February 05 / 14.17 Thurles

14.17

Soft

Holycross Maiden Hurdle

  • Prize money: £5130.43
  • 2m 0f 34y
  • 18 runners
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Holycross Maiden Hurdle

Runners: 18 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

10/1

  • Place: £5.30

Form: 89

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Handicap win over 1m4f (good) at Chester in September was the highlight of his Flat career for Andrew Balding; stayed on late to finish eighth when 66-1 for the Leopardstown maiden won by his well-fancied stablemate Ballyfad; mid-field at Punchestown last time; needs to find more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

14th Jul 2026

Good

2m 5f 185y

16:12 Downpatrick

Playtime

11st 12lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Gordon Elliott

Leopardstown maiden hurdle winner (2m, soft) in March and runner-up to the smart Switch From Diesel in a novice two runs back; only seventh in a handicap since then but was beaten far; every chance on these terms.

7/4

7th

16

4th Jul 2026

Good

2m 1f 40y

18:18 Bellewstown

Playtime

11st 4lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Gordon Elliott

Good winner of a Leopardstown maiden hurdle (2m, soft) in March; handicap form is less persuasive, though the form of a Tramore third was boosted by Eastmore here on Thursday.

10/1

Form: 3254-8 D

Last run: 38 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Beaten five times in winners' bumpers since Ballinrobe success on good ground in 2024; fair form in defeat, including Down Royal second behind Monday's DRF winner Jacob's Ladder; in rear at Leopardstown in December after a year off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

5

7th Jun 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 7f 116y

16:17 Punchestown

Jerry From Kerry

11st 12lb

J: Jack G Gilligan

T: Paul John Gilligan

Ballinrobe bumper winner for Emmet Mullins and top-rated of these; best of four hurdle runs came on penultimate at Killarney last month when an 11l fourth but didn't build on that back at scene of his win when making some jumping errors; can't be dismissed.

9/2

5th

2

26th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 13y

18:30 Ballinrobe

Jerry From Kerry

11st 12lb

J: Jack G Gilligan

T: Paul John Gilligan

Course bumper winner; rated 110 after three runs over hurdles, the best of which came on latest at Killarney when an 11l fourth; could go well.

10/1

4th

7

9th May 2026

Good

2m 1f 0y

13:53 Killarney

Jerry From Kerry

11st 12lb

J: Jack G Gilligan

T: Paul John Gilligan

Beaten five times in winners' bumpers since Ballinrobe success on good ground in 2024 for Emmet Mullins; tailed off at Thurles on hurdling bow and in midfield when a faller two out at Naas; makes stable debut now.

25/1

Form: 00

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Second reserve; placed form on the Flat, rated a modest 67; big price when a remote tenth at Limerick on hurdling debut, down the field at Punchestown.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

4

(2)

15th Jul 2026

Good

1m 0f 40y

19:30 Killarney

Convincing

10st 0lb

J: Ben Coen

T: Ciaran Murphy

Maiden whose better efforts have come in C&D maidens; both recent handicap runs have been on heavy ground, 1m2f possibly too far at Navan latest; handicapper relenting so not without a chance back on better ground and yard going well.

15/2

5th

9

(11)

30th Mar 2026

Heavy

1m 2f 0y

16:48 Navan

Convincing

9st 5lb

J: Conor Cusack

T: Ciaran Murphy

Placed three times; showed little over hurdles during the winter; left an impresssion he would benefit from a return to longer trips when a staying-on ninth of 26 over 1m at the Cuerragh; can do better but needs to reverse form with Satono Chevalier and Lady Mary Heath.

10/1

9th

14

(6)

15th Mar 2026

Heavy

1m 0f 0y

17:30 Curragh

Convincing

9st 7lb

J: Ben Coen

T: Ciaran Murphy

Maiden finished last season in decent form with a close third at Naas (10.5f, yielding); 1lb lower here, fit from hurdling and has run well on heavy so can't be discounted.

