October 10 / 17.25 Thurles

17.25

Good

www.thurlesraces.ie Handicap

  • Prize money: £5386.96
  • 2m 0f 89y
  • 11 runners
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www.thurlesraces.ie Handicap

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

8/1 (Won)

  • Win: £6.00
  • Place: £1.60

Form: 085115

Last run: 73 days

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
Won handicaps at Naas (1m2f) and Down Royal (1m5f) over the summer; respectable Galway run afterwards so remains of interest off this mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

12

(12)

5th Sep 2025

Good

2m 2f 141y

18:24 Down Royal

Empress Alma

9st 4lb

J: Gary Carroll

T: Gavin Cromwell

Won three good ground handicaps at up to 2m1f last year (including here); running okay in defeat this year without much respite from the handicapper until dropped 3lb after recent Killarney run; back to last winning mark so don't rule out.

7/1

1

(11)

22nd Aug 2025

Good

1m 6f 80y

19:41 Killarney

Empress Alma

10st 0lb

J: Robert Whearty

T: Gavin Cromwell

Won three good ground handicaps at up to 2m1f last year but yet to hit top form in this campaign, recent Galway run in this grade was ordinary (three of today's rivals ahead); needs a bit more respite from the handicapper.

12/1

OUR TIP

4/1

  • Place: £1.70

Form: /055-1

Last run: 17 days

W: 10st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Fairly useful hurdler returned to the Flat to record second success when relishing stamina test (1m6f, good) at Listowel last month in first-time cheekpieces in beating Tudor Manor, Plains Indian and Bold Approach a shade comfortably; big player despite 8lb rise though wouldn't want it any quicker.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

21st Jul 2026

Good

2m 1f 89y

18:39 Ballinrobe

Sir Allen

12st 0lb

J: Sam Coen

T: Andrew Slattery

2-14 over hurdles; returned from a long layoff with a decisive Flat win at Navan in March (1m6f, heavy); well beaten off this hurdles mark at Roscommon last month; capable of better, appears to be ground-versatile.

6/1

4th

5

8th Jun 2026

Yielding To Soft

2m 4f 0y

17:48 Roscommon

Sir Allen

11st 7lb

J: Sam Coen

T: Andrew Slattery

2-13 over timber; returned from mammoth layoff with decisive Flat win at Navan in March (1m6f, heavy); given time to get over those exertions and returns to hurdling off what may be a workable mark; could go well.

11/1

13/2

  • Place: £2.20

Form: 4/43-1

Last run: 97 days

W: 9st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 64

Form & Verdict
Intermittent campaign this year but won on the Flat at Bellewstown (1m4f) over the summer and most recently won 3m Perth handicap hurdle (both on good); ground remaining in his favour and greater stamina test should suit so one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

29th Aug 2025

Good

3m 0f 0y

18:53 Down Royal

Building Bridges

11st 10lb

J: Sam Ewing

T: Gary McGill

The last of his six hurdle wins came at Perth in September 2024; a solid effort at Aintree in April over this trip but not as good over 2m at Bellewstown; tough task on these terms.

18/1

11th

1

5th Jul 2025

Good

2m 1f 40y

18:30 Bellewstown

Building Bridges

11st 12lb

J: Mr O McGill

T: Gary McGill

Course winner on the Flat; six wins over hurdles, best form over longer distances; faces a tough task under a big weight.

20/1

18

1st May 2025

Yielding

2m 7f 110y

16:15 Punchestown

Building Bridges

11st 1lb

J: Mr D McGill

T: Gary McGill

Ran okay to be beaten about 10l at Aintree (behind Park Of Kings) and that was after a lengthy break; however, he's an exposed dual-purpose performer and others are more intriguing.

50/1

20/1

Form: 4-6008

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 5lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 59

Form & Verdict
Four hurdle wins, all on testing ground; 0-22 on the Flat however, plenty to find with several of these on recent Listowel run and best form is on softer ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

10th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 5f 0y

13:55 Limerick

Cafe Con Leche

10st 10lb

J: Mr A D Bustin

T: C Byrnes

Five-time winner including two here over 2m; scored over 2m4f at Cork in November; well below that level in three starts since but could rebound now dropped into this grade.

5/1

12

17th Jan 2026

Soft To Heavy

2m 4f 40y

13:20 Navan

Cafe Con Leche

10st 12lb

J: Mr A D Bustin

T: C Byrnes

Won his fifth race over hurdles at Cork in November (2m4f, yielding); unfancied and struggled off revised mark in two runs following that; needs to return to form.

