November 24 / 15.10 Thurles

15.10

Yielding

Holycross Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £4957.98
  • 2m 0f 33y
  • 19 runners
RTV
View Course
Holycross Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 19 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

6/1 (Won)

  • Win: £5.00
  • Place: £1.40

Form: 700-1U

Last run: 12 days

W: 11st 8lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Readily landed a mares handicap hurdle at Sligo last month before a first fence unseat in a Naas handicap chase; up 8lb for that Sligo success and one for the shortlist here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

27th Mar 2025

Yielding To Soft

2m 0f 86y

14:42 Clonmel

Boghlone Honey

11st 5lb

J: Richard Deegan

T: Liam P Cusack

Two handicap hurdle wins in 2022; twice well beaten over hurdles since returning from long absence, though ran in good company at Leopardstown; unseated at the first on only previous chase start.

16/1

18th

20

2nd Feb 2025

Soft

2m 2f 0y

12:40 Leopardstown

Boghlone Honey

10st 0lb

J: Simon Torrens

T: Liam P Cusack

Dual winner over hurdles and respectable return to action after more than two years off in a Punchestown handicap hurdle last month; 4lb wrong here and has plenty on her plate; tried in a first-time hood.

50/1

18th

20

2nd Feb 2025

Soft

2m 2f 0y

12:40 Leopardstown

Boghlone Honey

10st 0lb

J: Simon Torrens

T: Liam P Cusack

Dual winner over hurdles and respectable return to action after more than two years off in a Punchestown handicap hurdle last month; 4lb wrong here and has plenty on her plate; tried in a first-time hood.

50/1

7/1

  • Place: £1.40

Form: 9803-5

Last run: 32 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Alternated between fences and hurdles last season, by far his best effort when a good third in a big-field handicap hurdle at Naas in March; probably needed the run on his return in a handicap chase at Limerick last month; looks the owner's first-string here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

11th Dec 2024

Soft

2m 4f 15y

Class 4

14:50 Hexham

Know The Game

11st 9lb

J: Joshua Thompson

T: Micky Hammond

in rear

16/1

9

11th Dec 2024

Soft

2m 4f 15y

Class 4

14:50 Hexham

Know The Game

11st 9lb

J: Joshua Thompson

T: Micky Hammond

towards rear, bumped 1st, mistake 5th, soon lost touch, tailed off and pulled up before 7th

16/1

6th

4

2nd Nov 2024

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

12:40 Wetherby

Know The Game

11st 0lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Micky Hammond

Runner-up over fences at Limerick in April for Tom Dreaper but well beaten the next twice (fences/hurdles) and is now just 1-21; makes stable debut and others are preferred.

20/1

14/1

  • Place: £2.20

Form: 2947U8 CD

Last run: 11 days

W: 11st 10lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Last win was over C&D a year ago; unlucky not to add to that tally during the summer; not disgraced in a competitive Navan contest last time; 10lb higher than last year but well capable of getting into the shake-up at his best.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

19

12th Jun 2023

Good

2m 0f 46y

18:48 Roscommon

Peace Party

11st 11lb

J: Shane Fitzgerald

T: Desmond McDonogh

Reserve; 2-35 over hurdles, the wins a long time ago now; didn't run badly last time but an 11yo now and others appeal more.

9th

10

30th May 2023

Good

2m 0f 40y

19:00 Ballinrobe

Peace Party

11st 0lb

J: E Walsh

T: Desmond McDonogh

Tailed off throughout after starting very sluggishly here four weeks ago; hasn't won for a long time now.

25/1

10

2nd May 2023

Yielding

2m 0f 139y

17:48 Ballinrobe

Peace Party

11st 7lb

J: Kieran Callaghan

T: Desmond McDonogh

Hasn't won in a long time but three times runner-up at this track last summer including in this event; back from a break and has to be respected given his record around here.