20/1

OUR TIP

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won twice early in Flat career for Keith Dalgleish; missed all of 2024 and failed to recapture best form in five runs for Andrew Balding last year; rated 79 at season's end; others have stronger credentials.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15th

4

17th Mar 2026

Yielding

2m 1f 105y

13:18 Down Royal

Good Show

11st 12lb

J: Carl Millar

T: Gordon Elliott

Won twice early in Flat career for Keith Dalgleish; missed all of 2024 and failed to recapture best form in five runs for Andrew Balding last year; big price on Irish/hurdling debut at Thurles; unlikely to feature.

50/1

9th

3

5th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 0f 34y

14:17 Thurles

Good Show

11st 12lb

J: Danny Gilligan

T: Gordon Elliott

Won twice early in Flat career for Keith Dalgleish; missed all of 2024 and failed to recapture best form in five runs for Andrew Balding last year; rated 79 at season's end; others have stronger credentials.

20/1

5th

5

(2)

15th Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

15:44 Nottingham

Good Show

9st 13lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

Long layoff before he stuck on from last into a respectable sixth in nine-runner handicap at Goodwood (2m, soft; 7lb lower today) this June; seemingly found 14.5f too short at Doncaster next time (not disgraced) but his 2m run at Ascot 12 days ago was pretty disappointing.

5/1

Form: 43

Last run: 166 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Showed promise when making the frame in bumpers at Galway and Killarney last summer; ground was good on both occasions.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

15

5th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 0f 34y

14:17 Thurles

Papanell

11st 4lb

J: Jordan Gainford

T: John Joseph Murphy

Showed promise when making the frame in bumpers at Galway and Killarney last summer; ground was good on both occasions.

20/1

7

23rd Aug 2025

Good

2m 0f 100y

17:25 Killarney

Papanell

11st 4lb

J: Mr H C Swan

T: John Joseph Murphy

Not a bad effort on debut in a Galway bumper, lacked the pace to hold onto third; he can improve but it would be a surprise to see him win.

22/1

14

28th Jul 2025

Good

2m 0f 130y

20:20 Galway

Papanell

11st 10lb

J: Mr Finian Maguire

T: John Joseph Murphy

Papal Bull gelding is a half-brother to ten-time winner The Jam Man and half-brother to three Flat winners inc He's Got Rhythm (5f-1m inc AW; 91); dam Italian 1m2f winner; yard in flying form and positive jockey booking; worth a market check.

14/1

Form: 73433

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Three bumper runs, the best a rallying third at Punchestown last October; soundly beaten behind the useful Zeus Power in a C&D maiden in December; a long way behind two Willie Mullins-trained runners at Fairyhouse three weeks ago.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

2

31st May 2026

Good To Yielding

1m 7f 150y

16:00 Kilbeggan

Premier Rogue

12st 0lb

J: Sam Ewing

T: Noel Meade

Placed in a bumper and maiden hurdles, down the field over C&D on his most recent start.

9/1

9th

12

15th May 2026

Good To Yielding

1m 7f 153y

17:20 Kilbeggan

Premier Rogue

11st 4lb

J: Donagh Meyler

T: Noel Meade

Some promise in bumpers/maidens but offered little on switch to handicap at Leopardstown (14-1).

33/1

Form: 44/

Last run: 1016 days

W: 11st 12lb

8 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Three-time Flat winner (including AW) and second of 30 in the 2024 Irish Cesarewitch off a mark of 100; failed to land the odds in a 1m7f conditions race at Leopardstown last summer on his only 2025 start; makes hurdling debut at eight with a first-time tongue-tie; stablemate Le Labo is more appealing.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

(10)

20th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

2m 5f 143y

Class 2

18:10 Ascot

A Piece Of Heaven

9st 4lb

J: Dylan Browne McMonagle

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Has very low mileage for an 8yo and has Flat form figures of 221 since the tongue-tie went on; unraced over this far but he looks all about stamina, having finished second in an Irish Cesarewitch (2m1f) and one better in last month's Chester Cup (2m2f, good; has run well on faster); that latest race went like clockwork from his low stall but he seems very uncomplicated, and this was nominated as his next target straight after that win; big player.

