September 07 / 17.55 Clonmel

17.55

Good

Nire Valley Handicap

  • Prize money: £6265.49
  • 1m 1f 136y
  • 12 runners
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Nire Valley Handicap

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

5/1 (Won)

  • Win: £4.40
  • Place: £1.80

Form: 634133

Last run: 14 days

W: 8st 13lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 64

Form & Verdict
In the form of her life at present, winning a 1m handicap at Naas in July and has only been beaten roughly 1l twice since; 1lb rise for her latest third looks lenient and she ought to go well again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

13

(15)

3rd Nov 2024

Soft

1m 0f 0y

14:25 Curragh

Simply Sideways

9st 3lb

J: Sean D Bowen

T: Timothy Doyle

raced near side, towards rear

14/1

9th

13

(15)

3rd Nov 2024

Soft

1m 0f 0y

14:25 Curragh

Simply Sideways

9st 3lb

J: Sean D Bowen

T: Timothy Doyle

raced near side, towards rear

14/1

4th

5

(7)

6th Oct 2024

Yielding

1m 1f 0y

13:55 Tipperary

Simply Sideways

9st 9lb

J: Wayne Hassett

T: Timothy Doyle

dwelt start, midfield, soon in touch with leaders, went fourth inside final furlong, ran on, not reach leaders

6/1

5/1

  • Place: £1.80

Form: 294-37

Last run: 69 days

W: 10st 0lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Won a 7f Curragh maiden on debut in 2021; hasn't won since but ran with credit on this season's reappearance when placed in a Fairyhouse handicap over a similar trip and probably unsuited by a return to 7f last time; on a good mark and should relish return to this trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

(6)

10th Nov 2023

Standard

1m 0f 0y

18:30 Dundalk (AW)

Eclat De Lumiere

9st 4lb

J: Donagh O’Connor

T: D K Weld

Hasn't added to her debut Curragh 2yo maiden win but knocking on the door in handicaps of late, latest here over 1m2f when tried visored; blinkers back on here but plenty to do at the weights raised in class.

14/1

2nd

4

(6)

29th Sep 2023

Standard

1m 2f 150y

19:15 Dundalk (AW)

Eclat De Lumiere

9st 13lb

J: Leigh Roche

T: D K Weld

Best run this term came at Clonmel last time when came home strongly from the rear; up 3lb but can go well in a first-time visor; good run only previous try here.

7/2

2nd

1

(9)

7th Sep 2023

Good

1m 1f 136y

17:55 Clonmel

Eclat De Lumiere

10st 0lb

J: Chris Hayes

T: D K Weld

towards rear, headway under 2f out, went fourth inside final furlong, ran on well and went second towards finish, too much to do

5/1

12/1

  • Place: £4.20

Form: 860234

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 7lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Getting back down towards his last winning handicap mark and has been running well in defeat of late; has won on good but his best form is on soft and may be best watched from the widest draw.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

(4)

15th Oct 2023

Heavy

1m 2f 110y

16:35 Naas

Eloquent Arthur

10st 2lb

J: Neve Bennett

T: Philip M Byrne

midfield

8/1

3rd

7

(11)

21st Sep 2023

Yielding To Soft

1m 1f 0y

15:25 Listowel

Eloquent Arthur

9st 8lb

J: J M Sheridan

T: Adrian Brendan Joyce

prominent, went second over 2f out

15/2

3rd

5

(12)

7th Sep 2023

Good

1m 1f 136y

17:55 Clonmel

Eloquent Arthur

9st 7lb

J: J M Sheridan

T: Adrian Brendan Joyce

prominent, went third under 2f out, outpaced over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong

12/1

Form: -00410 D

Last run: 33 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Followed up a first hurdle win with a 1m4f success back on the Flat at Tramore in July; however, two lesser efforts followed at the Galway festival and may find this trip on the sharp side these days.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

(9)

12th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 182y

19:40 Killarney

Dark Note

11st 7lb

J: Ms E C Costello

T: Andrew Slattery

Dual Flat winner who has a win apiece over hurdles and fences; well beaten over hurdles in March on his return from a break but ran some solid Flat races last year, including over C&D.

10/1

4th

6

2nd May 2026

Yielding

2m 0f 0y

18:35 Punchestown

Dark Note

12st 3lb

J: Ken Murphy

T: Andrew Slattery

Two-time Flat winner rated 71, won this last year, yard form a plus, should go well.

