December 17 / 12.15 Thurles

12.15

Yielding

Molony Cup Handicap Chase

  • Prize money: £6004.42
  • 3m 0f 219y
  • 14 runners
RTV
View Course
Molony Cup Handicap Chase

Runners: 14 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

11/2 (Won)

  • Win: £9.90
  • Place: £2.20

Form: F-6952

Last run: 17 days

W: 11st 13lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
In contention when falling two out in a beginners' event at Limerick in May 2022; missed over a year, has recently begun to find his form again; fifth over 2m2f here on penultimate start; better when chasing home the favourite over 2m6f here on latest.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

4

19th Apr 2026

Soft

2m 4f 110y

15:53 Tramore

Toofareastiswest

11st 9lb

J: John Aherne

T: A M O’Grady

Useful form at one stage but hasn't won in well over two years and pulled up in four of last five outings; new headgear combination tried.

25/1

1

26th Feb 2026

Heavy

3m 0f 0y

15:44 Clonmel

Toofareastiswest

12st 0lb

J: John Aherne

T: A M O’Grady

Useful form at one stage; pulled up on final two starts last season; same outcome on return to action at Tramore; tailed off in a handicap chase at Thurles three weeks ago.

66/1

10th

9

5th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 2f 0y

13:42 Thurles

Toofareastiswest

11st 5lb

J: John Aherne

T: A M O’Grady

Pulled up on final two starts last season; same outcome on return to action at Tramore; seems safe to leave out of calculations.

50/1

12/1

  • Place: £3.10

Form: /8-006

Last run: 36 days

W: 10st 9lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Point winner at Boulta last December; placed on three other occasions in points; completely out of her depth in two runs in beginners chases'; trainer's handicap runners deserve respect, and this longer trip may help to produce significant improvement.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

6

10th Aug 2024

Good

3m 0f 190y

19:00 Kilbeggan

Lady Kate

11st 3lb

J: Liam Quinlan

T: Ray Hackett

Won a 2m7f handicap chase on soft ground at Tipperary in April off 93 after four months off; another good effort when third off revised mark of 99 on better ground at Downpatrick (2m7f); below par at Punchestown in early June; off 63 days since and returns with yard in decent form; was fresh when winning in April so could go well.

6/1

10/1

  • Place: £2.60

Form: 2147-0 D

Last run: 52 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Made well-deserved breakthrough win in a 3m Limerick handicap chase in March after four consecutive seconds; did not jump well on his seasonal debut over an inadequate trip at Clonmel in October; should be much more at home at this distance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

18th

15

10th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 80y

17:00 Cork

Made In The Woods

10st 6lb

J: G B Noonan

T: Norman Lee

Won a chase at Limerick in 2023 but 0-13 over hurdles and yet to trouble the judge; cheekpieces go on after a moderate run over fences at Clonmel on latest; 4lb lower in this sphere but others appeal more.

14/1

8/1

  • Place: £3.20

Form: 091217 D

Last run: 42 days

W: 11st 0lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Two wins from his last four starts over hurdles, both over staying trips; found 2m4f too short at Cork last time; 1-18 chase record is off-putting but his 11lb lower chase mark give him a definite chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

14

31st Oct 2025

Good To Yielding

3m 0f 30y

13:32 Down Royal

Fill The Tank

10st 11lb

J: Cian Cullinan

T: Aengus King

Three-time winner over hurdles at around this trip, although not for over two years; recent Limerick clear third over this trip encouraging and 7lb claimer booking a positive.

15/2

2nd

14

31st Oct 2025

Good To Yielding

3m 0f 30y

13:32 Down Royal

Fill The Tank

10st 11lb

J: Cian Cullinan

T: Aengus King

Three-time winner over hurdles at around this trip, although not for over two years; recent Limerick clear third over this trip encouraging and 7lb claimer booking a positive.

15/2

12

19th Oct 2025

Good

3m 0f 0y

15:40 Limerick

Fill The Tank

10st 10lb

J: Ms E C Costello

T: Aengus King

Three-time winner over hurdles at around this trip; over two years since his last success; fair form in handicaps during the summer; struggled in a claimer last time.