7/1

1st

2

(1)

8th May 2026

Good

2m 2f 140y

Class 2

15:05 Chester

A Piece Of Heaven

9st 6lb

J: Dylan Browne McMonagle

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

One of three runners for the yard; lightly raced 8yo who was second in the 2m1f Irish Cesarewitch in 2024 and also in non-handicaps over 10.5f and 1m6f on his latest two starts this year; will probably be in good form but needs a career best.

7/1

2nd

3

(7)

3rd Apr 2026

Soft

1m 6f 0y

17:27 Curragh

A Piece Of Heaven

9st 5lb

J: Shay Wallace

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Second runner for yard; three-time Flat winner was second in the 2024 Irish Cesarewitch; has had his issues since but despite being very weak in the betting, ran a lovely second at Dundalk in February (ahead of Dallas Star); entitled to improve but unproven on soft.

7/2

Form: 9

Last run: 41 days

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
By Galileo, still an entire; 93-rated on the Flat; twice a beaten favourite before winning over 2m1f at Killarney; out of depth in the Group 2 Prix Foy and well below best at the Curragh on final start for Aidan O'Brien; thrown in at the deep end for hurdling debut in a strong maiden at Leopardstown, can do better in due course.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

(4)

29th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

18:50 Down Royal

Mont St Michel

9st 6lb

J: J M Sheridan

T: Denis Gerard Hogan

Ex-Ballydoyle, for whom he won over 2m1f at Killarney last summer; brief spell hurdling for new connections before finishing last on both Flat outings, latest in Group 3 Saval Beg; out of depth again here.

25/1

6th

6

(2)

15th May 2026

Good

1m 6f 0y

19:22 Leopardstown

Mont St Michel

9st 5lb

J: J M Sheridan

T: Denis Gerard Hogan

Ex-Ballydoyle; 2m1f Killarney winner last August; out of depth in Group 2 Prix Foy and well below form at the Curragh on final start; ran twice over hurdles for this stable before a below-par run on AW/handicap debut last month; up against it here.

100/1

10th

1

(11)

23rd Apr 2026

Standard

1m 4f 0y

19:45 Dundalk (AW)

Mont St Michel

10st 3lb

J: Jared Huggan

T: Denis Gerard Hogan

By Galileo; 2m1f Killarney win last summer; out of depth in Group 2 Prix Foy and well below best on final start for Aidan O'Brien; fair run when thrown in at the deep end for hurdles/stable debut at Leopardstown; struggled at Thurles; AW/handicap debut; new headgear.

14/1

Form: 90

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won a heavy-ground 1m maiden at Leopardstown in October 2023 for Aidan O'Brien; failed to add to his tally for Archie Watson; jumped poorly on hurdling debut at Leopardstown, tailed off at Punchestown.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

3

18th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 1f 30y

16:25 Bellewstown

Ocean Of Dreams

11st 12lb

J: Mr O McGill

T: Gary McGill

Flat winner was beaten 29l on handicap debut last time but can do better today so not discounted.

14/1

6th

2

8th Mar 2026

Heavy

2m 0f 77y

15:00 Naas

Ocean Of Dreams

12st 0lb

J: Eoin Staples

T: Gary McGill

Won a heavy-ground 1m maiden at Leopardstown in 2023 for Aidan O'Brien; failed to add to his tally for Archie Watson and three maiden hurdle runs since December poor; hard to make a case for entering handicaps but market worth a look.

12/1

14th

9

5th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 0f 34y

14:17 Thurles

Ocean Of Dreams

11st 12lb

J: Eoin Staples

T: Gary McGill

Won a heavy-ground 1m maiden at Leopardstown in October 2023 for Aidan O'Brien; failed to add to his tally for Archie Watson; jumped poorly on hurdling debut at Leopardstown, tailed off at Punchestown.

