February 08 / 16.15 Thurles

16.15

Yielding To Soft

Killinan Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £5130.43
  • 2m 6f 88y
  • 17 runners
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Killinan Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 17 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Rain and snow

Form: 0671FP

Last run: 12 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Best effort when landing a 3m handicap hurdle off 91 at Listowel in September; failed to complete twice since and pulled up at Fairyhouse two weeks ago; respected in a very winnable contest.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

13

13th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 6f 0y

15:18 Punchestown

Another Nightmare

10st 1lb

J: Paddy Hanlon

T: Miss Tara Lee Cogan

midfield early, not fluent and pushed along briefly 1st, in rear when reminder before 5th, midfield 6th

14/1

13th

13

13th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 6f 0y

15:18 Punchestown

Another Nightmare

10st 1lb

J: Paddy Hanlon

T: Miss Tara Lee Cogan

midfield early, not fluent and pushed along briefly 1st, in rear when reminder before 5th, midfield 6th

14/1

24

1st Jan 2025

Good To Yielding

3m 0f 110y

13:50 Fairyhouse

Another Nightmare

10st 0lb

J: Paddy Hanlon

T: Miss Tara Lee Cogan

Won over this trip at Listowel in 2023 but lost her form afterwards; has to do more even off a favourable mark

33/1

Form: 0-084P

Last run: 72 days

W: 11st 13lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Not disgraced in a Limerick maiden hurdle in November; pulled up over fences at Tramore since after jumping poorly; cheekpieces tried in his first handicap hurdle; not a forlorn hope.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

13th Feb 2024

Heavy

2m 6f 88y

16:15 Thurles

Soldat Flamboyant

11st 13lb

J: Mr J G Murphy

T: Daniel G Murphy

Not disgraced in a Limerick maiden hurdle in November; pulled up over fences at Tramore since after jumping poorly; cheekpieces tried in his first handicap hurdle; not a forlorn hope.

12/1

0

9

28th Nov 2023

Soft

2m 5f 100y

14:30 Tramore

Soldat Flamboyant

11st 12lb

J: Ambrose McCurtin

T: Daniel G Murphy

Remote second in a point; only mild encouragement from last week's remote fourth in a maiden hurdle at Limerick, 3 1/2l behind Rising Dust.

20/1

OUR TIP

Form: 8-803

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 11lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Average maiden form but improved to finish third in a handicap hurdle at Punchestown behind the well-handicapped Buachaillbocht (runner-up No Fussing touched off on Monday); probably capable of better and looks a leading contender here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

29th Mar 2026

Yielding To Soft

2m 5f 185y

15:52 Downpatrick

Lough Nigara

11st 12lb

J: Ricky Doyle

T: Eoin Griffin

Quirky sort who can sometimes be reluctant to race; got a deserved first win after a series of fine runs in defeat at Punchestown in January (2m6f, soft to heavy); beaten just a neck back there next time; bagged another win at Thurles earlier this month, rallying to get back up by a nose despite rider dropping his whip; up 7lb but in great form.

9/4

1st

11

5th Mar 2026

Soft To Heavy

2m 6f 198y

16:38 Thurles

Lough Nigara

11st 5lb

J: Ricky Doyle

T: Eoin Griffin

Gained a deserved first win in 2m6f handicap at Punchestown (soft to heavy) following a series of fine runs in defeat; refused to race at Fairyhouse next time; was again reluctant to line up at Punchestown latest but ran a cracker to be beaten a neck; big player but comes with risks attached; new headgear.

3/1

2nd

6

4th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 3f 17y

14:48 Punchestown

Lough Nigara

10st 9lb

J: Ricky Doyle

T: Eoin Griffin

Gained a deserved first win in a 2m6f handicap at this track following a series of fine runs in defeat; however, refused to race at Fairyhouse yesterday.

12/1

Form: 0323P2

Last run: 38 days

W: 11st 11lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
A 16-race maiden with good placed form to his credit, although did not look that keen to go through with it at Tramore last month; a run to that level will still leave him thereabouts here though.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

15

22nd May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 5f 180y

18:29 Downpatrick

Toor Moon

10st 4lb

J: Niall Moore

T: Ms M Flynn

Longstanding maiden has plenty of placed efforts to his name over fences and hurdles, including a C&D third in March from 2lb higher; below best in two starts since; place shout but hard to fancy for win purposes.