33/1

Form: -00678

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 62

Form & Verdict
Three-time AW winner has been mixing Flat and hurdles this year but has been out of form; others preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

(3)

20th Jul 2026

Good

1m 4f 179y

19:40 Ballinrobe

Autocrat

9st 4lb

J: Mel Sheridan

T: P Sweeney

Six-time AW winner is 0-19 on turf; hasn't looked like ending that winless run on last three starts, beaten 13l at Navan on latest; others hold stronger claims.

14/1

10th

6

(10)

11th Jul 2026

Good

1m 2f 40y

17:15 Navan

Autocrat

9st 8lb

J: Mel Sheridan

T: P Sweeney

Six-time AW winner but 0-18 on turf, hard to fancy on recent evidence (over further) despite reduced mark although return to 1m2f to suit.

14/1

16th

5

(17)

15th May 2026

Good

1m 4f 180y

19:57 Leopardstown

Autocrat

9st 12lb

J: Luke McAteer

T: P Sweeney

Six-time AW winner; no success from 17 turf attempts; down the field when quite well fancied at Sligo 12 days ago; held by Maxwell Smart on that running.

12/1

Form: 056172 D

Last run: 34 days

W: 9st 6lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 60

Form & Verdict
Out and out stayer won at Tramore over the summer and most recently just denied over 2m2f at Downpatrick last month when 3lb out of the handicap, having to raced wide home turn; should go well.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

5

(10)

8th Jun 2026

Good

2m 1f 27y

Class 6

20:00 Pontefract

Charlie Darling

9st 6lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Alan Brown

Won 1m6f/2m handicaps on yielding when trained in Ireland; added two more on the AW for this yard before an underwhelming run at Carlisle where perhaps the ground was too soft; he's another with each-way claims.

14/1

6th

7

(5)

18th May 2026

Good

1m 6f 32y

Class 5

15:30 Carlisle

Charlie Darling

8st 10lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Alan Brown

Has gradually found his feet on AW for new yard since returning from lengthy absence and gained neck wins at Southwell (2m) the last twice; at the top of his game and he was effective on turf in Ireland.

6/1

1st

1

(7)

7th May 2026

Standard

2m 0f 102y

Class 6

21:00 Southwell (AW)

Charlie Darling

9st 10lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Alan Brown

Bounced back from a lesser effort when third of eight here last month and built on that to record his first success for this stable over C&D nine days ago; lively contender under a 5lb penalty.

4/1

Form: -70494

Last run: 8 days

W: 9st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 56

Form & Verdict
Now 0-11 but recent staying-on fourth at Bellewstown suggested this sort of stamina test should suit; tongue-tie tried.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

8

(7)

7th Jul 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

20:30 Tramore

Black Soul

9st 7lb

J: Leigh Roche

T: Conor Houlihan

Point winner; won a Down Royal maiden hurdle in 2025; varied campaign this year; ran well up to the point of a fall two out in a chase at this venue in April; maiden on the Flat, runner-up three times; in rear at Dundalk in March.

12/1

8th

5

13th Jun 2026

Good

2m 1f 165y

14:00 Downpatrick

Black Soul

11st 10lb

J: Mike O’Connor

T: Conor Houlihan

Point winner won a Down Royal maiden hurdle for former yard in 2025; chasing lately and was running a big race at Tramore when falling two out; poor at Kilbeggan since; needs his best.

16/1

9th

2

15th May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 4f 90y

19:05 Kilbeggan

Black Soul

11st 12lb

J: Mike O’Connor

T: Conor Houlihan

Point winner whose sole win in 23 starts under rules came in a Down Royal maiden hurdle last May; not shown much this year until chase debut at Tramore last time, falling two out when still in contention (Drop A Threat fourth); should build on that.

10/1

16/1

Form: -56265

Last run: 19 days

W: 8st 7lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 47

Form & Verdict
Maiden's best runs have been on good ground, notably 1m6f Gowran handicap second off this basement mark; inadequate trip on recent Navan comeback so more likely here upped in trip, despite being 2lb wrong.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

12th Jul 2026

Good

2m 4f 116y

16:00 Sligo

Lilac Lady

11st 10lb

J: Alan King

T: Mark Michael McNiff

Flat maiden has run well at times over hurdles, particularly at this track; most recently was fourth in maiden hurdle company (2m2f, good); tongue-tie goes on and she should give a good account of herself.