12/1

Form: 4557-P

Last run: 40 days

W: 12st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Decent effort when fourth to the useful Grandero Bello at Gowran in February; soundly beaten on his first two handicaps in the spring; pulled up after a bad mistake three out in a beginner's chase at Fairyhouse on his seasonal debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

22nd Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

15:40 Kelso

Low Mileage

11st 1lb

J: Edward Austin

T: George Bewley

0-16 over fences; went close off much reduced mark at Musselburgh (2m4f, good to soft) in February and has claims here if judged on that form but didn't fire at Hexham last month.

5/1

6

22nd Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

15:40 Kelso

Low Mileage

11st 1lb

J: Edward Austin

T: George Bewley

0-16 over fences; went close off much reduced mark at Musselburgh (2m4f, good to soft) in February and has claims here if judged on that form but didn't fire at Hexham last month.

5/1

7th

6

13th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 15y

Class 5

14:22 Hexham

Low Mileage

11st 6lb

J: Edward Austin

T: George Bewley

18-race maiden; sound efforts in cheekpieces last twice, finishing third at Catterick (1m7f, good) and runner-up at Musselburgh (2m4f, good to soft); interesting.

7/2

10/1

Form: P-2075 CD

Last run: 23 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Won twice over fences last season, a 20-1 success in this race 12 months ago and over 2m7f Clonmel in April, confirming her stamina; made an encouraging start to the season when second at Roscommon in September; questions to answer following three subsequent displays of lesser merit.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

2nd Mar 2024

Heavy

2m 4f 90y

16:58 Navan

Lizrona

11st 9lb

J: Niall Moore

T: Eric Larkin

didn't jump well, always behind, tailed off when bad mistake 2 out, soon pulled up

10/1

6th

2

27th Jan 2024

Soft

3m 2f 0y

13:40 Fairyhouse

Lizrona

11st 13lb

J: Niall Moore

T: Eric Larkin

Won twice over fences last season, over 3m at Thurles and 2m7f Clonmel, confirming her stamina; made an encouraging start to the season when second at Roscommon in September; questions to answer following four subsequent displays of lesser merit.

16/1

6th

2

17th Dec 2023

Yielding

3m 0f 219y

12:15 Thurles

Lizrona

12st 0lb

J: Niall Moore

T: Eric Larkin

Won twice over fences last season, a 20-1 success in this race 12 months ago and over 2m7f Clonmel in April, confirming her stamina; made an encouraging start to the season when second at Roscommon in September; questions to answer following three subsequent displays of lesser merit.

10/1

Form: 125245 D

Last run: 36 days

W: 11st 1lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Staying type who has been mixing hurdling and chasing this season; just denied in a 3m1f chase at Roscommon in August and in a 2m6f hurdle at Galway in September; found 2m inadequate at Aintree last month.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12

8th Sep 2025

Yielding To Soft

2m 6f 97y

17:52 Galway

Tullyhogue Fort

11st 0lb

J: Sean O’Keeffe

T: John F O’Neill

Ran well when second at Kilbeggan in July but was still beaten 13l; outclassed on the Flat latest but this much more suitable and was a close second in a division of this race in 2023 off 5lb higher; place shout.

16/1

9

(6)

22nd Aug 2025

Good

2m 0f 180y

20:15 Killarney

Tullyhogue Fort

11st 4lb

J: Mr P J O’Neill

T: John F O’Neill

Capable jumper at an ordinary level; rated 42 on the Flat and should be outclassed.

200/1

10

5th Aug 2025

Yielding

2m 5f 155y

19:30 Roscommon

Tullyhogue Fort

11st 3lb

J: Mr P J O’Neill

T: John F O’Neill

Winless run stretches back to July 2023; beaten 13l when second of 12 in a Kilbeggan handicap hurdle (18.5f, good) on latest; remains 4lb above his last win but has run well on both previous visits to this venue; place chance.