12/1

16th

3

19th Mar 2026

Yielding To Soft

2m 4f 0y

16:00 Cork

Dark Note

11st 8lb

J: Cian Quirke

T: Andrew Slattery

Dual Flat winner has a win apiece over hurdles and fences; last win was novice chase at Tipperary last July (19.5f, yielding); out of his depth in Tipperary Grade 3 before jumping issues evident in Wexford handicap chase; returns from a break back hurdling.

25/1

9/1

Form: -32616 D

Last run: 29 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Career best when winning at Ballinrobe on her penultimate start but failed to replicate that form when beaten 4l at Sligo last month; each-way claims if she can bounce back.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

(8)

9th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 53y

Class 6

20:25 Leicester

Yokkell

9st 6lb

J: Kieran O’Neill

T: Adrian Wintle

On a losing sequence but she really caught the eye when a running-on third of 14 in 1m2f handicap here two weeks ago; up 2lb but very much one to consider.

15/8

3rd

3

(7)

25th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

16:30 Leicester

Yokkell

9st 9lb

J: Finley Marsh

T: Adrian Wintle

Ex-Kevin Philippart de Foy; formerly a useful performer and was successful at Nottingham (8.3f, good to firm) last April; now 24lb lower than for that win but she's struggled since and has form figures of 9050876 for her current yard; opposable.

16/1

6th

3

(2)

10th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 6

20:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Yokkell

9st 8lb

J: Finley Marsh

T: Adrian Wintle

Ex-Kevin Philippart de Foy; formerly a useful performer, winning off 21lb higher mark on turf last April; mainly disappointing since; on a good mark, but plenty to prove now.

25/1

Form: 6-0925

Last run: 25 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Improved from his maiden form when beaten roughly 1l on handicap debut at Leopardstown (1m, good) in June; did well from a poor position when fifth at the Curragh since and looks on a good mark at present.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

3

22nd Mar 2026

Heavy

2m 0f 50y

14:23 Limerick

Free Flow

11st 9lb

J: Thomas O’Connor

T: Ross O’Sullivan

One of two for trainer; Flat maiden; sole win came in a Thurles maiden hurdle this time last year (2m, good); has found it hard going in handicaps since then.

25/1

9th

2

4th Mar 2026

Heavy

2m 2f 180y

16:52 Naas

Free Flow

11st 8lb

J: Liam McKenna

T: Ross O’Sullivan

One of two for trainer; Flat maiden; sole win came in a Thurles maiden hurdle in March (2m, good); struggled in handicap starts since; tailed off at Thurles last time (2m, yielding); more needed.

15/1

11th

9

18th Jan 2026

Yielding

1m 7f 168y

13:40 Thurles

Free Flow

10st 9lb

J: Donagh Meyler

T: Ross O’Sullivan

Flat maiden; sole win over jumps came in a C&D maiden hurdle in March (good); struggled in handicap starts since, although some positivity to be found in his seventh of 17 finish at Leopardstown last time (2m, yielding); down 2lb.

16/1

Form: 4-9600

Last run: 7 days

W: 9st 8lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Impressive when winning at Leopardstown early last season but no wins since and he hasn't been at that level in four runs this term; didn't beat a rival at Navan last week and hard to recommend on the back of that but he's become well treated on last year's peak efforts.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

12

(8)

21st Feb 2025

Standard

1m 2f 150y

19:30 Dundalk (AW)

Zahee

9st 0lb

J: Rory Mulligan

T: John C McConnell

midfield

14/1

14

(10)

27th Jan 2025

Standard

1m 2f 150y

17:15 Dundalk (AW)

Zahee

9st 4lb

J: Donagh O’Connor

T: John C McConnell

The last of his three C&D wins came last March off 7lb higher than this mark; not in the best of form on last number of starts and others look more likely.

25/1

5th

14

(10)

27th Jan 2025

Standard

1m 2f 150y

17:15 Dundalk (AW)

Zahee

9st 4lb

J: Donagh O’Connor

T: John C McConnell

towards rear, headway over 1f out, kept on towards far side inside final furlong, not reach leaders

25/1

Form: 7-7190 D

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 0lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Left his previous form behind when bolting up in a Gowran handicap in June; disappointing twice since though, including on his first start since a gelding procedure latest; bit to prove now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

12

(14)

20th Oct 2023

Standard

1m 2f 150y

17:15 Dundalk (AW)

Sea Spray

9st 10lb

J: Shane Foley

T: Mrs John Harrington

Off the mark at the fifth attempt when landing a Gowran handicap from 3lb lower in June; struggled since though and looks flattered by that effort; needs to prove he's as effective on AW.