20/1

15th

17

10th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 80y

17:00 Cork

Toor Moon

10st 5lb

J: Liam Quinlan

T: Ms M Flynn

Long-standing maiden has plenty of placed efforts to his name over fences and hurdles; beaten 9.5l when third of 14 at Downpatrick on penultimate (2m6f, yld-sft); below best in Tramore handicap chase latest; place shout but hard to fancy for win purposes.

10/1

7th

10

20th Apr 2026

Soft

2m 5f 160y

19:12 Tramore

Toor Moon

10st 10lb

J: Liam Quinlan

T: Ms M Flynn

Consistent form last autumn, finishing placed five times in a row, two over hurdles; runner-up in his first three handicap chase starts, including over C&D; lost form for a while before a reassuring effort over hurdles at Downpatrick; a leading contender.

11/2

Form: 509PP-

Last run: 348 days

W: 11st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Not far behind Zarak The Brave in a juvenile maiden hurdle last season but failed to improve on that; off for a year and debuts here for Paul Nolan; worth a market check up in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

5

25th Apr 2024

Yielding To Soft

3m 0f 0y

17:15 Wexford

Scarbrook

10st 11lb

J: Jordan Gainford

T: Paul Nolan

Not far behind Zarak The Brave in a juvenile maiden hurdle last season; failed to improve on that; returned from a year off to win at Thurles on first start for this stable; pulled a shoe and finished lame when favourite at Cork five weeks ago; every chance if fully recovered; trainer also runs Tranquil Sea.

11/2

6th

5

25th Apr 2024

Yielding To Soft

3m 0f 0y

17:15 Wexford

Scarbrook

10st 11lb

J: Jordan Gainford

T: Paul Nolan

Not far behind Zarak The Brave in a juvenile maiden hurdle last season; failed to improve on that; returned from a year off to win at Thurles on first start for this stable; pulled a shoe and finished lame when favourite at Cork five weeks ago; every chance if fully recovered; trainer also runs Tranquil Sea.

11/2

2

21st Mar 2024

Soft To Heavy

3m 0f 70y

17:08 Cork

Scarbrook

12st 1lb

J: Mr Paddy Barlow

T: Paul Nolan

midfield on inner, in touch with leaders after 3rd, weakened and pulled up before 3 out

3/1

Form: -00000 C

Last run: 98 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Won maiden hurdle last season here but really struggling in handicaps since the summer and others preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

9

10th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 80y

17:00 Cork

Navy Waves

10st 13lb

J: Ryan Treacy

T: Mrs Julie Cashin

Has generally struggled since winning at Galway (22.5f, good) last September; a bit better when a plugging-on third of 16 at Tramore (2m5f, gd-yld) on latest but was 16l behind the winner; longer trip here a plus.

8/1

3rd

11

20th Apr 2026

Soft

2m 5f 0y

18:12 Tramore

Navy Waves

11st 0lb

J: Ryan Treacy

T: Mrs Julie Cashin

Unplaced in four starts since a 20-1 Galway win last autumn; remote sixth in a 3m handicap at Cork last month on first run after a break.

14/1

Form: PU0099

Last run: 79 days

W: 11st 7lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Poor handicap form since returning from a very brief spell chasing; makes no appeal.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

16th

15

28th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 200y

17:50 Limerick

Winter Carnival

10st 2lb

J: Alan King

T: John Neilan

Third at this venue in January 2025 seems to have been a flash in the pan; down the field here last December and absent since; now a 22-race maiden.

20/1

17

25th Oct 2025

Yielding

3m 0f 0y

16:45 Galway

Winter Carnival

10st 4lb

J: Alan King

T: John Neilan

Long standing maiden but he is capable of running well off this mark if in the mood; however, he's been off since a below par run in April and might just need this run after a 197 day break.

25/1

10th

15

11th Apr 2025

Good

2m 5f 110y

18:47 Ballinrobe

Winter Carnival

10st 6lb

J: Alan King

T: John Neilan

Has shown enough to win a race but still a maiden; went closest to scoring when 3rd at Limerick last time; handles better ground so a chance with a repeat.

