December 17 / 15.10 Thurles

15.10

Yielding

Horse & Jockey Hotel Rated Novice Hurdle

  • Prize money: £7831.86
  • 2m 7f 0y
  • 10 runners
RTV
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Horse & Jockey Hotel Rated Novice Hurdle

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

7/2 (Won)

  • Win: £5.30
  • Place: £1.60

Form: 5-3212 D BF

Last run: 162 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
Had picked up plenty of hurdling experience before winning a Punchestown maiden during the summer; no match for the running Dartan (now-139 rated, 112 at the time) in a 3m handicap at Bellewstown in July; may continue to prosper following transfer to a top yard.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

24th Aug 2024

Good

2m 7f 80y

16:50 Killarney

Easy Fella

11st 6lb

J: Rachael Blackmore

T: Henry De Bromhead

made all, jumped well, clear from 1st, not fluent 4 out, reduced lead 2 out, shaken up and went clear again approaching last, ran on well run-in

11/2

3rd

2

9th Jun 2024

Good

3m 0f 80y

13:45 Punchestown

Easy Fella

11st 10lb

J: Mike O’Connor

T: Henry De Bromhead

prominent, led before 2nd, hit 2 out, headed approaching last, lost second run-in, kept on

5/2

1st

3

9th May 2024

Yielding

2m 7f 80y

18:40 Tipperary

Easy Fella

11st 12lb

J: Rachael Blackmore

T: Henry De Bromhead

jumped well, held up in rear, headway 5th, pressed leader 11th, led before 5 out, pushed along and went clear before 2 out, eased run-in, impressive

5/2

OUR TIP

6/1

  • Place: £2.20

Form: 239-15 BF

Last run: 49 days

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Point winner; placed in two bumpers; stayed 2m4f well when winning a maiden hurdle at Gowran in September; failed to back that up at Galway.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

26th May 2025

Good

2m 7f 72y

18:30 Ballinrobe

Mint Boy

11st 10lb

J: Patrick M O’Brien

T: Gavin Cromwell

Two-time hurdles winner is 0-6 over fences; unseated when 8-1 at Cheltenham in March; didn't get home in the Irish National in April; cheekpieces now tried; others make more appeal.

16/1

3

26th May 2025

Good

2m 7f 72y

18:30 Ballinrobe

Mint Boy

11st 10lb

J: Patrick M O’Brien

T: Gavin Cromwell

Two-time hurdles winner is 0-6 over fences; unseated when 8-1 at Cheltenham in March; didn't get home in the Irish National in April; cheekpieces now tried; others make more appeal.

16/1

14th

23

21st Apr 2025

Soft To Heavy

3m 5f 37y

17:00 Fairyhouse

Mint Boy

10st 9lb

J: Kevin Sexton

T: Gavin Cromwell

2-6 over hurdles, rated 137; has reached the same mark over fences despite failing to win in five attempts; fair effort when third over 2m6f at Punchestown in February; among the leading fancies (8-1) for the Kim Muir, made a bad mistake at the 15th and unseated rider; renews rivalry with the first three home.

25/1

25/1

  • Place: £14.90

Form: -846PP D

Last run: 14 days

W: 11st 4lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Won twice over fences two seasons ago; out of form as a chaser at present; failed to make an impression in a handicap hurdle at Ballinrobe in August; makes little appeal against younger in-form rivals.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

6

9th Jun 2026

Good

3m 1f 170y

19:30 Sligo

The Dabbler

11st 12lb

J: Mr P W Gleeson

T: Liam P Cusack

Veteran won over C&D in 2024; has been mostly over fences since during a truncated period and has to bring his best now back hurdling.

20/1

8

4th Nov 2025

Soft

3m 0f 82y

12:45 Fairyhouse

The Dabbler

10st 13lb

J: Aidan Kelly

T: Liam P Cusack

Veteran produced his best effort for some time when a 9l third at Punchestown (2m7f, gd-yld) last month; career low mark now but hasn't won over fences since 2021 and this ground may be a shade soft for him.

10/1

Form: 43-31

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Bought for 110,000GBP after a point-to-point second at Tattersalls Farm in 2022 autumn campaign; placed in a pair of maidens in the spring, including third behind Ottizini at Downpatrick; appeared to have a fair amount in hand when winning a Punchestown handicap three weeks ago; stays well, progressive.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

29th Jan 2024

Soft

2m 4f 0y

15:10 Punchestown

Bob Cigar

11st 9lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Gordon Elliott

led narrowly or disputed lead, going easily after 2 out

5/1

4th

5

17th Dec 2023

Yielding

2m 7f 0y

15:10 Thurles

Bob Cigar

11st 9lb

J: Danny Gilligan

T: Gordon Elliott

Bought for 110,000GBP after a point-to-point second at Tattersalls Farm in 2022 autumn campaign; placed in a pair of maidens in the spring, including third behind Ottizini at Downpatrick; appeared to have a fair amount in hand when winning a Punchestown handicap three weeks ago; stays well, progressive.