14/1

Form: 1-7541 D

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 5lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Got his head back in front in a competitive looking Curragh handicap last month; good value for the winning margin and a 3lb rise may not be insurmountable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

(9)

13th Sep 2025

Soft

0m 7f 0y

14:50 Leopardstown

Slieve Binnian

9st 5lb

J: Luke McAteer

T: David Marnane

Has progressed really well since joining this yard this term, recording back-to-back premier handicap wins at the Curragh and when hitting the line strongly here over 1m1f on quick ground; keen and never involved from a wide draw behind Dunum at Galway on latest; drop back to 7f may not suit.

12/1

7

(12)

29th Jul 2025

Yielding

1m 0f 123y

18:40 Galway

Slieve Binnian

9st 6lb

J: Luke McAteer

T: David Marnane

Has progressed really well since joining this yard this term, recording back-to-back premier handicap wins of late, at the Curragh and when hitting the line strongly over 1m1f at Leopardstown 19 days ago; strong stayer at this trip so a truly-run race will suit and favourable ground conditions persist.

5/1

1st

9

(7)

10th Jul 2025

Good

1m 1f 0y

19:20 Leopardstown

Slieve Binnian

9st 4lb

J: Luke McAteer

T: David Marnane

Winner of a premier handicap at the Curragh last time (1m, good); had a number of today's rivals behind him on that occasion; consistent runs prior to his recent win; up 5lb and a number of those in behind him didn't get a clear run that day so he could be vulnerable.

11/2

Form: 30-305

Last run: 51 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
15-race maiden but two of his better runs have come this season including when third on return at Leopardstown (1m5f, good) and when beaten 2l over 1m in a Killarney maiden last time; a return to this intermediate trip may suit and not ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

20th

3

(15)

23rd Oct 2024

Yielding

1m 6f 0y

17:25 Navan

Believe In Science

10st 0lb

J: Rory Cleary

T: J S Bolger

Now 0-24 but knocking on the door over the summer in staying handicaps off this mark; back from a break and respected.

12/1

3rd

6

(15)

25th Jul 2024

Yielding

1m 7f 0y

20:20 Leopardstown

Believe In Science

9st 7lb

J: Rory Cleary

T: J S Bolger

dwelt start, soon midfield, prominent after 5f

9/2

2nd

11

(11)

7th Jul 2024

Good To Firm

2m 1f 0y

17:15 Limerick

Believe In Science

9st 1lb

J: Rory Cleary

T: J S Bolger

in touch with leaders, went second under 3f out, kept on final furlong, no match for winner

7/1

OUR TIP

25/1

Form: 555-60

Last run: 26 days

W: 9st 10lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Heavy ground winner in France in 2021; hasn't shown enough in two runs for this yard so far and his mark looks stiff.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

1

21st Feb 2024

Heavy

2m 0f 148y

13:45 Punchestown

Ayrton

11st 12lb

J: Phillip Enright

T: T J O’Mara

Winner on the Flat in France at 2 but no trace of ability on the level for his current trainer; makes no appeal on his hurdling debut.

100/1

14th

4

(13)

16th Jan 2024

Standard

1m 2f 150y

14:15 Dundalk (AW)

Ayrton

9st 8lb

J: Gary Halpin

T: T J O’Mara

slowly into stride

14/1

12th

2

(6)

10th Nov 2023

Standard

1m 0f 0y

20:30 Dundalk (AW)

Ayrton

9st 13lb

J: W J Lee

T: T J O’Mara

midfield

20/1

Form: 0-950

Last run: 41 days

W: 8st 9lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 66

Form & Verdict
Showed very little on handicap debut last time when stepped up markedly in trip but this test might be more suitable and his mark looks fine.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

12

(13)

26th Jan 2024

Standard

1m 2f 150y

16:30 Dundalk (AW)

North Dorset

9st 5lb

J: Keithen Kennedy

T: Mrs John Harrington

Five-race maiden; poor form since stepping up in trip in handicaps; level of his maiden form would give him a squeak but off 141 days; wears first-time tongue-tie.

9/1

12th

12

(10)

7th Sep 2023

Good

1m 1f 136y

17:55 Clonmel

North Dorset

8st 9lb

J: Siobhan Rutledge

T: Mrs John Harrington

midfield

14/1

12th

2

(4)

28th Jul 2023

Yielding To Soft

1m 4f 175y

20:30 Down Royal

North Dorset

10st 0lb

J: Yudish Geerdharry

T: Mrs John Harrington

towards rear of midfield

12/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €24.70
Straight Forecast €23.54
Tricast €241.10
Trifecta €253.10

Selections

TOPSPEED:

Dark Note

RP RATINGS (IRE):

Simply Sideways

SPOTLIGHT:

Free Flow

POSTDATA:

Dark Note

The Irish Sun:

Simply Sideways