8/1

5/1

  • Place: £1.40

Form: 12F33F D

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Landed a 2m handicap hurdle at Wexford in July and had every chance when coming down at the last at the same venue last month; consistent performer and unlikely to be too far away here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

1

30th Aug 2024

Yielding

2m 3f 100y

18:50 Wexford

Our Bobby

11st 12lb

J: E Walsh

T: John M Burke

Has been in fine form lately, winning over hurdles and Listowel and a handicap chase over C&D; 6lb higher now but that brings him to parity with hurdles mark; major player.

100/30

Form: 941P-3 D

Last run: 105 days

W: 11st 11lb

5 yo Mare

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Won a Flat handicap at Tipperary in May and generally in good form over the summer; returning from a couple of sub-standard Flat efforts last month at the Curragh and Dundalk but cannot be discounted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

(9)

29th Mar 2023

Soft To Heavy

1m 2f 0y

17:05 Navan

Secret Sea

10st 0lb

J: Hugh Horgan

T: Eoin Doyle

Both Flat wins have been over further and on better ground; lacks a recent run and may need this.

14/1

5th

5

24th Nov 2022

Yielding

2m 0f 33y

15:10 Thurles

Secret Sea

11st 11lb

J: Richard Condon

T: Eoin Doyle

Won a Flat handicap at Tipperary in May and generally in good form over the summer; returning from a couple of sub-standard Flat efforts last month at the Curragh and Dundalk but cannot be discounted.

8/1

13th

8

(17)

4th Nov 2022

Standard

1m 4f 0y

18:30 Dundalk (AW)

Secret Sea

9st 10lb

J: Robert Whearty

T: Eoin Doyle

dwelt start, towards rear of midfield

14/1

Form: 5F82-6

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 13lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
Runner-up in a Galway maiden hurdle for Pat Kelly 13 months ago; faded on his reappearance at Wexford last month after a year off; should come on but others preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

30th May 2024

Good To Firm

2m 3f 0y

18:47 Limerick

Champagne Vacation

12st 0lb

J: Phillip Enright

T: Sean Aherne

Maiden after 12 hurdle starts but some okay runs in handicaps last year; lacks a recent run and opposable.

10/1

Form: P06160 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Won a good ground handicap hurdle at Tramore in August; not quite at that level in two starts since and better ground would help; others preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

12

29th May 2026

Good

2m 5f 145y

19:00 Tramore

Bite That

10st 8lb

J: G B Noonan

T: Patrick J Flynn

Last won over hurdles here (2m, good) in 2022; rated 23lb higher over fences but hard to fancy on the evidence of his last three runs over hurdles at Clonmel.

28/1

9th

11

14th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 116y

18:20 Clonmel

Bite That

10st 12lb

J: Alex Harvey

T: Patrick J Flynn

Hurdles win came at Tramore back in 2022, more recently won over fences at Wexford last summer; soft ground not ideal of late so improvement on the cards back on a sound surface.

12/1

12th

6

26th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 2f 188y

17:12 Clonmel

Bite That

10st 13lb

J: G B Noonan

T: Patrick J Flynn

Infrequent winner but consistent in the main and deserved his Wexford chase victory a year ago; has failed to take advantage of lower hurdles mark in three outings since then; tailed off here four weeks ago in the race won by Courtbrack Boy.

14/1

Form: 307336

Last run: 44 days

W: 11st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Yet to win but some solid handicap form this year in the context of this race; faded late but far from disgraced at Punchestown last time; drops in trip here but very interesting nonetheless, even if Bryan Cooper prefers his stablemate.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

1st Jan 2023

Soft

2m 5f 170y

13:40 Tramore

Ocojohn

11st 7lb

J: Kevin Sexton

T: Thomas Cooper

in touch with leaders

6/1

3rd

1

6th Dec 2022

Soft

2m 5f 100y

15:15 Tramore

Ocojohn

12st 0lb

J: B J Cooper

T: Thomas Cooper

Maiden was below form last time but was previously consistent in defeat over hurdles; has a squeak on chasing debut if jumping soundly.

