th Nov 2025

Heavy

3m 0f 100y

15:05 Limerick

Hees Dynamite

12st 0lb

J: Patrick M O’Brien

T: E McNamara

Has been running over fences, exploiting an initially favourable mark (84); handed an 11lb rise for Killarney win in August, when he beat subsequent Listowel winner Pride Of Place; faded after a mistake at the last at Listowel; won again at Galway, scoring by 5l to earn promotion to 104; sound prospects now off just 5lb higher than winning 2m5f event here 12 months ago.

5/1

1st

15

26th Oct 2025

Yielding

2m 6f 111y

14:00 Galway

Hees Dynamite

10st 11lb

J: Patrick M O’Brien

T: E McNamara

Hit by an 11lb rise for Killarney win in August, when he beat subsequent Listowel winner Pride Of Place; faded into after a mistake at the last at Listowel, not beaten far in fifth, so should not be ruled out.

8/1

Form: 0820-1

Last run: 14 days

W: 11st 6lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
Has gone up a stone for winning so well after an absence at Ballinrobe (2m6f, good) but this 7yo remains relatively unexposed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

10

15th May 2026

Good To Yielding

1m 7f 153y

17:20 Kilbeggan

Mister Vic

11st 5lb

J: Brian Hayes

T: Steve Jones

Returned from a 326-day absence at Ballinrobe last July to make the breakthrough at the seventh time of asking over hurdles (2m6f, good) with easy win; took a mammoth 16lb rise for that and duly struggled at Roscommon in final start for Noel Kelly in August (3m, good to yielding); down 3lb for stable debut.

16/1

8th

3

5th Aug 2025

Yielding

3m 0f 0y

18:20 Roscommon

Mister Vic

11st 6lb

J: Mr L T Turner

T: Noel C Kelly

Has gone up a stone for winning so well after an absence at Ballinrobe (2m6f, good) but this 7yo remains relatively unexposed.

13/2

Form: 5/36O-

Last run: 306 days

W: 10st 10lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Placed over hurdles and a dual Flat winner, though has run poorly in two starts in that scene for current yard; bit risky.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

29th May 2026

Good

2m 5f 145y

19:00 Tramore

Evenings Empire

10st 13lb

J: Sam Ewing

T: James M Barcoe

Dual-purpose; 0-11 over timber; pulled up over C&D on last start in this sphere; tailed off on Flat at Leopardstown latest; Brianna Lily looks yard's best chance.

28/1

18th

3

(20)

15th May 2026

Good

1m 4f 180y

19:57 Leopardstown

Evenings Empire

10st 1lb

J: Gary Carroll

T: James M Barcoe

On a losing run since 1m5f Down Royal win in July 2024; badly out of form (Flat and hurdles) last year.

33/1

Form: 71770- D

Last run: 107 days

W: 11st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
6lb higher than for his 3m win at Fairyhouse during the winter and ran another good race there in April; Cork last time was disappointing but had a break since then.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

12th Apr 2026

Good

3m 0f 0y

15:35 Down Royal

John Storey

11st 7lb

J: Conor Stone-Walsh

T: Ian Patrick Donoghue

Big-field Fairyhouse handicap hurdle winner on New Year's Day 2025 off 1lb higher (3m1f, yielding to soft); well beaten in final starts for Liam Cusack, but his fourth at Punchestown on stable debut was a positive (2m7f, heavy); 100-30 favourite at Downpatrick last time but was never travelling; questions to answer now.

13/1

8

29th Mar 2026

Yielding To Soft

2m 5f 185y

15:52 Downpatrick

John Storey

10st 9lb

J: Josh Williamson

T: Ian Patrick Donoghue

Big-field Fairyhouse handicap hurdle winner on New Year's Day 2025 off 1lb higher (3m1f, yielding to soft); well beaten in final starts for Liam Cusack; positives to take from his 10.5l fourth at Punchestown on stable debut in this headgear; in the mix if building on that.