100/1

66/1

Form: 00

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Three-time Flat winner on yielding/soft for Johnny Murtagh; no success in Britain in recent years; bought for 14,000gns at Newmarket last autumn; has struggled in two outings over hurdles; new headgear combination.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

12

(20)

24th May 2026

Good To Yielding

1m 0f 0y

17:05 Curragh

Navagio

9st 6lb

J: Dylan Browne McMonagle

T: Ciaran Murphy

Three-time winner but losing run stretches back to July 2023; recent Roscommon sixth was mildly encouraging; plenty more needed now.

12/1

6th

12

(1)

11th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 111y

17:53 Roscommon

Navagio

9st 8lb

J: Colin Keane

T: Ciaran Murphy

Three-time winner but losing run stretches back to July 2023; no signs of making a return to the winner's enclosure in four starts for this yard; top rider booked but others in better form.

20/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Showed good stamina on soft ground when winning a 23-runner handicap over 1m6f at Navan last October; not a bad run when fifth under a penalty at Galway five days later; rated a modest 60 on the Flat; faces a tough introduction to hurdling.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

16th

2

5th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 0f 34y

14:17 Thurles

Charlie Brown

11st 12lb

J: Phillip Enright

T: T J O’Mara

Showed good stamina on soft ground when winning a 23-runner handicap over 1m6f at Navan last October; not a bad run when fifth under a penalty at Galway five days later; rated a modest 60 on the Flat; faces a tough introduction to hurdling.

25/1

5th

1

(6)

27th Oct 2025

Heavy

1m 3f 180y

16:25 Galway

Charlie Brown

10st 3lb

J: Ben Coen

T: T J O’Mara

Ran well on seasonal return on soft ground at Killarney in July; well below that level on next two starts; got up close home to win over 1m6f at Navan last week; bold bid likely under 7lb penalty but may struggle to confirm form with third-placed God The Highness.

9/2

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
AW winner for Karl Burke early last year; regressive in turf handicaps for this yard; no hurdling experience.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

10th Jul 2026

Good

2m 1f 60y

18:15 Cork

Northern Ruler

11st 8lb

J: Ricky Doyle

T: M D O’Callaghan

Has regressed sharply since winning on the Flat for Karl Burke and nothing positive to report so far over hurdles, including last week's handicap debut (33-1).

33/1

10th

11

2nd Jul 2026

Good

2m 0f 110y

16:45 Limerick

Northern Ruler

10st 12lb

J: Ricky Doyle

T: M D O’Callaghan

AW winner for Karl Burke early last year; regressive in turf handicaps; hinted at handicap potential at Naas in March on his third maiden hurdle start, beaten 28l in sixth behind a Willie Mullins-trained odds-on chance in a 20-runner contest.

10/1

6th

10

4th Mar 2026

Heavy

2m 0f 0y

14:20 Naas

Northern Ruler

11st 12lb

J: Conor Smithers

T: M D O’Callaghan

AW winner for Karl Burke early last year; regressive in turf handicaps; has struggled in two maiden hurdle starts.

100/1

Form: 2-2

Last run: 41 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form: 59

Last run: 67 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form: 3

Last run: 33 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form: 000

Last run: 28 days

W: 10st 11lb

6 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form: 67

Last run: 39 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form: 6

Last run: 28 days

W: 10st 11lb

5 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Non-runners

Le Labo, Bulgaden Castle, Toor Beag, Jumbos Jet

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €13.60
Straight Forecast €16.87
Trifecta €149.70

Selections

RP RATINGS (IRE):

Laurets d'Estruval

SPOTLIGHT:

Le Labo

TOPSPEED:

Laurets d'Estruval

POSTDATA:

Laurets d'Estruval

The Irish Sun:

Laurets d'Estruval