15/2

8th

14

24th Nov 2022

Yielding

2m 0f 33y

15:10 Thurles

Ocojohn

11st 8lb

J: Danny Mullins

T: Thomas Cooper

Yet to win but some solid handicap form this year in the context of this race; faded late but far from disgraced at Punchestown last time; drops in trip here but very interesting nonetheless, even if Bryan Cooper prefers his stablemate.

10/1

Form: 9F-957 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Fourth run for the stable, respectable efforts in handicaps at Galway and Killarney before possibly not staying over 2m3f at Clonmel latest; could be far more at home over this trip than stablemate Ocojohn and considered with Bryan Cooper preferring him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

7

1st Oct 2023

Yielding

2m 1f 0y

14:30 Killarney

Elusive Rebeldom

11st 2lb

J: Richard Condon

T: Thomas Cooper

Won maiden on heavy and decent fifth in this last year but didn't do much after and been off seven months.

14/1

12

25th Feb 2023

Yielding

2m 4f 23y

15:20 Fairyhouse

Elusive Rebeldom

11st 4lb

J: Richard Condon

T: Thomas Cooper

led, headed 6th, ridden and lost ground before 3 out, soon dropped to rear, pulled up after 3 out

25/1

12th

3

16th Feb 2023

Yielding

2m 0f 0y

15:25 Clonmel

Elusive Rebeldom

11st 11lb

J: Brian Hayes

T: Thomas Cooper

Good enough to win a Punchestown maiden hurdle for Debbie Hartnett three years ago; has run okay in a couple of handicap hurdles for his current stable.

14/1

Form: 0-9116

Last run: 59 days

W: 11st 9lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Good staying type with six career wins; not at his best when failing to complete a hat-trick at Roscommon last time having gone up 17lb; cannot be discounted here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

18

8th Sep 2025

Yielding To Soft

2m 6f 97y

17:22 Galway

Oskar High

10st 7lb

J: Shane O’Callaghan

T: Norman Lee

Veteran has won this twice, including last year off 3lb higher; however, he has been pulled up on his last three starts so major revival required.

25/1

13

22nd Jul 2025

Yielding

2m 6f 41y

19:12 Ballinrobe

Oskar High

10st 12lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Norman Lee

Old boy won at Galway last September; pulled up back there in October and same story on return from a 199-day break at Sligo in May; on last winning mark but may be vulnerable to younger legs.

25/1

13

13th May 2025

Good

3m 1f 188y

20:00 Sligo

Oskar High

10st 0lb

J: Shane O’Callaghan

T: Norman Lee

prominent

12/1

Form: /0P7-8 D

Last run: 32 days

W: 12st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Won a Fairyhouse bumper for Vincent Ward 19 months ago; respectable effort in a maiden hurdle there at Easter; handicap debut here and not obviously well treated but should improve for his Limerick run.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

11

12th Jul 2026

Good

2m 1f 90y

14:50 Sligo

Marys Pride

10st 6lb

J: Sarah Kavanagh

T: Edward Cawley

Was third over 2m at Ballinrobe but might have found 2m3f too far at Punchestown since; record of 2-23 over hurdles, so others preferred.

12/1

7th

12

7th Jun 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 3f 12y

15:07 Punchestown

Marys Pride

11st 0lb

J: Sarah Kavanagh

T: Edward Cawley

Best form is over 2m and previous attempts over around 2m4f haven't worked out; can go well fresh which he again demonstrated at Ballinrobe, but not sure to back that up.

5/1

2nd

11

26th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 13y

19:30 Ballinrobe

Marys Pride

11st 1lb

J: Sarah Kavanagh

T: Edward Cawley

Is 6lb lower than when gaining second win over hurdles at Tipperary in July 2024; soundly beaten off 100 when last seen at Down Royal in December; 1lb lower now and has gone well fresh, so not dismissed in first-time cheekpieces.

