October 21 / 15.00 Sligo

15.00

Yielding

John Thomas McNamara Series (Q.R.) Maiden Hurdle

  • Prize money: £5205.88
  • 2m 4f 0y
  • 17 runners
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John Thomas McNamara Series (Q.R.) Maiden Hurdle

Runners: 17 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

OUR TIP

5/2 (Won)

  • Win: £1.70
  • Place: £1.10

Form: /44-73

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
112-rated gelding has the winning of this on last year's form, goes on the ground and has two recent runs under his belt; goes well for this rider too so not much to dislike about his chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

5

11th May 2024

Good

2m 4f 0y

15:55 Cork

Carrig Rock

11st 12lb

J: Jordan Gainford

T: Peter Croke

Sligo maiden winner at this trip and returned from spell chasing when well held over hurdles at Tramore recently; tongue-tie now tried but of limited appeal.

33/1

14th

5

11th May 2024

Good

2m 4f 0y

15:55 Cork

Carrig Rock

11st 12lb

J: Jordan Gainford

T: Peter Croke

Sligo maiden winner at this trip and returned from spell chasing when well held over hurdles at Tramore recently; tongue-tie now tried but of limited appeal.

33/1

7/2

  • Place: £1.70

Form: 41552 C

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 3lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Got first run when just holding off Western Comandor in 2m2f bumper here in August; creditable second to long odds-on favourite on second hurdles start at Tipperary; untried on testing ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

8

13th Sep 2024

Good

2m 6f 11y

17:10 Ballinrobe

Ginnets Girl

11st 2lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Gordon Elliott

Sligo bumper winner who got off the mark over hurdles at Kilbeggan (3m1f, yielding) last summer; this season's form has been poor and she was beaten out of sight around here twice; top yard but percentage call is to oppose.

18/1

9/2

  • Place: £1.70

Form: 2424

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Narrowly beaten in two bumpers including when slightly unlucky second to Ginnets Girl here; he's a stayer so this trip will suit much better than when fourth on hurdling bow at Roscommon; soft ground an unknown; promising rider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13

23rd Jul 2025

Yielding To Soft

3m 1f 110y

17:20 Wexford

Western Comandor

10st 13lb

J: Paddy Hanlon

T: John Joseph Hanlon

Down Royal maiden hurdle winner in 2023 but is 0-13 chasing, well held here early in the month over 2m4f after a break; softer ground to suit.

14/1

8

4th Jul 2025

Good

2m 3f 110y

17:00 Wexford

Western Comandor

11st 2lb

J: Sean Flanagan

T: John Joseph Hanlon

Down Royal maiden hurdle winner in 2023 but is 0-12 chasing and recent hurdles form none too encouraging.

25/1

12th

5

5th May 2025

Good

2m 1f 79y

14:10 Down Royal

Western Comandor

11st 11lb

J: Paddy Hanlon

T: John Joseph Hanlon

pressed leader, lost position before 3 out

25/1

Form: 3/220

Last run: 34 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Placed in first three bumpers; disappointing at Navan last month but bred for jumping and yard flying; unproven on soft ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

7

21st Oct 2022

Yielding

2m 4f 0y

15:00 Sligo

Duncreevan

11st 4lb

J: Mr J Dunne

T: Gavin Cromwell

prominent, not fluent and bumped rival 1st, pushed along when not clear run then switched left home turn, ridden but no extra run-in

8/1

12th

2

17th Sep 2022

Good To Yielding

1m 7f 170y

18:00 Navan

Duncreevan

12st 0lb

J: Mr J Dunne

T: Gavin Cromwell

in touch with leaders, ridden but weakened from under 3f out

9/2

2nd

2

23rd Aug 2022

Good To Firm

2m 0f 0y

19:45 Bellewstown

Duncreevan

12st 0lb

J: Miss A B O’Connor

T: Gavin Cromwell

midfield, headway and pressed leaders over 4f out, went second when ridden 3f out, soon no chance with winner but kept on

7/4

Form: 767-

Last run: 240 days

W: 11st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Disappointing seventh both bumper starts but in between ran nice race in strong Limerick maiden hurdle; could run well.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