17/2

Form: 113165 D

Last run: 17 days

W: 10st 10lb

13 yo Gelding

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Veteran has enjoyed a new lease of life this year, winning three of his five races (all over hurdles) between June and September; poor display at Listowel when race may have come too soon after Ballinrobe win; has limited chasing experience; did not jump well here late last month, well held by Toofareastiswest on that running.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

13

17th Dec 2023

Yielding

3m 0f 219y

12:15 Thurles

Dorans River

10st 10lb

J: James O’Sullivan

T: P J Rothwell

Veteran has enjoyed a new lease of life this year, winning three of his five races (all over hurdles) between June and September; poor display at Listowel when race may have come too soon after Ballinrobe win; has limited chasing experience; did not jump well here late last month, well held by Toofareastiswest on that running.

14/1

5th

7

30th Nov 2023

Yielding

2m 6f 0y

13:15 Thurles

Dorans River

10st 8lb

J: Simon Torrens

T: P J Rothwell

Veteran has enjoyed a new lease of life this year, winning three of his five races (all over hurdles) between June and September; poor display at Listowel when race may have come too soon after Ballinrobe win; has run only five times over fences; form is weak but able to run off 18lb lower than hurdles mark.

8/1

6th

11

20th Sep 2023

Good

3m 0f 0y

15:15 Listowel

Dorans River

10st 5lb

J: Cian Quirke

T: P J Rothwell

Teenager has been rejuvenated lately, winning three of last four, including when arriving late to win at Ballinrobe 5 days ago; 7lb penalty to carry but has to be considered.

9/1

16/1

Form: 45-995

Last run: 19 days

W: 10st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Tramore maiden hurdle winner; modest chase credentials so far; 2m2f trip looked inadequate on her handicap chase debut at this venue; showed only marginal improvement when raised in trip at Tramore; new headgear combination.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

2

19th Apr 2026

Soft

2m 4f 110y

15:53 Tramore

Maciver

11st 9lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: A M O’Grady

Reeled off a four-timer (three chases and one handicap hurdle) early last year; began 2026 with an encouraging second over C&D but soon beaten at Cork last month (3m); more needed but goes well here.

13/2

5th

4

19th Mar 2026

Yielding To Soft

3m 0f 45y

17:00 Cork

Maciver

11st 9lb

J: Mr R Sugrue

T: A M O’Grady

Reeled off a four-timer (three chases and one handicap hurdle) early last year; second in two of his three hurdle starts this season; began 2026 with an encouraging second at Tramore; raised 4lb for that but still 8lb lower than his chase mark; strong chance.

5/2

6

18th Nov 2025

Heavy

2m 5f 0y

14:35 Limerick

Maciver

11st 6lb

J: John Aherne

T: A M O’Grady

Notched a four-timer earlier in the year including one over C&D plus three chases; belwo form when last seen; has a chance if ready on return.

4/1

Form: 432693

Last run: 45 days

W: 10st 13lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Modest strike rate over hurdles (1-21); positives to be taken from her third place here last month; that was over a much shorter trip, but she can be given reasonable prospects of producing something similar, and perhaps even improving, over this trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

7

22nd May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 5f 180y

18:29 Downpatrick

Game And Glory

11st 2lb

J: Dylan Robinson

T: P J Rothwell

Dual hurdles winner but was pulled up on her last visit to the track in a chase and pulled up last time over hurdles at Thurles.

33/1

14th

21

2nd May 2026

Yielding

2m 0f 0y

18:35 Punchestown

Game And Glory

11st 9lb

J: Christopher Shuker

T: P J Rothwell

Two-time hurdle winner but rated just 87, pulled up latest, up against it here.

40/1

OUR TIP

Form: 3-4854

Last run: 24 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
0-11 over hurdles, placed five times; showed improved form on his third start over fences, finishing 25l fourth behind the top-class Klassical Dream over 2m6f at this venue; possibly flattered by that and has plenty of weight for his first handicap.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

25th Aug 2025

Good

2m 6f 61y

18:43 Ballinrobe

Friends N Commerce

11st 12lb

J: Miss L Costello

T: Patrick G Kelly

Still seeking a first win after 25 races; reverts from chasing; raced five times over hurdles, but others have better claims; new headgear combination.