7/2

1st

2

26th Nov 2023

Soft

3m 0f 100y

12:45 Punchestown

Bob Cigar

11st 11lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Gordon Elliott

led narrowly or disputed lead early, led clearly before 6th

4/1

Form: 98-7

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Useful 96-rated Flat performer, a four-time handicap winner in Britain; two ordinary maiden hurdle outings last season, tailed off at Cheltenham on seasonal debut; blinkered for the first time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12

26th Oct 2025

Yielding

2m 6f 111y

13:25 Galway

Zeeband

11st 12lb

J: Jack G Gilligan

T: Paul John Gilligan

Winner of eight races (four Flat) and four over hurdles between March and June last year; rated a very respectable 136 over hurdles; pulled up before the last on his recent chase debut at Sligo, having made a bad mistake four out; beat watched for the moment.

20/1

9

1st Oct 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 1f 120y

14:25 Sligo

Zeeband

11st 12lb

J: Jack G Gilligan

T: Paul John Gilligan

Dual Flat winner has won four over hurdles, with the last of those coming at Killarney in 2024; well beaten in a Grade 2 novice when last seen; needs to be at his best on chasing debut after a long absence.

16/1

8th

8

1st Dec 2024

Yielding

2m 0f 110y

13:35 Fairyhouse

Zeeband

11st 4lb

J: Jack G Gilligan

T: Paul John Gilligan

soon prominent

20/1

Form: 0-2114 D

Last run: 30 days

W: 12st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Recorded two wide-margin wins in July, over 3m Wexford on good to yielding and over 2m6f at Cartmel; weakened from two out in 2m5f Cheltenham Grade 2 contest a month ago; down in class now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

1

17th Dec 2023

Yielding

2m 7f 0y

15:10 Thurles

Kinbara

12st 0lb

J: Ben Harvey

T: John C McConnell

Recorded two wide-margin wins in July, over 3m Wexford on good to yielding and over 2m6f at Cartmel; weakened from two out in 2m5f Cheltenham Grade 2 contest a month ago; down in class now.

6/1

4th

3

17th Nov 2023

Soft

2m 5f 0y

Class 1

15:30 Cheltenham

Kinbara

11st 2lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: John C McConnell

Irish 5yo who is 2-2 since switch to hurdles, recording 18l wins at Wexford (3m, good to yielding) and Cartmel (2m6f, heavy) in July; now goes in tongue-tie; faces stiffer opposition upped in class but looks useful and brings respectable RPRs to this bigger stage; interesting contender.

5/1

1st

2

22nd Jul 2023

Soft

2m 6f 31y

Class 4

14:15 Cartmel

Kinbara

11st 9lb

J: Ben Harvey

T: John C McConnell

Point and bumper winner; easily justified favouritism on hurdles debut at Wexford (3m maiden; good to yielding) a fortnight ago; penalised accordingly but trainer usually does well with his British runners (2-4 at Cartmel this season); likely to have plenty more to offer with conditions to suit.

4/9

Form: 4-16

Last run: 36 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Modest form in points; stepped up from a bumper run when winning a maiden hurdle over 2m3f on soft at Clonmel in May; 2m was probably inadequate on his return at Gowran last month; improvement likely over this trip with the run under his belt
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

26th May 2025

Good

2m 1f 54y

18:00 Ballinrobe

Evesham Road

11st 12lb

J: Philip Byrnes

T: C Byrnes

Hurdles winner; pulled up on chasing debut at Down Royal a year ago; struggled on his recent reappearance at Tipperary.

50/1

3

26th May 2025

Good

2m 1f 54y

18:00 Ballinrobe

Evesham Road

11st 12lb

J: Philip Byrnes

T: C Byrnes

Hurdles winner; pulled up on chasing debut at Down Royal a year ago; struggled on his recent reappearance at Tipperary.

50/1

11th

6

8th May 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 7f 110y

18:42 Tipperary

Evesham Road

11st 12lb

J: Philip Byrnes

T: C Byrnes

Hurdles winner was pulled up on chasing debut when last seen at Down Royal over a year ago, jumping out to his left at times; cheekpieces added; best watched after a break but any market confidence could be significant.