14

21st Jul 2023

Good To Yielding

2m 2f 0y

18:45 Kilbeggan

Famous Agent

11st 0lb

J: Tom Harney

T: Liz Doyle

midfield

16/1

12

8th Jul 2023

Good

2m 4f 0y

19:30 Bellewstown

Famous Agent

11st 7lb

J: Tom Harney

T: Liz Doyle

Easily his best run was when a 15l fifth in a Sligo maiden hurdle (2m4f, yielding to soft) in October, but nowhere near that level since; goes handicapping questions to answer.

25/1

5

29th Dec 2022

Soft To Heavy

2m 3f 0y

15:05 Limerick

Famous Agent

11st 12lb

J: Kieran Callaghan

T: Miss Elizabeth Doyle

in touch with leaders

4/1

Form: 70

Last run: 10 days

W: 11st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Beaten around 40l both hurdling starts and will soon be handicapping.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

7

27th May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 1f 0y

16:42 Wexford

Warm In Gorey

10st 12lb

J: Tiernan Power Roche

T: P J Rothwell

Three-time winner over hurdles; totally out of form over fences, pulled up on last three starts; blinkers tried now; main positive is that he has often run well at this venue, placed four times from seven visits, including twice last summer.

8/1

6

10th Apr 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 3f 100y

19:08 Wexford

Warm In Gorey

11st 6lb

J: Simon Torrens

T: P J Rothwell

Three-time winner over hurdles, 0-17 chasing but C&D second last summer off 5lb higher; has failed to complete last three outings so very hard to be confident in.

14/1

12

5th Mar 2026

Soft To Heavy

2m 5f 110y

14:58 Thurles

Warm In Gorey

10st 10lb

J: Tiernan Power Roche

T: P J Rothwell

Three-time winner over hurdles, 0-16 over fences, placed seven times; confidence possibly dented after two failures to complete.

12/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 10lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Second Flat win for Joseph O'Brien came over 2m1f on soft ground at Killarney in May and acquired by present owner/trainer for 45,000gns at Newmarket in July; back from a break and intriguing hurdling debutant, although might need a run or two to get his eye in.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

11

27th May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 1f 0y

18:19 Wexford

Montys Way

11st 0lb

J: P J O’Hanlon

T: George Stanley

Dual-Flat winner is 1-15 over timber, the win coming off 6lb higher at Ballinrobe two years ago; well below that level last autumn and probably best watched on seasonal return.

20/1

Form: /3306-

Last run: 269 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Has plenty of experience and far from disgraced when sixth in Down Royal maiden when last seen; that was in January, though, so he's likely to need the run here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

6

28th Aug 2023

Good

2m 3f 55y

16:55 Downpatrick

Copia Verborum

11st 2lb

J: Miss A McGuinness

T: J J Lambe

A long time since he showed his best form; has run creditably at this track on occasion but otherwise does not seem to have much going for him; in rear over hurdles here earlier in the month.

25/1

11th

10

13th Aug 2023

Yielding To Soft

2m 1f 65y

15:10 Downpatrick

Copia Verborum

11st 4lb

J: Miss A McGuinness

T: J J Lambe

A long time since he showed his best form; has run creditably at this track on occasion but otherwise does not seem to have much going for him.

25/1

10th

1

(2)

9th Jul 2023

Good To Soft

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

17:25 Ayr

Copia Verborum

10st 0lb

J: James Sullivan

T: J J Lambe

Irish challenger who is one to watch in the betting on his first Flat start since October 2021, but he hasn't really shone over hurdles subsequently and his claims aren't compelling.

16/1

25/1

Form: 8-65

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Not disgraced in two bumpers but beaten 39l when fifth of 16 on hurdling bow at Gowran.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

30th May 2026

Good To Firm

3m 3f 119y

Class 3

19:20 Stratford

Ivane

12st 0lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: James Owen

Successful over fences (twice) and hurdles last term; went off the boil on his last two runs early on this year and is 7lb higher than his last winning mark; looks to need to come down the weights.