25/1

6/1

Form: 6/711- D

Last run: 490 days

W: 11st 11lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Looked a real improver when landing a pair of handicap hurdles at Tramore and Limerick 19 months ago; racing off a 19lb higher mark here; tough ask but the market should be a good guide.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

13

6th Oct 2024

Good

2m 1f 0y

14:15 Killarney

Gendarme

10st 6lb

J: Shane O’Callaghan

T: Charles Coakley

No further success since back-to-back victories for Cathal Byrnes in July 2021; weak form over fences in the spring; struggled on return to hurdling at Tramore in August.

33/1

14th

15

16th Aug 2024

Good

2m 5f 0y

19:48 Tramore

Gendarme

10st 0lb

J: Simon Torrens

T: Charles Coakley

Course winner is 2-24 over hurdles but no win since back to back victories in July 2021; yet to fire in six runs for Charles Coakley but one of his better efforts when beaten 10l in a handicap chase at Limerick last time; tongue tie and visor reached for again (pulled up last time he wore them); hard to fancy.

20/1

Form: -95650

Last run: 11 days

W: 11st 9lb

5 yo Mare

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Second in a Killarney bumper for John Murphy in 2021 but only bits and pieces of form since; well beaten in a Navan maiden hurdle latest and not easy to fancy.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

5

12th Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 110y

15:50 Bellewstown

Fairy Tree

11st 3lb

J: Sam Ewing

T: Gordon Elliott

Is 0-12 under Rules and 0-5 over hurdles for Matthew Smith; last ran in January 2023 over 1m4f at Dundalk; good ground is fine but she's unproven at this trip; probably best watched on first start for new yard after mammoth absence unless the market suggests otherwise.

7/1

8th

5

12th Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 110y

15:50 Bellewstown

Fairy Tree

11st 3lb

J: Sam Ewing

T: Gordon Elliott

Is 0-12 under Rules and 0-5 over hurdles for Matthew Smith; last ran in January 2023 over 1m4f at Dundalk; good ground is fine but she's unproven at this trip; probably best watched on first start for new yard after mammoth absence unless the market suggests otherwise.

7/1

7th

11

(11)

18th Jan 2023

Standard

1m 4f 0y

13:35 Dundalk (AW)

Fairy Tree

9st 7lb

J: W J Lee

T: Matthew J Smith

Second in a Killarney bumper for John Murphy in 2021; has done little of note since; jumped badly and tailed off in a handicap hurdle at Thurles in November; very hard to fancy.

20/1

Form: /288-0

Last run: 205 days

W: 11st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Won a Flat handicap at Dundalk in March; lost his way on the Flat after that and best watched here on his return to hurdles.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

(4)

24th Aug 2025

Good

1m 2f 110y

16:35 Naas

The Virginian

9st 4lb

J: Ross Fagan

T: Padraig Roche

AW winner in 2022; in moderate form over jumps before finishing last back on the Flat here 20 days ago; 7f would have been inadequate but still has serious questions to answer.

20/1

16th

8

(6)

4th Aug 2025

Good

0m 7f 0y

15:46 Naas

The Virginian

9st 7lb

J: Ross Fagan

T: Padraig Roche

Pretty much tailed off in his last four jumps races split between hurdling and chasing; unlikely to have the gears for this.

50/1

11

4th Jul 2025

Good

2m 3f 110y

17:00 Wexford

The Virginian

10st 11lb

J: Peter Smithers

T: Padraig Roche

Has been mixing chasing and hurdling recently to no avail; handicapper giving him a chance but hard to be confident in.

33/1

Form: /00-78

Last run: 174 days

W: 11st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Has had a few trainers since winning twice on the Flat in Britain; debuts for Pat Foley here and hard to fancy on what he has done recently.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

24th Nov 2022

Yielding

2m 0f 33y

15:10 Thurles

Morning Skye

11st 9lb

J: Kieran Callaghan

T: Patrick T Foley

Has had a few trainers since winning twice on the Flat in Britain; debuts for Pat Foley here and hard to fancy on what he has done recently.