16/1

Form: 53-173 BF

Last run: 17 days

W: 11st 6lb

6 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Readily won a 2m6f maiden hurdle at Downpatrick in May; found trip inadequate and opposition too strong when a remote seventh in 2m1f Grade 3 mares' novice at Down Royal last month; got a kick before the start when a beaten favourite at Musselburgh last time; capable of better.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

5th Mar 2026

Soft To Heavy

2m 6f 198y

16:05 Thurles

Ottizzini

10st 7lb

J: Sam Ewing

T: S R B Crawford

Three-time hurdle winner including 3m1f Ayr handicap in November 2024; two chase efforts since return didn't measure up; pulled up over hurdles at Navan in December; cheekpieces.

14/1

1

2nd Nov 2025

Good

2m 4f 198y

Class 3

12:32 Carlisle

Ottizzini

11st 10lb

J: J J Slevin

T: S R B Crawford

Useful hurdler who gained last season's win on her reappearance outing at Ayr (3m, good); should be fine over this stiff 2m5f on her chasing debut but others in this field probably have more potential.

10/1

1

2nd Nov 2025

Good

2m 4f 198y

Class 3

12:32 Carlisle

Ottizzini

11st 10lb

J: J J Slevin

T: S R B Crawford

Useful hurdler who gained last season's win on her reappearance outing at Ayr (3m, good); should be fine over this stiff 2m5f on her chasing debut but others in this field probably have more potential.

10/1

Form: 49/3-5

Last run: 127 days

W: 11st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
Won a 1m4f handicap at Newmarket in 2021 when trained by the Gosdens; no success during a spell with John McConnell; not far behind Camino Rock when fifth in a 2m3f maiden at Kilbeggan in August; most recent run was on the Flat; makes stable debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

8

(16)

22nd Nov 2024

Standard

1m 4f 0y

20:30 Dundalk (AW)

Meritorious

9st 7lb

J: Wesley Joyce

T: Thomas Dowling

Without a win since 2021 and he is 0-7 on the AW; pulled up on stable debut in a novice hurdle at Thurles when last seen in December 2023; impossible to make a case for.

28/1

11th

8

(16)

22nd Nov 2024

Standard

1m 4f 0y

20:30 Dundalk (AW)

Meritorious

9st 7lb

J: Wesley Joyce

T: Thomas Dowling

Without a win since 2021 and he is 0-7 on the AW; pulled up on stable debut in a novice hurdle at Thurles when last seen in December 2023; impossible to make a case for.

28/1

0

8

17th Dec 2023

Yielding

2m 7f 0y

15:10 Thurles

Meritorious

11st 5lb

J: Kevin Sexton

T: Thomas Dowling

Won a 1m4f handicap at Newmarket in 2021 when trained by the Gosdens; no success during a spell with John McConnell; not far behind Camino Rock when fifth in a 2m3f maiden at Kilbeggan in August; most recent run was on the Flat; makes stable debut.

16/1

Form: 63-432 BF

Last run: 114 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Some decent efforts last season including a good third in a competitive 25-runner 2m4f handicap at the Punchestown festival; beaten favourite in two maiden outings at Kilbeggan in August; trip not a problem but will need a career-best to beat previous winners.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

22nd Jan 2026

Heavy

2m 7f 110y

13:10 Gowran Park

Camino Rock

11st 2lb

J: Charlie O’Dwyer

T: M F Morris

Modest strike-rate of 1-26 under rules and tailed off in five runs before pulling up on his last two outings; difficult to fancy.

100/1

9th

2

2nd Nov 2025

Yielding

2m 0f 0y

13:10 Cork

Camino Rock

11st 8lb

J: Phillip Enright

T: M F Morris

Sole success came off 7lb lower at Kilbeggan (24.5f, yielding) in September 2024; well below best last three starts (including on chasing debut most recently) and this trip looks too sharp for him.

20/1

9th

2

2nd Nov 2025

Yielding

2m 0f 0y

13:10 Cork

Camino Rock

11st 8lb

J: Phillip Enright

T: M F Morris

Sole success came off 7lb lower at Kilbeggan (24.5f, yielding) in September 2024; well below best last three starts (including on chasing debut most recently) and this trip looks too sharp for him.

20/1

Non-runners

Getaway Charlie

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €23.30
Straight Forecast €37.84
Trifecta €1977.50

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Bob Cigar

RP RATINGS (IRE):

Kinbara

The Irish Sun:

Getaway Charlie

TOPSPEED:

Bob Cigar

POSTDATA:

Bob Cigar