August 08 / 17.28 Wexford

17.28

Good

Neville Hotels Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £9752.07
  • 2m 0f 180y
  • 10 runners
RTV
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Neville Hotels Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

OUR TIP

Form: 2-131U D

Last run: 8 days

W: 11st 13lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 131

Form & Verdict
Wide margin maiden hurdle winner at Limerick in January; stayed on well to land a Tramore handicap hurdle on return from a break in May (2m, good to yielding); won again at Bellewstown last month (2m1f, good); raised 8lb and unseated just after the first in Galway hurdle last week; big player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

5

6th Apr 2026

Yielding To Soft

2m 3f 180y

15:50 Fairyhouse

Bowensonfire

11st 3lb

J: Jordan Gainford

T: Gordon Elliott

Admirably consistent handicapper who didn't run too badly when midfield in the County Hurdle last month; however, this is a step up the ladder for him and regular rider Jack Kennedy evidently prefers the chances of The Yellow Clay.

10/1

13th

3

13th Mar 2026

Good

2m 0f 179y

Class 1

14:00 Cheltenham

Bowensonfire

11st 11lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Gordon Elliott

Big improver in recent months, winning strong 2m Leopardstown handicaps at the Christmas meeting (yielding) and at the Dublin Racing Festival (heavy); will need to improve again to complete a hat-trick of big-field successes but that can't be ruled out in his current mood.

14/1

1st

2

1st Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 0f 0y

15:52 Leopardstown

Bowensonfire

11st 4lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Gordon Elliott

Steady improver put up his best effort when winning over C&D last time; is 8lb higher in a tougher race so will have to progress again, but is possible he could do so.

7/1

Form: 11-0 D

Last run: 36 days

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Returns to hurdles following two runs on the Flat most recently; some promise in fourth of eight finish at Killarney (2m1f, yielding to soft) before tailed off at Galway last time (2m, soft); maiden and Galway festival novice winner in 2024 but he would need to step up on his effort in the Grimes Hurdle when last seen over timber.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

18th Jan 2026

Yielding

1m 7f 168y

13:40 Thurles

Feud

11st 12lb

J: Sean O’Keeffe

T: Richard John O’Brien

Maiden/novice wins during the summer of 2024; mostly disappointing in the meantime, 35l behind at Leopardstown last time (2m, yielding); others preferred.

33/1

1

27th Sep 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 4f 0y

15:20 Listowel

Feud

11st 12lb

J: Danny Mullins

T: Richard John O’Brien

Dual novice winner (including here over 2m) last year; best effort in 2025 a neck second at Wexford (2m1f, gd-yld) on penultimate; didn't back that up off 7lb higher at Newton Abbott latest (pulled up); talented on his day but difficult to predict.

11/1

1

30th Aug 2025

Good

2m 5f 122y

Class 2

16:30 Newton Abbot

Feud

12st 0lb

J: Danny Mullins

T: Richard John O’Brien

Launched hurdling career with two 2m wins in novice company last year and was close second on handicap debut at Wexford (2m1f, good to yielding) this month; could have untapped potential over this longer trip; commands respect.

5/2

Form: F-4730 D

Last run: 7 days

W: 11st 8lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 126

Form & Verdict
Two-time hurdles winner; rated 6lb lower in this sphere than fences but unable to take advantage of lower mark at Ballinrobe in May (2m6f, good); last win came off a mark of 114; okay efforts over fences at Kilbeggan and Galway last time; others preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

6

14th Oct 2025

Good

2m 7f 22y

16:36 Punchestown

Moonovercloon

11st 11lb

J: James Smith

T: Matthew J Smith

Hasn't really threatened over fences or over hurdles this year; beaten 12l when fourth at Listowel on latest; dropped another 2lb and blinkers now tried; others make more appeal.

20/1

4th

1

25th Sep 2025

Yielding

2m 4f 0y

16:35 Listowel

Moonovercloon

11st 13lb

J: James Smith

T: Matthew J Smith

Better over fences than hurdles and hasn't been overly threatening in this discipline in last three races; can look a hard ride at times.

20/1

2

27th Aug 2025

Good

2m 4f 110y

18:25 Bellewstown

Moonovercloon

11st 9lb

J: James Smith

T: Matthew J Smith

Better chaser than hurdler; has failed to exploit his lower hurdles mark in races at Wexford (behind Mercury Mission) and Sligo in recent weeks; others preferred.