20/1

12th

5

1st Jul 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 7f 35y

15:18 Tipperary

Friends N Commerce

11st 6lb

J: Robbie Geoghegan

T: Patrick G Kelly

Maiden has run well in defeat at times; unlucky to unseat at Punchestown last time; needs a return to his best form.

14/1

5

7th Jun 2025

Good

3m 0f 157y

14:20 Punchestown

Friends N Commerce

11st 6lb

J: Aaron Anderson

T: Patrick G Kelly

Unable to win a race in 23 starts; returned from over a year break when finishing in midfield in a Cork handicap hurdle last month (2m4f, good); ran to a similar level when beaten 18.5L 12 days later in a Limerick handicap chase; his best form has come on soft ground so others are preferred.

15/1

Form: 6534P8

Last run: 17 days

W: 11st 11lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
Bumper winner and dual hurdles winner; 0-10 chasing, one of his better efforts when fourth in 2m6f Galway handicap in September; pulled up at Clonmel in October; did not jump well when last of eight finishers here last time Toofareastiswest second then.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

7

17th Dec 2023

Yielding

3m 0f 219y

12:15 Thurles

Slige Dala

11st 11lb

J: Conor Smithers

T: Patrick T Foley

Bumper winner and dual hurdles winner; 0-10 chasing, one of his better efforts when fourth in 2m6f Galway handicap in September; pulled up at Clonmel in October; did not jump well when last of eight finishers here last time Toofareastiswest second then.

16/1

8th

3

30th Nov 2023

Yielding

2m 6f 0y

13:15 Thurles

Slige Dala

11st 12lb

J: Michael O’Sullivan

T: Patrick T Foley

Bumper winner and dual hurdles winner is 0-9 chasing, one of his better efforts when fourth in 2m6f Galway handicap in September; pulled up at Clonmel five weeks ago; fair chance of making the frame if restored to form.

10/1

0

1

26th Oct 2023

Heavy

2m 4f 156y

16:55 Clonmel

Slige Dala

12st 0lb

J: Conor Smithers

T: Patrick T Foley

Bumper winner and dual hurdles winner is 0-8 chasing, one of his better efforts when fourth in 2m6f Galway handicap on latest; drops in grade and not one to rule out.

11/2

Form: 593451

Last run: 19 days

W: 11st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Point winner; fair fourth on handicap chase debut at Listowel in September; not at his best when an unplaced favourite over 2m7f at Killarney in October; took full advantage of return to beginners' company when winning easily at Tramore; should remain competitive despite 6lb rise.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

5

17th Dec 2023

Yielding

3m 0f 219y

12:15 Thurles

Leish Oscars Son

11st 12lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: Gavin Cromwell

Point winner; fair fourth on handicap chase debut at Listowel in September; not at his best when an unplaced favourite over 2m7f at Killarney in October; took full advantage of return to beginners' company when winning easily at Tramore; should remain competitive despite 6lb rise.

4/1

1st

16

28th Nov 2023

Soft

2m 5f 100y

14:30 Tramore

Leish Oscars Son

11st 12lb

T: Gavin Cromwell

Point winner; not disgraced in handicap chases this term, though not at his best when an unplaced favourite over 2m7f at Killarney; reserve.

Form: 0064P5

Last run: 40 days

W: 10st 6lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Point winner; poor maiden over hurdles; no encouragement from his form in beginners' chases; tailed off at Faiyhouse in his first handicap; first-time blinkers now; reserve,
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

9

27th Jan 2024

Soft

3m 2f 0y

13:40 Fairyhouse

Finding Freedom

10st 2lb

J: Sam Ewing

T: John Joseph Hanlon

Point winner; poor maiden over hurdles; no encouragement from his form in beginners' chases; tailed off at this venue in his first handicap; pulled up at Thurles in first-time blinkers which are now replaced with cheekpieces.

33/1

Non-runners

Baldur's Gate, Easy Bucks

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €209.40
Straight Forecast €155.85
Tricast €2134.68

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Leish Oscars Son

RP RATINGS (IRE):

Baldur's Gate

POSTDATA:

Friends N Commerce

The Irish Sun:

Leish Oscars Son