10/1

Form: P00863

Last run: 15 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Improved effort back over hurdles last time when fading into third in a Fairyhouse handicap hurdle last month; better ground likely to help and has an each-way chance on his latest start.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14

26th Sep 2025

Yielding

2m 6f 0y

15:43 Listowel

Lilys Choice

10st 6lb

J: Sean Flanagan

T: David Harry Kelly

Maiden hasn't troubled the judge in three runs since return from a 527 day layoff; jumping often an issue, though she was hampered when unseating latest; others appeal more.

40/1

13

19th Sep 2025

Yielding

2m 1f 165y

15:21 Downpatrick

Lilys Choice

10st 6lb

J: Cian Quirke

T: David Harry Kelly

Yet to make much of an impact under rules with lack of fluency in jumping a consistent issue; tailed off in two starts following 527-day break, although slight improvement last time; others bring more pressing claims.

25/1

6th

15

8th Aug 2025

Good

3m 0f 0y

18:03 Wexford

Lilys Choice

10st 12lb

T: David Harry Kelly

First reserve; Yet to make much of an impact under Rules and jumping has been an issue; tailed off after 527-day layoff over 16.5f here on latest; others have more pressing claims.

Form: 9-4090

Last run: 153 days

W: 11st 5lb

9 yo Mare

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Maiden hurdle winner in 2021 on better ground and most of her better form is on goodish ground; best watched on her first run since September.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

12

13th Feb 2024

Heavy

2m 6f 88y

16:15 Thurles

Toor Moment

11st 5lb

J: Ethan O’Sullivan

T: Ms M Flynn

Maiden hurdle winner in 2021 on better ground and most of her better form is on goodish ground; best watched on her first run since September.

25/1

10th

5

8th Sep 2023

Good

3m 0f 100y

17:12 Kilbeggan

Toor Moment

11st 8lb

J: Ethan O’Sullivan

T: Ms M Flynn

in touch with leaders

20/1

Form: P0900

Last run: 60 days

W: 11st 3lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Point winner but no show on any of her runs on the track, including on her handicap debut at Cork in December; certainly capable of better and perhaps a market watch may tell more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12

14th Apr 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 5f 180y

18:55 Tramore

Colline Fleurie

11st 1lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Brendan Maurice Walsh

Point-to-point winner for Sam Curling as 5yo; poor hurdles form and makes chase debut having being off for over a year.

20/1

12

14th Apr 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 5f 180y

18:55 Tramore

Colline Fleurie

11st 1lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Brendan Maurice Walsh

Point-to-point winner for Sam Curling as 5yo; poor hurdles form and makes chase debut having being off for over a year.

20/1

Form: 864-06 D

Last run: 41 days

W: 11st 3lb

10 yo Mare

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Quite soundly beaten in a hurdle and a chase since returning from her summer break; others preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

6

18th Apr 2024

Heavy

2m 7f 0y

18:45 Clonmel

Seangoell

10st 0lb

J: J J Slevin

T: Norman Lee

pushed along briefly, briefly led, prominent soon after start, pressed leader from 8th, led narrowly 4 out, joined before 3 out

6/1

Form: /3P0/0

Last run: 58 days

W: 11st 3lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Lightly-raced 9yo whose form, over hurdles and fences, doesn't amount to much; better for last month's yard debut here after a long lay-off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

19

13th Feb 2024

Heavy

2m 6f 88y

16:15 Thurles

Wanchu Bach

11st 3lb

J: Donagh Meyler

T: Padraig Roche

Lightly-raced 9yo whose form doesn't amount to much; made a couple of errors when down the field at Punchestown on stable debut after a long absence; due to run in the 3.15 at Navan on Sunday; third reserve.

13

11th Feb 2024

Heavy

2m 6f 0y

15:15 Navan

Wanchu Bach

10st 10lb

J: Donagh Meyler

T: Padraig Roche

in touch with leaders, fell 1st

16/1

Form: 99PP89

Last run: 70 days

W: 10st 13lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Hurdles and chase form not up to much; reverts back to hurdles after a poor run in a point at Turtulla last month for this yard.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

12

7th Aug 2024

Good

2m 0f 160y

17:45 Wexford

Copper Coast

10st 13lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Sarah Joanna Connell

midfield

33/1

9th

16

13th Jul 2024

Good

2m 3f 110y

16:25 Wexford

Copper Coast

10st 2lb

J: Mark McDonagh

T: Sarah Joanna Connell

Modest mare but only beaten 6l in Tramore handicap in May; well held in three starts since.