9/2

4th

16

9th Jun 2026

Good

2m 1f 157y

18:30 Sligo

Lilac Lady

11st 5lb

J: Alan King

T: Mark Michael McNiff

Locally-trained mare; boasts fair placed form at this venue, including second behind a well-fancied rival four weeks ago; has the potential to win a race but likely to find a few too good this time.

8/1

25/1

Form: 6/8/70

Last run: 42 days

W: 9st 1lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 55

Form & Verdict
Dual winner over hurdles was soundly beaten at Listowel last time; 0-11 on the Flat and opposable off this mark; tongue-tied tried.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

9

(1)

7th Jul 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

20:30 Tramore

Bynx

9st 6lb

J: Paddy Harnett

T: Martin Hassett

Three-time hurdles winner (also chase winner); 0-22 on Flat; fair placed form last season, though beaten 11l when third in this race 12 months ago; needs to step up on this term's outings at Gowran and Limerick.

12/1

8th

14

(13)

10th Jun 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 1f 0y

20:20 Limerick

Bynx

8st 8lb

J: Nathan Crosse

T: Martin Hassett

Three-time hurdles winner (also chase winner) is 0-21 on the Flat but went close over this trip at Thurles last autumn off today's mark; can't rule out.

14/1

8th

2

29th May 2026

Good

1m 7f 110y

17:55 Tramore

Bynx

11st 10lb

J: Sean Flanagan

T: Martin Hassett

Three-time hurdles winner (including here) is 1-4 over fences; that win came at Wexford (2m, good) off 7lb lower last August; out of depth in Listed hurdle latest but this more suitable and she goes well here; not out of this.

13/2

11/2

Form: 745-53

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 13lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
Decent hurdler (three wins on easier ground) and good run on the Flat last month when third to stablemate Sir Allen at Listowel (1m6f), staying on well after hitting a flat spot; longer trip here should suit.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

16th Jun 2025

Good To Yielding

3m 0f 100y

18:48 Kilbeggan

Plains Indian

11st 11lb

J: Trevor Ryan

T: Andrew Slattery

Four hurdle wins at different trips, most recently over 3m at Clonmel in November; respectable fourth here behind Ad Caleum last month but may not have been suited by tight Ballinrobe track latest; others with stronger claims.

12/1

11th

2

26th May 2025

Good

2m 6f 131y

17:30 Ballinrobe

Plains Indian

11st 8lb

J: Mr A P Ryan

T: Andrew Slattery

Dual-purpose course winner; 9.25l behind Ad Caelum and Dartan at Kilbeggan latest, weakening after being hampered at the last; is 8lb above his last win but his yard is in form and he could go well dropped slightly back in trip.

12/1

11th

2

26th May 2025

Good

2m 6f 131y

17:30 Ballinrobe

Plains Indian

11st 8lb

J: Mr A P Ryan

T: Andrew Slattery

Dual-purpose course winner; 9.25l behind Ad Caelum and Dartan at Kilbeggan latest, weakening after being hampered at the last; is 8lb above his last win but his yard is in form and he could go well dropped slightly back in trip.

12/1

11th
11 (6)
Spanish John

14/1

Form: -80056

Last run: 8 days

W: 9st 3lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 57

Form & Verdict
Winning hurdler is 0-7 on the Flat and yet to convince over this sort of trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

11

(5)

7th Jul 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

20:00 Tramore

Spanish John

9st 7lb

J: W J Lee

T: P A Fahy

Both Flat wins last season were gained on soft ground; tailed off at the Curragh in May; no impression over hurdles last time; not one of the stronger contenders.

14/1

8th

8

14th Jun 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 1f 165y

16:30 Downpatrick

Spanish John

11st 1lb

J: Richard Condon

T: P A Fahy

Two-time Flat winner; 1-18 over hurdles but that win came in August 2023; remains 1lb above that sole success and ordinary effort on the level on return from break on latest; others appeal more.

16/1

23th

27

(17)

24th May 2026

Good To Yielding

1m 6f 0y

17:40 Curragh

Spanish John

8st 7lb

J: Julian Pietropaolo

T: P A Fahy

Dual-purpose sort won twice on the level last season at Tipperary and Bellewstown over an extended 1m4f on softish ground; tailed off over hurdles at Fairyhouse when last seen and 3lb wrong.

40/1

Non-runners

Make Good, Tudor Manor, Bold Approach

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €32.30
Straight Forecast €31.55
Tricast €125.47
Trifecta €86.80

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Charlie Darling

The Irish Sun:

Empress Alma

RP RATINGS (IRE):

Black Soul

POSTDATA:

Charlie Darling