September 25 / 14.00 Listowel

14.00

Good

McSweeney Brothers Maiden Hurdle

  • Prize money: £6413.04
  • 2m 0f 0y
  • 11 runners
RTV
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McSweeney Brothers Maiden Hurdle

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

5/1

  • Place: £1.40

Form: 74-334 D

Last run: 16 days

W: 11st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Bumper winner; rated 115 over hurdles, placed four times, and also twice placed on the Flat; does not seem progressive but has shown a fair standard of form in recent months; fourth in first-time blinkers in a 20-runner maiden at Galway last time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

(7)

31st May 2026

Good

1m 5f 80y

17:20 Listowel

The Mediator

11st 5lb

J: Ms C E O’Ryan

T: Gordon Elliott

Good dual-purpose performer and did well in amateur-rider contests in the autumn, winning over 2m at Clonmel and placed twice over 1m4f at the Curragh; fair bit to find with a couple of these; first ride for jockey.

8/1

3rd

7

(8)

21st Oct 2025

Soft

1m 4f 0y

16:25 Curragh

The Mediator

12st 0lb

J: Mr J M Halford

T: Gordon Elliott

Bumper and hurdles winner; won a Flat handicap over 2m at Clonmel on his penultimate start; faces an unenviable task at these weights.

20/1

11/2

  • Place: £1.20

Form: /532-6 BF

Last run: 131 days

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Point winner last October; set a stiff task in a 3m Listed novice event on hurdling debut at Cork; subsequently placed in maidens over this trip at Thurles and over 2m4f at Tipperary; disappointing when unplaced favourite for 2m3f maiden at Kilbeggan in May and absent since.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 210y

Class 1

14:30 Aintree

Brave Fortune

11st 7lb

J: J J Slevin

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Irish 7yo whose broadly progressive form switched to chasing this season features a comfortable win at Roscommon (sole attempt over 3m1f; good) in the summer and good second in Thurles handicap (2m5f, yielding) last time; still reasonably unexposed and looks interesting back up in distance.

6/1

2nd

2

18th Jan 2026

Yielding

2m 4f 198y

14:50 Thurles

Brave Fortune

11st 11lb

J: Danny Mullins

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Winning pointer and twice successful over hurdles for Pat Doyle; took third behind subsequent Galway Plate winner Western Fold on chasing debut before comfortably justifying favouritism next time at Roscommon (3m1f, good); made stable debut back from a break in a five-runner novice event at Fairyhouse last time when a distant fourth (2m5f, soft); shaped as though he would come on for the run that day.

8/1

1

9th Jun 2025

Good

3m 1f 24y

19:08 Roscommon

Brave Fortune

11st 12lb

J: Jack Doyle

T: P M J Doyle

Winning pointer who won twice over hurdles, including a 3l defeat of Heroes Rise at Thurles in December; matched that RPR when third on recent chase debut; good chance.

3/1

Form: 8/442-

Last run: 174 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Joined Willie Mullins for 220,000GBP after a debut bumper win for Pam Sly at Huntingdon in 2021; off for over a year and proved regressive in Irish bumpers; made the frame in his three maiden hurdles last season, best effort when second to a Henry de Bromhead-trained winner at Naas in April; his new trainer picked him up for 25,000GBP the following month.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

12

11th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 199y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

Special Cadeau

11st 0lb

J: Mike O’Connor

T: Henry De Bromhead

0-6 since winning on chase debut last February; below par at Fairyhouse in November last time but the yielding to soft ground provides an excuse; good runs at Roscommon (2m, good to yielding) and Ascot (2m1f, good) previously in the autumn and he goes well fresh; has an each-way shout.

25/1

3rd

4

1st Nov 2025

Good

2m 0f 172y

Class 1

14:05 Ascot

Special Cadeau

10st 13lb

J: Mike O’Connor

T: Henry De Bromhead

Already a better chaser than hurdler and it was a commendable effort at the weights when runner-up in a Grade 3 novice at Roscommon a month ago (2m, good to yielding); has scope for further progress and in-form Irish stable always respected on British forays.

