February 16 / 14.15 Clonmel

14.15

Yielding

Surehaul Mercedes-Benz Novice Hurdle (Grade 3)

  • Prize money: £18274.34
  • 3m 0f 0y
  • 8 runners
RTV
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Surehaul Mercedes-Benz Novice Hurdle (Grade 3)

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

11/2 (Won)

  • Win: £8.40
  • Place: £1.90

Form: 4-2

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Twice runner-up in points for Colin Bowe and shaped well on hurdles debut when chasing home a warm favourite in 2m4f Navan maiden last month, keeping on nicely after mistake at last; half-brother to the top-class Monalee (won this race) and should appreciate 3m.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

9

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

4m 2f 74y

Class 1

16:00 Aintree

Montys Star

11st 3lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Henry De Bromhead

Just 1-11 as a chaser, largely because he keeps trying in vain at Grade 1 level; fourth in last year's Cheltenham Gold Cup was one of his peak efforts, as was this season's never-nearer fifth in a Leopardstown Grade 1 at Christmas; he didn't fare so well in the Irish Gold Cup last time but was the only one matching strides with the top-class winner on the home turn; going up markedly in trip today, in a handicap, makes him a mouthwatering proposition.

14/1

6th

11

2nd Feb 2026

Soft To Heavy

3m 0f 100y

15:30 Leopardstown

Montys Star

11st 10lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Henry De Bromhead

Chase record is an off-putting 1-10; can perform respectably at a high level; second in Grade 1s as a novice, fourth behind Inothwayurthinkin in last season's Cheltenham Gold Cup; laboured under a big weight burden in the Coral Gold Cup; finishes behind four of these rivals (and in front of four others) in the Savills.

25/1

OUR TIP

Form: 11 D

Last run: 67 days

W: 11st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 141

Form & Verdict
Likely winner when carried out on sole point-to-point for Marie Harding and unbeaten in two starts over hurdles this term; 2m3f Naas maiden and relished step up to 3m in Grade 3 Cork novice when forging away approaching the last; smart stayer in the making although toughest task yet conceding weight all round.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

7th May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 7f 0y

18:38 Wexford

Hiddenvalley Lake

11st 12lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: Henry De Bromhead

Classy hurdler rated (154) some way superior to these, career highlight when winning 3m Grade 1 Liverpool Hurdle at Aintree just over a year ago; only fifth when attempting repeat win there last month but looks a class apart from these rivals if anyway fluent in his jumping (wasn't that on sole previous chase start back in December 2023); interesting jockey booking.

8/11

5th

4

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 1

15:05 Aintree

Hiddenvalley Lake

11st 10lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Henry De Bromhead

Well beaten at Punchestown last May and at Navan in February on sole start since; however, this race has brought out the best in him in the last two seasons, as he finished third in 2024 (good to soft) and first last year (good); could bounce back and play another leading role.

6/1

Form: 13

Last run: 49 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Cost 200,000GBP after winning Quakerstown point-to-point for John Costello and winning start for new connections in Fairyhouse bumper in November; looked in need of further on hurdles debut following month when decent third to a subsequent Grade 1 winner over 2m4f at Leopardstown so more likely now upped to 3m.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

10th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 0y

Class 1

15:20 Cheltenham

Search For Glory

11st 2lb

J: James Smith

T: Gordon Elliott

Didn't jump well when seventh in this last year and pulled up in the Thyestes at Gowran Park (3m1f, heavy) in January on latest run; however, he was in good form previously, finishing second of nine at Navan (2m4f, soft to heavy) then second of 28 in the Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown (3m, yielding); each-way player if back on song and finding some fluency.

25/1

10

22nd Jan 2026

Heavy

3m 1f 0y

15:30 Gowran Park

Search For Glory

11st 4lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Gordon Elliott

Failed to add to Galway beginners' chase win last season; jumping was untidy in the Ultima at Cheltenham; failed to stay in the Irish Grand National; ran well for a long way in Troytown on return before fading; fine second over inadequate trip at Navan (Harry Des Ongrais third); big chance now based on second in the Paddy Power; Jack Kennedy takes over from a claimer.

13/2

Form: 939912 BF

Last run: 23 days

W: 10st 7lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Off the mark at seventh attempt in 2m1f Down Royal handicap over Christmas and just denied a follow-up over same C&D last month; upped markedly both in trip and class here and very hard to see her featuring.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

7

10th Jun 2025

Good

2m 1f 157y

18:58 Sligo

Kalanisi Dubh

11st 8lb

J: Jake Coen

T: Seamus Fahey

Two-time winner on testing ground but last win came in December 2023; beaten similar distances last couple of starts; just 2lb above last win now and the forecast rain is in her favour.

10/1

5th

14

25th Apr 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 3f 100y

16:55 Kilbeggan

Kalanisi Dubh

10st 13lb

J: Kevin Sexton

T: Seamus Fahey

Won a 2m Clonmel handicap on heavy in 2023; not many runs since; solid back at that track last time but needs more up in trip.

14/1

5th

14

25th Apr 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 3f 100y

16:55 Kilbeggan

Kalanisi Dubh

10st 13lb

J: Kevin Sexton

T: Seamus Fahey

towards rear, steady headway on outer halfway, weakened run-in

14/1

Form: 147234

Last run: 25 days

W: 10st 7lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
Won mares hurdle at Kilbeggan last summer and has been quite highly tried since, notably good second in a 3m Cork Listed; didn't jump well and never landed a blow in Grade 2 mares' novice at Thurles on latest and is now fitted with a tongue tie; again plenty on her plate here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

16th Feb 2023

Yielding

3m 0f 0y

14:15 Clonmel

Granny Lowrie

10st 7lb

J: Jack Doyle

T: P M J Doyle

Won mares hurdle at Kilbeggan last summer and has been quite highly tried since, notably good second in a 3m Cork Listed; didn't jump well and never landed a blow in Grade 2 mares' novice at Thurles on latest and is now fitted with a tongue tie; again plenty on her plate here.