20/1

Form: 20/60/ D

Last run: 804 days

W: 11st 7lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Second in a Tramore maiden hurdle for Gordon Elliott but not much to recommend otherwise; debuts for Peter Maher here after more than two years off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

16

24th Nov 2022

Yielding

2m 0f 33y

15:10 Thurles

Mam Trasna

11st 7lb

J: J J Slevin

T: Peter Maher

Second in a Tramore maiden hurdle for Gordon Elliott but not much to recommend otherwise; debuts for Peter Maher here after more than two years off.

66/1

OUR TIP

Form: 005F-

Last run: 224 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
First reserve; showed a little ability in a Cork maiden hurdle in January; best watched.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

8

7th May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 0y

18:08 Wexford

Crowsatedappletart

11st 3lb

J: Michael Kenneally

T: Michael Winters

Seven-time winner over hurdles/fences; won twice at this venue last July; likely to show the benefit of a recent hurdles run at Limerick; noteworthy on account of his ability to handle the track; good chance with a top claimer aboard.

6/1

6th

5

16th Apr 2026

Soft

2m 5f 100y

13:35 Limerick

Crowsatedappletart

10st 9lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Michael Winters

Seven-time winner over hurdles/fences and hasn't been out of the first three in his last six starts around here; three wins over fences last year; disappointing favourite over hurdles at Cork but returns from a break racing from 14lb lower hurdles mark; should go well.

3/1

7th

6

2nd Nov 2025

Yielding

2m 0f 0y

13:10 Cork

Crowsatedappletart

10st 12lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Michael Winters

Winner of seven races including three this year; those three wins have come in handicap chases, including a 3l victory at Limerick (2m3f, yld-sft) on latest off 109; rated 103 in this sphere and 2m is fine so can't be discounted on return to hurdling.

4/1

Form: 090F-0

Last run: 47 days

W: 11st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Second reserve; plum last in a Fairyhouse handicap hurdle last month; makes little appeal.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

8

28th Aug 2024

Good To Yielding

2m 4f 110y

16:15 Bellewstown

Grand Cru Chatho

11st 2lb

J: Kieren Buckley

T: Edward Cawley

15-race maiden and has not really fulfilled early promise; very hard to fancy.

66/1

8th

9

21st Aug 2024

Yielding

2m 1f 93y

17:38 Sligo

Grand Cru Chatho

11st 5lb

J: Kieren Buckley

T: Edward Cawley

Maiden was a close 5th over 2m2f here in June and a repeat will see him involved; unseated early over fences since.

12/1

4

2nd Jul 2024

Good To Firm

2m 1f 70y

14:33 Tipperary

Grand Cru Chatho

11st 6lb

J: Philip Byrnes

T: Edward Cawley

in rear early, some headway when not fluent and unseated 2nd

10/1

Form: 44-009

Last run: 55 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Third reserve; not disgraced in a couple of early bumpers or in a Gowran maiden hurdle; might need a little leeway from the handicapper.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

3rd Jul 2026

Good

2m 1f 55y

17:50 Wexford

Bella Union

11st 1lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: John C McConnell

Veteran finally made the breakthrough in 2m1f Bellewstown handicap in April and duly followed up at Down Royal off 5lb higher; solid C&D run since off further 8lb higher mark when chasing home a clear-cut winner; contender again.

7/1

2nd

9

27th May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 1f 0y

18:19 Wexford

Bella Union

11st 1lb

J: Dylan Kidd

T: John C McConnell

Veteran finally made the breakthrough in 2m1 Bellewstown handicap in April and duly followed up at Down Royal early this month off 5lb higher under today's rider, produced late for cosy success; hit with another 8lb rise but in the form of his life and ground remains in his favour.

11/2

Non-runners

Crowsatedappletart, Grand Cru Chatho, Bella Union

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €35.20
Straight Forecast €28.05
Tricast €198.31
Trifecta €386.50

Selections

The Irish Sun:

Our Bobby

RP Ratings (IRE):

Boghlone Honey

POSTDATA:

Peace Party

SPOTLIGHT:

Gendarme