5/1

4th

1

19th Feb 2026

3m 3f 9y

Class 4

14:33 Sedgefield

Ivane

12st 1lb

J: Mr Sam Lee

T: James Owen

Ex-Irish; has won four races since joining this yard, two of them over fences here (2m5f, 3m5f, good); has won on soft/heavy ground but best form on good/good to soft and below par on ground considered 'tacky' last time.

7/1

6th

10

19th Jan 2026

Soft

3m 4f 178y

Class 3

13:50 Lingfield

Ivane

11st 1lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: James Owen

Four wins since joining this stable last spring, the latest in Durham National at Sedgefield (3m5f, good) in October; arguably posted career-best performance when clear second in Lincolnshire National at Market Rasen (3m3f, good to soft) on Boxing Day but went up another 4lb for that and the forecast slower ground here may not be ideal.

14/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Homebred 5yo; unraced dam half-sister to 2m2f hurdle winner Hot Commodity and 2m chase/2m4f hurdle winner Native House; will be better for the experience.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

4

18th May 2023

Good To Yielding

3m 0f 0y

19:15 Tipperary

Crafty Rascal

11st 4lb

J: Liam McKenna

T: Edward Cawley

Tailed-off all four starts and can't be fancied.

200/1

20th

6

19th Feb 2023

Yielding To Soft

2m 4f 0y

15:10 Punchestown

Crafty Rascal

11st 12lb

J: Sean O’Keeffe

T: Edward Cawley

midfield, pushed along briefly after 4th

200/1

16th

5

29th Jan 2023

Soft

2m 3f 0y

15:17 Naas

Crafty Rascal

11st 12lb

J: Phillip Enright

T: Edward Cawley

Has finished in rear in outings at Sligo and Fairyhouse; can be left out of calculations.

100/1

Form: P/0P

Last run: 65 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Nothing to recommend so far; has been too keen and unable to see out his races.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

14

15th Sep 2023

Yielding

2m 5f 181y

16:15 Ballinrobe

Courthill

10st 0lb

J: Niall Prendergast

T: Michael E Hallinan

Tailed-off over C&D last time and can't be fancied, especially from 4lb out of handicap; cheekpieces tried.

66/1

11th

19

28th Aug 2023

Yielding

2m 6f 14y

18:35 Ballinrobe

Courthill

10st 13lb

T: Michael E Hallinan

prominent on inner

Form: P

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Placed four times in points in the spring but pulled up on hurdling debut at Listowel; can only be watched.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

9

30th Jan 2023

Soft

3m 0f 20y

16:17 Punchestown

Eveningofsummer

11st 4lb

J: Danny Mullins

T: Ruaidhri Joseph Tierney

Poor form in five starts under Rules so far; up in trip; others preferred.

66/1

15

16th Jan 2023

Heavy

3m 0f 100y

15:20 Punchestown

Eveningofsummer

10st 11lb

J: Phillip Enright

T: Ruaidhri Joseph Tierney

Poor form over hurdles so far, including at Fairyhouse last month in a tongue-tie and blinkers; makes little appeal.

50/1

15

21st Dec 2022

Yielding

2m 6f 110y

14:37 Fairyhouse

Eveningofsummer

11st 0lb

J: Phillip Enright

T: Ruaidhri Joseph Tierney

Not much sign of ability under rules and blinkers replace cheekpieces today, so they need to have a positive effect.

33/1

Form: 5-2344

Last run: 71 days

W: 11st 10lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Placed four times from ten starts over hurdles and has the rating to be competitive, albeit doesn't seem progressive; not beaten far and kept on well only previous try at this trip and ground versatile.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

2nd Jun 2026

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 4

14:30 Southwell

Vocito

11st 7lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Returns to fences following a convincing win over hurdles at Uttoxeter (2m, good) nine days ago; only 2lb higher than when landing his sole success in this sphere (in November 2024) and must be considered while in winning mode.

5/6

1st

1

24th May 2026

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 4

16:37 Uttoxeter

Vocito

11st 13lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Exposed four-time winner over hurdles but now 2lb below the mark he defied here last summer; could be sharper for his recent run after a break and Sean Bowen replaces a 10lb claimer.