20/1

4th

4

22nd Jan 2023

Yielding To Soft

2m 4f 78y

13:10 Thurles

Granny Lowrie

10st 12lb

J: Jack Doyle

T: P M J Doyle

didn't jump well, in rear, minor headway when mistake 7th, pushed along briefly 4 out, went remote fourth before 3 out, not fluent last, made no telling impression

33/1

3rd

1

1st Jan 2023

Soft

2m 2f 68y

12:15 Fairyhouse

Granny Lowrie

11st 5lb

J: Jack Doyle

T: P M J Doyle

Maiden winner on good ground at Kilbeggan in June; not a bad run when fourth at Roscommon in July; jumped badly when highly tried in a Grade 3 event at Tipperary; better when second over 3m at Cork eight weeks ago; faces a stiff task against younger mares here.

6/1

Form: -51211 D

Last run: 33 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 143

Form & Verdict
Nicely progressive this season for Eugene O'Sullivan, winning Cork bumper and much improved for step up in trip over hurdles to win Limerick maiden and ready winner on handicap debut over today's trip at Fairyhouse in testing conditions; has since changed yards and should make his presence felt in novice company.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

14th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

3m 2f 70y

Class 1

16:00 Cheltenham

Corbetts Cross

11st 10lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Emmet Mullins

Strong stayer who made short work of his rivals in the National Hunt Chase here (3m6f, heavy) last March and showed he could do more than just grind away when close up in the Bowl (3m1f, soft) at Aintree after; unable to go with Banbridge in the home straight in the King George at Kempton (3m) on Boxing Day and his pace was again lacking over 2m5f at Ascot (good) last month, but this test can see him back in a good place; a dollop of rain would help but he isn't a forlorn hope.

20/1

2

15th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 5f 8y

Class 1

15:37 Ascot

Corbetts Cross

11st 10lb

J: Mark Walsh

T: Emmet Mullins

Second-season chaser who never landed a blow in good-ground King George last time (raced mostly on soft/heavy otherwise); not short of stamina, having been successful over 3m6f at the 2024 Cheltenham Festival, but his last attempt over 2m5f resulted in a win; major player provided he copes with the return to this distance and shows best form.

5/2

Form: 0-0

Last run: 16 days

W: 11st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Tailed off both in bumper and on hurdles debut for current yard in Limerick maiden last month; easily passed over.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

12th Jun 2023

Good

2m 0f 46y

18:48 Roscommon

Farceur De Sivola

11st 11lb

J: Liam Quinlan

T: John Patrick Ryan

Ran respectably behind a runaway winner at Kilbeggan last week (2m, good to yielding); perhaps a shade high in the weights.

10/1

4th

9

4th Jun 2023

Good

2m 0f 0y

15:50 Kilbeggan

Farceur De Sivola

11st 5lb

J: Liam Quinlan

T: John Patrick Ryan

Lightly raced for a horse of his age; failed to make much impression over a longer trip at Limerick in his first handicap; finished behind Ricky Langford then.

25/1

10th

10

26th May 2023

Good

2m 3f 0y

19:15 Limerick

Farceur De Sivola

11st 1lb

J: Liam Quinlan

T: John Patrick Ryan

towards rear

14/1

Form: -21431 D

Last run: 40 days

W: 10st 7lb

6 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Downpatrick bumper winner improved significantly on third attempt hurdling to run away with Cork maiden over today's trip last month; that looked ordinary enough form but stamina clearly her forte and she jumps well so could well be up for this step up in grade.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

16th Feb 2023

Yielding

3m 0f 0y

14:15 Clonmel

Walk In The Brise

10st 7lb

J: Paul Townend

T: W P Mullins

Downpatrick bumper winner improved significantly on third attempt hurdling to run away with Cork maiden over today's trip last month; that looked ordinary enough form but stamina clearly her forte and she jumps well so could well be up for this step up in grade.

11/2

1st

10

7th Jan 2023

Soft

3m 0f 0y

13:37 Cork

Walk In The Brise

11st 5lb

J: Paul Townend

T: W P Mullins

travelled strongly, in touch with leaders, close up after 4 out, joined leaders when not fluent going easily 3 out, led before 2 out, soon clear and pushed along, went further clear when ridden after last, kept on strongly

4/7

3rd

4

6th Dec 2022

Soft

2m 5f 0y

13:15 Tramore

Walk In The Brise

11st 7lb

J: Paul Townend

T: W P Mullins

Solid level of form in bumpers, runner-up on three occasions before odds-on Downpatrick win in June; runner-up County Queen has won a bumper and maiden hurdle; finished a long way behind Knockanard Lady on hurdling debut at Cork; had excuses, made a few errors and picked up an injury.

13/8

Non-runners

Corbetts Cross, Farceur De Sivola, Walk In The Brise

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €16.30
Straight Forecast €12.75
Trifecta €23.70

Selections

RP Ratings (IRE):

Corbetts Cross

SPOTLIGHT:

Hiddenvalley Lake

POSTDATA:

Corbetts Cross

The Irish Sun:

Corbetts Cross

TOPSPEED:

Hiddenvalley Lake