8/1

4th

5

26th Jan 2026

Heavy

2m 7f 0y

16:10 Punchestown

John Storey

11st 9lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: Ian Patrick Donoghue

Winner of a big-field Fairyhouse handicap hurdle on New Year's Day last year (3m, yielding to soft) off 94; well beaten in last six starts over hurdles and fences; makes stable debut now with tongue-tie added to cheekpieces, but others appeal more.

16/1

Form: 13P/04 D

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 5lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Three-time hurdle winner; second run back from an absence when staying on into a close fourth at Sligo (3m1f, good); chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

9

12th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 172y

19:58 Sligo

Ballyglass Beauty

10st 10lb

J: Conor Stone-Walsh

T: Cian Collins

C&D winner; last scored in September 2023 but back to form with a 1.25l second at Clonmel on latest; raised 3lb for that but is still 10lb below his last success; C&D form figures read 41343; leading claims.

7/2

2nd

13

14th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 7f 0y

17:42 Clonmel

Ballyglass Beauty

10st 4lb

J: Conor Stone-Walsh

T: Cian Collins

One of two for yard; last of three wins came at Listowel in 2023; fourth on both starts for this stable at this venue over 3m but beaten 31l (on heavy) and 52l (on yielding); on a dangerous mark now, however, and cheekpieces might provide a spark.

16/1

4th

5

19th Mar 2026

Yielding To Soft

3m 0f 45y

17:00 Cork

Ballyglass Beauty

11st 7lb

J: Jan Ilik

T: Cian Collins

Three wins all at 3m, most recently at Listowel festival in 2023; back down to competitive mark on evidence of clear second over same trip at Limerick in October; following month in contention when brought down two out at this venue; well beaten fourth on yard debut at Clonmel.

6/1

Form: /9-897

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 11lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Maiden winner for Gordon Elliott but in 2023 and has shown pretty much nothing since then.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

2

5th Aug 2025

Yielding

3m 0f 0y

18:20 Roscommon

Zefiro Dodville

11st 11lb

J: Harry Sexton

T: Adrian Sexton

Maiden winner for Gordon Elliott but in 2023 and has shown pretty much nothing since then.

50/1

9

18th Jul 2025

Good

2m 6f 180y

14:30 Killarney

Zefiro Dodville

10st 9lb

J: Harry Sexton

T: Adrian Sexton

Won a maiden hurdle at Down Royal for Gordon Elliott in 2023 but has shown nothing in three runs since, including back over timber on yard debut earlier this month; now tried with cheekpieces and has questions to answer at present.

25/1

Form: 96-131 D

Last run: 33 days

W: 11st 5lb

5 yo Mare

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Progressed well in handicaps and only needed to be ridden out to prevail by 3l at Tipperary (2m7f, good to yielding); has an 8lb rise to deal with but strongly considered.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

4

5th Aug 2025

Yielding

3m 0f 0y

18:20 Roscommon

Adaliz

11st 5lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Henry De Bromhead

Progressed well in handicaps and only needed to be ridden out to prevail by 3l at Tipperary (2m7f, good to yielding); has an 8lb rise to deal with but strongly considered.

5/1

1st

2

3rd Jul 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 7f 120y

19:55 Tipperary

Adaliz

11st 9lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Henry De Bromhead

Narrow winner at Clonmel off a mark of 90 when she kept on well to lead (2m3f, good); again showed stamina back at that track most recently when third (2m4f, good to yielding); this new trip may suit her.

6/1

Form: 1322-P

Last run: 14 days

W: 10st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Reserve; placed on three consecutive visits to Tramore after last summer's win at Downpatrick; on a competitive mark and blinkers return after failing to fire in reapplied cheekpieces two weeks ago (after an absence).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

28th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

17:05 Worcester

Scottish Dancer

11st 8lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Tim Reed

1-16 over hurdles and lost his way in this discipline when trained in Ireland; however, he's back on track for new yard having finished first and second in 1m6f/2m Flat handicaps this month; could be on a handy mark back over jumps.