100/30

4th

2

15th Apr 2026

Good

1m 7f 144y

Class 3

17:35 Haydock

Vocito

11st 13lb

J: Tom Hutsby

T: Olly Murphy

Four-time winner over hurdles but exposed and was performing no more than okay when last seen in November; however, he could be all the better for a break and he's on his last winning mark.

10/1

Form: 600

Last run: 10 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Ran okay in Ballinrobe bumper for Gordon Elliott; twice tailed off over hurdles for this yard.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

21st Oct 2022

Yielding

2m 4f 0y

15:00 Sligo

Mount Barker

11st 4lb

J: Mr P C Bannon

T: Ms Claire O’Connell

Ran okay in Ballinrobe bumper for Gordon Elliott; twice tailed off over hurdles for this yard.

100/1

19th

6

11th Oct 2022

Good

2m 4f 150y

15:30 Punchestown

Mount Barker

11st 12lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: Ms Claire O’Connell

didn't jump with fluency, in rear throughout, reminder after 2nd, pushed along and struggling after 8th, ridden and weakened after 3 out

150/1

15th

8

1st Oct 2022

Good

2m 4f 0y

14:17 Gowran Park

Mount Barker

11st 12lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: Ms Claire O’Connell

always towards rear, weakened after 4 out, tailed off

33/1

Form:

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Has shown nothing in a point and maiden hurdle; can only be watched.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

10

8th Dec 2022

Soft

2m 3f 14y

12:05 Clonmel

Ormond Poet

11st 4lb

J: Mr P A King

T: Denis Gerard Hogan

midfield, in touch with leaders when not fluent 4 out, weakening when not fluent 3 out

100/1

17th

12

29th Oct 2022

Soft

2m 0f 90y

14:18 Galway

Ormond Poet

11st 12lb

J: D G Hogan

T: Denis Gerard Hogan

towards rear of midfield early, towards rear when mistake 6th, reminder and no extra after 3 out, made no impression

100/1

10

21st Oct 2022

Yielding

2m 4f 0y

15:00 Sligo

Ormond Poet

11st 4lb

J: Mr C Mullins

T: Denis Gerard Hogan

Has shown nothing in a point and maiden hurdle; can only be watched.

66/1

Form: 346733

Last run: 14 days

W: 10st 11lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Tons of experience and solid placed form last twice but that's the best she can hope for again with a rating of just 93.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

5

16th Apr 2024

Soft

2m 3f 70y

15:50 Naas

Will You Win

11st 10lb

J: Phillip Enright

T: Oliver McKiernan

led, hit 4th

16/1

11th

5

16th Apr 2024

Soft

2m 3f 70y

15:50 Naas

Will You Win

11st 10lb

J: Phillip Enright

T: Oliver McKiernan

led, hit 4th

16/1

Form: 0008-3

Last run: 10 days

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Reserve; dual bumper winner was good third of 20 on seasonal/handicap hurdle bow at Punchestown last week.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

22th

18

30th Nov 2024

Yielding

2m 4f 55y

15:05 Fairyhouse

Hey Johnny

10st 7lb

J: Jody McGarvey

T: Thomas Mullins

midfield

100/1

22th

18

30th Nov 2024

Yielding

2m 4f 55y

15:05 Fairyhouse

Hey Johnny

10st 7lb

J: Jody McGarvey

T: Thomas Mullins

midfield

100/1

12th

3

3rd Nov 2024

Good

2m 0f 60y

13:10 Cork

Hey Johnny

11st 10lb

J: Jordan Gainford

T: Thomas Mullins

midfield

33/1

Non-runners

Vocito, Mount Barker, Ormond Poet, Will You Win, Hey Johnny

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €3.60
Straight Forecast €3.56
Trifecta €15.10

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Carrig Rock

POSTDATA:

Ginnets Girl

TOPSPEED:

Will You Win

RP Ratings (IRE):

Carrig Rock

The Irish Sun:

Carrig Rock