11/2

3rd

4

1st Nov 2025

Good

2m 0f 172y

Class 1

14:05 Ascot

Special Cadeau

10st 13lb

J: Mike O’Connor

T: Henry De Bromhead

Already a better chaser than hurdler and it was a commendable effort at the weights when runner-up in a Grade 3 novice at Roscommon a month ago (2m, good to yielding); has scope for further progress and in-form Irish stable always respected on British forays.

11/2

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Noteworthy as a half-brother to Tony Martin-trained Grade 1-winning hurdler/chaser Benefficient; tongue-tie fitted for debut; may need time and experience.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

14th Aug 2025

Good

2m 5f 180y

17:35 Tramore

Derby Rock

11st 12lb

J: Charlie O’Dwyer

T: M F Morris

Poor in handicap hurdles lately and is rated only 86 so has to make huge progress for tackling fences.

28/1

7th

8

24th Jul 2025

Yielding

3m 0f 0y

18:47 Wexford

Derby Rock

11st 4lb

J: Charlie O’Dwyer

T: M F Morris

Well bred 6yo but has looked limited to-date, weak finishing efforts the last twice; still has time on his side.

14/1

Form:

Last run: 16 days

W: 11st 5lb

5 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Huge price when finishing in rear in a Galway maiden in which The Mediator finished fourth.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

18th Nov 2025

Heavy

2m 5f 0y

14:35 Limerick

Siul Molly Siul

11st 1lb

J: Paddy Cody

T: Mrs Jayne Hearne

Maiden ran well enough at Wexford last time but needs more off 1lb lower; claiming rider stays aboard.

16/1

OUR TIP

Form:

Last run: 7 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won a maiden point at Loughanmore in April on his eighth start; jumped indifferently and was tailed off at Tramore last week on his hurdling debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12

13th Mar 2025

Yielding

2m 6f 170y

16:14 Limerick

Cresthill

10st 11lb

J: Conor McNamara

T: Michael Flannery

Point-to-point winner last April but not a whole lot to take from six attempts hurdling; tongue-tie tried for chase debut.

25/1

11th

10

18th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 4f 0y

13:45 Navan

Cresthill

10st 7lb

J: Conor McNamara

T: Michael Flannery

Point winner last April; weak maiden hurdle form; down the field in handicaps at Cork and Tramore.

33/1

11th

10

18th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 4f 0y

13:45 Navan

Cresthill

10st 7lb

J: Conor McNamara

T: Michael Flannery

Point winner last April; weak maiden hurdle form; down the field in handicaps at Cork and Tramore.

33/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Three AW wins and two on turf, the most recent off 61 at Roscommon in May; has lost ground at the start in his two most races, at Galway and Bellewstown; best watched on hurdling debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

12

(16)

20th May 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

18:50 Gowran Park

River Derwent

8st 11lb

J: James Ryan

T: Thomas Coyle

Has made the frame in four of his last six starts but now on a two-year losing sequence; beaten around 8l in fourth at Roscommon; allowance should be made for interference suffered under two furlongs down.

10/1

4th

11

(2)

11th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 111y

17:23 Roscommon

River Derwent

9st 0lb

J: James Ryan

T: Thomas Coyle

Last win was over C&D two years ago; lot lower in the ratings now, with good reason, albeit made the frame in winter AW handicaps won by subsequent improvers.

14/1

14th

13

(14)

24th Apr 2026

Yielding

1m 0f 0y

18:15 Cork

River Derwent

9st 1lb

J: James Ryan

T: Thomas Coyle

Three-time AW winner and last of two turf wins came in Roscommon handicap nearly two years ago (off 61); AW form over the winter wasn't bad so can't be ruled out.

14/1

Form: 8

Last run: 34 days

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Big price when tailed off in a bumper at Kilbeggan last month; can be ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

17th Jul 2025

Good

2m 4f 85y

17:01 Killarney

Diamond Jimmy

11st 4lb

J: Calum Hogan

T: Miss J M Lee

Tailed-off in a bumper and pulled-up on hurdling debut last year; raced keenly when pulled-up on return; needs a transformation in a hood.