10/1

Form: 6F-620 D

Last run: 34 days

W: 11st 0lb

7 yo Filly

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Three-time hurdles winner was back to form when runner-up at Listowel in June but tailed off at Bellewstown following that; got loose at the start and was withdrawn at Galway last week; mark still looks on the high side.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

8th Aug 2025

Good

2m 0f 180y

17:28 Wexford

First Dare

11st 0lb

J: Eoin Staples

T: Liz Doyle

Three-time hurdles winner was back to form when runner-up at Listowel in June but tailed off at Bellewstown following that; got loose at the start and was withdrawn at Galway last week; mark still looks on the high side.

15/1

6

30th Jul 2025

Good

2m 0f 110y

18:05 Galway

First Dare

11st 2lb

J: Eoin Staples

T: Liz Doyle

Back to form when runner-up at Limerick last month but tailed off at Bellewstown since and marks seems on the high side for now.

25/1

12th

12

5th Jul 2025

Good

2m 1f 40y

18:30 Bellewstown

First Dare

11st 0lb

J: Mr B T Stone

T: Liz Doyle

Stayed on into second behind Stuntman Steve at Listowel; has an edge over fifth-placed Raydamann; this looks more competitive.

12/1

Form: 075-21 C

Last run: 16 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Beat a pair of more fancied rivals in a beginners' here last month (2m, good); that was a step up on everything he had done over hurdles thus far, so the return to this discipline raises a question; for all that he is clearly in good form so can't be ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

27th May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 1f 0y

16:42 Wexford

War Correspondent

12st 0lb

J: Paddy Cody

T: R P Cody

Decent form over fences last autumn, including third in a Punchestown Grade 3 novice; pulled up in a race of this type over hurdles at Tramore last month; better when fourth off his higher chase mark at this venue on latest; hard to win with.

6/1

4th

1

7th May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 0y

18:08 Wexford

War Correspondent

11st 12lb

J: Paddy Cody

T: R P Cody

Dual-purpose sort showed decent form over fences last autumn, including third in a Punchestown Grade 3 novice; not an easy horse to win with and has to rebound now after a failure over hurdles at Tramore.

16/1

4

20th Apr 2026

Soft

2m 0f 80y

16:10 Tramore

War Correspondent

12st 0lb

J: Paddy Cody

T: R P Cody

Dual-purpose sort showed his best form last autumn over fences, including third in a Punchestown Grade 3 novice; rated 10lb less over hurdles but can be involved if ready enough on return.

6/1

Form: 2189-1 D

Last run: 36 days

W: 10st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
Winner of a Killarney handicap hurdle in July last year (2m1f, good); two poor runs following that but got firmly back on track with a career best success on seasonal return at Tipperary (2m, good to yielding) last month with a well-treated rival finishing runner-up; 7lb higher but likely to be involved here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

26th Oct 2025

Yielding

2m 0f 11y

16:13 Galway

Red Glory

11st 12lb

J: Patrick M O’Brien

T: Henry De Bromhead

Flat winner; took his second hurdle race when scoring at Tipperary in July; not a bad Wexford run after, poor at Killarney on next start; addition of tongue-tie seemed to have a positive effect when second at Fairyhouse just over two weeks ago; 5lb claimer rode last Sunday's Munster National winner.

4/1

2nd

2

11th Oct 2025

Yielding

2m 0f 0y

14:52 Fairyhouse

Red Glory

11st 9lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Henry De Bromhead

Flat winner took his second hurdle race when scoring at Tipperary in July; not a bad Wexford run after but was poor at Killarney since; has to rebound and tongue-tie might help.

8/1

5

30th Aug 2025

Good

1m 4f 0y

17:47 Curragh

Red Glory

12st 6lb

J: Jessica Kinsella

T: Henry De Bromhead

Flat win came over this trip fully five years ago; dual hurdles winner since, including last month; others appear more likely.

16/1

Form: 0162U- CD

Last run: 225 days

W: 10st 9lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Three-time hurdles winner whose last success in this discipline was over C&D in October (soft) off 105; okay runs following that; a winner by a nose on the Flat at Gowran in May (1m6f, good); below that level in two Flat runs since, but may get involved now back over hurdles.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

1st Jun 2026

Yielding

2m 0f 0y

14:22 Listowel

Inchiquin Star

11st 10lb

J: Alan O’Sullivan

T: Terence O’Brien

Won three handicaps for previous yard and likes good ground; 1m6f Flat winner last year when her hurdles form wasn't great; has dropped down to last winning mark, but not a hectic record when fresh and last two wins have come in cheekpieces.

10/1

4th

3

27th Oct 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 100y

14:22 Wexford

Inchiquin Star

11st 11lb

J: Shane O’Callaghan

T: Paul Stephen Kiely

Won on the Flat at Gowran in May; last win over hurdles came in this race last year on soft off 4lb lower, her second C&D win; way below best recently; hopes pinned on return to this track sparking a revival.