5/1

2nd

1

(2)

17th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

14:17 Ripon

Scottish Dancer

10st 0lb

J: Millie Wonnacott

T: Tim Reed

Lost his way in Ireland last year as a hurdler but, having first Flat run since June 2023, made a winning start from the front for new yard in handicap at Thirsk (1m6f, good to firm) 15 days ago; the big outsider of five that day and dictated a slow pace, but he's gone back up by just 2lb and the return to 2m may well suit him; major player in bid to win a second time under Millie Wonnacott.

9/2

1st

3

(5)

2nd May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 5

15:15 Thirsk

Scottish Dancer

9st 6lb

J: Millie Wonnacott

T: Tim Reed

Dual Flat winner at up to 2m for Keith Dalgleish in early summer 2023; consistent in handicap hurdles in Ireland in 2024, including a 2m6f win, but lost his way badly there last year; back on the Flat for a new yard after 196 days off with a fair bit to prove.

20/1

Form: 1SF8-8

Last run: 60 days

W: 10st 9lb

7 yo Filly

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Reserve; 2m6f winner last May off 3lb lower; recent efforts not great but returning to further can suit.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

22nd May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 3f 100y

19:00 Downpatrick

Grace Faraday

11st 5lb

J: James Smith

T: Anthony McCann

Stays well; gave a stout hurdles performance when scoring over 3m at Galway in October; beaten in excess of 20l in her most recent three races; 90-rated hurdler may struggle over this trip on chase debut.

25/1

6th

5

10th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 5f 0y

14:25 Limerick

Grace Faraday

11st 6lb

J: Eoghan Finegan

T: Anthony McCann

Stays well, winner and twice placed at this track; gave a stout performance when scoring over 3m at Galway three starts ago; beaten in excess of 20l in her most recent races here and at Cork.

8/1

Form: /89-0P

Last run: 13 days

W: 10st 12lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Won first two starts over hurdles last year on heavy ground for Donald McCain; disappointing in two chases for this yard and now returns to hurdling in blinkers.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

16th

14

5th Aug 2025

Yielding

3m 0f 0y

18:20 Roscommon

Emilys Choice

10st 12lb

J: Eoin Staples

T: Colin Bowe

Won first two starts over hurdles last year on heavy ground for Donald McCain; disappointing in two chases for this yard and now returns to hurdling in blinkers.

25/1

9

23rd Jul 2025

Yielding To Soft

3m 1f 110y

17:20 Wexford

Emilys Choice

11st 4lb

J: Eoin Staples

T: Colin Bowe

Point-to-point winner won first two starts over hurdles last year on heavy ground for Donald McCain; no impact in two chase starts for that stable on quicker ground and similarly on recent yard debut at Tipperary; hard to fancy.

16/1

5

1st Jul 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 3f 155y

16:18 Tipperary

Emilys Choice

11st 7lb

J: Eoin Staples

T: Colin Bowe

Point-to-point winner won first two starts over hurdles on heavy ground for Donald McCain; no impact in two chase starts for that stable when last seen and is best watched on first start for new yard.

20/1

Form: 490/

Last run: 476 days

W: 10st 3lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Reserve; didn't achieve all that much in winning her small-field point; handicap debut over hurdles; tongue tied.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

21st Feb 2024

Heavy

2m 6f 98y

15:15 Punchestown

Dont Tell Shirley

10st 13lb

J: Phillip Enright

T: S Curling

soon prominent, prominent behind clear leaders after 6th, mistake 4 out, no impression when lost third before last

100/1

Non-runners

Long Gone, Bigira, Dont Tell Shirley

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €37.30
Straight Forecast €32.78
Tricast €214.81
Trifecta €279.00

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Smallcraftwarning

The Irish Sun:

Adaliz

POSTDATA:

Mags Nelson

RP RATINGS (IRE):

Rebellious Gale

TOPSPEED:

Smallcraftwarning