25/1

Form: 705948

Last run: 10 days

W: 10st 13lb

9 yo Mare

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
A 23-race maiden; well beaten in a handicap hurdle and chase last twice; others preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

18

16th Oct 2025

Good

2m 6f 154y

17:00 Thurles

Glorious Singer

10st 0lb

J: Gearoid Brouder

T: Ms M Flynn

Longstanding maiden and no signs of breaking her duck in recent runs.

25/1

7th

18

27th Sep 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 6f 0y

15:55 Listowel

Glorious Singer

10st 3lb

J: Ms A Power

T: Ms M Flynn

Longstanding maiden and no signs of breaking her duck in recent runs.

40/1

Abandoned

Form: 358950

Last run: 58 days

W: 11st 6lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
First reserve; decent hunter chase form last year would bring her into contention.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

7

16th Aug 2024

Good

2m 5f 180y

17:35 Tramore

True Or False

11st 6lb

J: Alex Harvey

T: D McNamara

Winning start over hurdles in May but hasn't backed that up in three starts since; showed ability over fences last year so respected from 5lb lower chase mark.

15/2

5th

9

23rd Jul 2024

Good To Yielding

2m 6f 0y

19:23 Ballinrobe

True Or False

11st 7lb

J: Alex Harvey

T: D McNamara

Got off the mark when winning over C&D but hasn't been at the same level twice since; dropped 1lb but it might not be enough to win again.

12/1

7th

1

4th Jul 2024

Good To Yielding

3m 0f 0y

20:00 Tipperary

True Or False

11st 13lb

J: Philip Donovan

T: D McNamara

Got 7lb for breakthrough win over 2m6f at Ballinrobe; well held off this mark at Sligo (3m1f).

8/1

Abandoned

Form: -69000

Last run: 44 days

W: 11st 6lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Second reserve; well beaten in a couple of handicap hurdles in December after three months off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

12th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

19:28 Sligo

Lariat

10st 12lb

J: Brian Hayes

T: Liam P Cusack

Flat winner is 0-26 over hurdles; off since heavy defeat in handicap chase at Thurles in October; has run well here on the Flat in the past but overall record fresh suggests he might need this after 194 days off.

14/1

11

30th Oct 2025

Good

2m 5f 80y

14:30 Thurles

Lariat

10st 12lb

J: Danny Gilligan

T: Liam P Cusack

Two Flat wins from 56 starts, placed 16 times; 26-race maiden over hurdles, placed five times; fair run on the Flat last week; no chasing experience; overall record suggests he will find a few too good.

12/1

11

30th Oct 2025

Good

2m 5f 80y

14:30 Thurles

Lariat

10st 12lb

J: Danny Gilligan

T: Liam P Cusack

Two Flat wins from 56 starts, placed 16 times; 26-race maiden over hurdles, placed five times; fair run on the Flat last week; no chasing experience; overall record suggests he will find a few too good.

12/1

Abandoned

Form: 000006

Last run: 44 days

W: 11st 6lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Third reserve; staying on sixth on handicap debut over 2m1f at Down Royal; should stay.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

27th Oct 2024

Good To Yielding

2m 4f 0y

16:00 Wexford

Jacenry

11st 8lb

J: Ben Harvey

T: William Harvey

Good form over this trip at Down Royal last season, winner in March, second the following month; running well until falling two out in a Galway chase on his return from a break.

10/1

5

8th Oct 2024

Good

2m 2f 54y

16:50 Galway

Jacenry

11st 1lb

J: Ben Harvey

T: William Harvey

in touch with leaders, prominent after 3 out, 2 lengths down going okay when fell 2 out

15/2

7th

8

26th Apr 2024

Yielding

2m 7f 55y

17:50 Downpatrick

Jacenry

11st 8lb

J: Ben Harvey

T: D Harvey

in touch with leaders, dropped to midfield 3rd, headway on outer approaching last, weakened run-in

5/1

Verdict

About as weak a handicap hurdle as you will find. The standout is LOUGH NIGARA(nap) who should be good enough if he can repeat his Punchestown run last month. Toor Moon has not looked the most genuine at times but looks the most likely alternative. [Justin O’Hanlon]

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Lough Nigara

RP RATINGS (IRE):

Lough Nigara

POSTDATA:

Lough Nigara

The Irish Sun:

Lough Nigara