100/1

4

31st May 2025

Good

2m 0f 100y

14:30 Listowel

Diamond Jimmy

11st 12lb

J: Ricky Doyle

T: Miss J M Lee

Shown very little at huge odds in two starts so far and has been off 248 days.

100/1

4

31st May 2025

Good

2m 0f 100y

14:30 Listowel

Diamond Jimmy

11st 12lb

J: Ricky Doyle

T: Miss J M Lee

Shown very little at huge odds in two starts so far and has been off 248 days.

100/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Is 1-25 on Flat, placed seven times; belatedly off the mark (at the 23rd attempt) in a 1m7f handicap at Leopardstown last month, down the field in two staying handicaps since then.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

25th Sep 2024

Good

2m 0f 0y

14:00 Listowel

Elzaamsan

11st 12lb

J: Sam Ewing

T: M Halford & T Collins

Is 1-25 on Flat, placed seven times; belatedly off the mark (at the 23rd attempt) in a 1m7f handicap at Leopardstown last month, down the field in two staying handicaps since then.

10/1

12th

7

(13)

5th Sep 2024

Good

2m 0f 144y

19:15 Clonmel

Elzaamsan

11st 10lb

J: Mr J M Halford

T: M Halford & T Collins

soon prominent, led after 2f

10/1

9th

4

(2)

29th Aug 2024

Good

1m 6f 0y

17:35 Navan

Elzaamsan

10st 0lb

J: Ben Coen

T: M Halford & T Collins

Got off the mark on his 23rd start in an amateur riders' event over 1m7f at Leopardstown last time; given a clever ride from the front that day but unlikely to get it all his own way today.

11/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Sold for 160,000gns as a yearling; lightly raced with Roger Varian; won both his starts in 2022, a 1m maiden on good ground at Ripon and a 1m1f handicap on soft at Hamilton; returned from a long absence with a satisfactory run at Newbury in May; disappointing at Chester in June and sold for 5,000gns; now in a small Cork yard.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

(5)

29th Jan 2025

Standard

1m 2f 150y

14:47 Dundalk (AW)

Glam De Vega

10st 2lb

J: Shay Wallace

T: M Keane

Two turf wins in Britain in 2022 for Roger Varian at 1m/1m1f; a long way best in two runs for Varian last season after a long absence; struggled in two maiden hurdles for current trainer; failed to stay 2m in a rated race here 12 days ago; this trip should suit better, but he faces a tough task against in-form rivals.

10/1

6th

1

(5)

29th Jan 2025

Standard

1m 2f 150y

14:47 Dundalk (AW)

Glam De Vega

10st 2lb

J: Shay Wallace

T: M Keane

Two turf wins in Britain in 2022 for Roger Varian at 1m/1m1f; a long way best in two runs for Varian last season after a long absence; struggled in two maiden hurdles for current trainer; failed to stay 2m in a rated race here 12 days ago; this trip should suit better, but he faces a tough task against in-form rivals.

10/1

6th

4

(6)

17th Jan 2025

Standard

2m 0f 0y

16:45 Dundalk (AW)

Glam De Vega

9st 1lb

J: Shay Wallace

T: M Keane

took keen hold, in touch with leaders, went second halfway, weakened quickly 3f out

12/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Ran 12 times on the Flat for German-based trainer Jean-Pierre Carvalho, showing his best form at three, winning a 1m2f Group 3 at Hoppegarten before finishing down the field in the German Derby; major concern based on his loss of form as a four-year-old; debut for Willie Mullins here 776 days after an unplaced run in a claimer at Deauville.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

30th Sep 2022

Good

2m 0f 0y

15:17 Gowran Park

Sea Of Sands

11st 12lb

J: Danny Mullins

T: M E Keoghan

in touch with leaders, headway on outer after 3 out, led and ridden from 2 out, kept on well run-in, always doing enough, finished lame (jockey said gelding finished lame)

12/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €9.70
Straight Forecast €10.26
Trifecta €27.50

Selections

RP RATINGS (IRE):

Special Cadeau

TOPSPEED:

The Mediator

SPOTLIGHT:

Sea Of Sands

POSTDATA:

Special Cadeau

The Irish Sun:

Special Cadeau