33/1

4th

3

27th Oct 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 100y

14:22 Wexford

Inchiquin Star

11st 11lb

J: Shane O’Callaghan

T: Paul Stephen Kiely

Won on the Flat at Gowran in May; last win over hurdles came in this race last year on soft off 4lb lower, her second C&D win; way below best recently; hopes pinned on return to this track sparking a revival.

33/1

Form: 16-503 CD

Last run: 17 days

W: 10st 6lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Back-to-back winner of novice handicaps in March-April, beginning his sequence over C&D (good to yielding); not at the same level in four runs since his win; beaten 9.5l by Bowensonfire at Tramore in May (2m, good to yielding); 4lb above last win.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

6

29th May 2026

Good

1m 7f 110y

17:20 Tramore

Mercury Mission

11st 12lb

J: Liam McKenna

T: P Cluskey

Three-time hurdle winner with a mark of 113; placed in both completed starts over fences, last time running as well as he was entitled to at Wexford; in the mix.

100/30

3rd

7

7th May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 0y

17:02 Wexford

Mercury Mission

11st 12lb

J: Liam McKenna

T: P Cluskey

Three-time hurdles winner (rated 113); unseated early on stable and chase debut at Downpatrick; ran a fine race from the front at 80-1 when second to the useful Royal Hollow at Clonmel last month; should be able to pick up a race over fences on that evidence but this looks like a more competitive race.

14/1

2nd

2

14th Apr 2026

Yielding

1m 7f 131y

18:42 Clonmel

Mercury Mission

11st 12lb

J: Liam McKenna

T: P Cluskey

Hurdles winner (rated 113) unseated early when 50-1 on stable and chase debut at Downpatrick latest; prefers good ground and a clear round will likely be the aim here.

33/1

Form: /0416- D

Last run: 222 days

W: 10st 3lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Winner of a weak Tramore maiden hurdle in October by 0.5l (2m, yielding); still early days but he comes off the back of a 222-day absence and his first foray into handicap company at Limerick last time was nothing to shout about.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12

24th Apr 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 3f 210y

19:29 Kilbeggan

The Blaggard

11st 3lb

J: G B Noonan

T: Eoin Christopher McCarthy

Tramore maiden hurdle winner in 2024; has failed to make his presence felt in handicap hurdles; no chasing experience.

25/1

10th

3

2nd Nov 2025

Yielding

2m 0f 0y

13:10 Cork

The Blaggard

11st 2lb

J: Daniel King

T: Eoin Christopher McCarthy

Tramore maiden winner in October last year (2m, yielding); only seen twice since; pulled up on return from 222 days off at Wexford latest; best watched in new headgear combination.

33/1

10th

3

2nd Nov 2025

Yielding

2m 0f 0y

13:10 Cork

The Blaggard

11st 2lb

J: Daniel King

T: Eoin Christopher McCarthy

Tramore maiden winner in October last year (2m, yielding); only seen twice since; pulled up on return from 222 days off at Wexford latest; best watched in new headgear combination.

33/1

Form: 1-4443 D

Last run: 22 days

W: 10st 1lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Wide margin winner at Tramore in April and several good runs in defeat subsequently; behind several of today's rivals in those defeats; consistent sort should be thereabouts but may find one or two too good.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

14th Aug 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

18:35 Tramore

Star Official

10st 12lb

J: Conor Owens

T: R Donohoe

Two-time winner over hurdles with his last win coming over C&D in April off 98 (16.5f, yielding); has been running consistently since then without winning; 6.75l sixth of 10 at Wexford last time (2m1f, good to yielding); each-way chance but 2lb wrong.

15/1

10

8th Aug 2025

Good

2m 0f 180y

17:28 Wexford

Star Official

10st 1lb

J: Conor Owens

T: R Donohoe

Wide margin winner at Tramore in April and several good runs in defeat subsequently; behind several of today's rivals in those defeats; consistent sort should be thereabouts but may find one or two too good.

13/2

7

17th Jul 2025

Good

2m 1f 0y

19:10 Killarney

Star Official

11st 6lb

J: Conor Owens

T: R Donohoe

Wide margin winner at Tramore in April and several good runs in defeat subsequently from this sort of mark; handles slower ground and he's one for the shortlist.

8/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €83.10
Straight Forecast €72.54
Tricast €272.26
Trifecta €510.00

Selections

RP RATINGS (IRE):

War Correspondent

SPOTLIGHT:

Bowensonfire

The Irish Sun:

Red Glory

TOPSPEED:

War Correspondent

POSTDATA:

War Correspondent