November 24 / 15.10 Thurles

15.10

Yielding

Holycross Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £4957.98
  • 2m 0f 33y
  • 19 runners
RTV
View Course
Holycross Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 19 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

6/1 (Won)

  • Win: £5.00
  • Place: £1.40

Form: 700-1U

Last run: 12 days

W: 11st 8lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Readily landed a mares handicap hurdle at Sligo last month before a first fence unseat in a Naas handicap chase; up 8lb for that Sligo success and one for the shortlist here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

27th Mar 2025

Yielding To Soft

2m 0f 86y

14:42 Clonmel

Boghlone Honey

11st 5lb

J: Richard Deegan

T: Liam P Cusack

Two handicap hurdle wins in 2022; twice well beaten over hurdles since returning from long absence, though ran in good company at Leopardstown; unseated at the first on only previous chase start.

16/1

18th

20

2nd Feb 2025

Soft

2m 2f 0y

12:40 Leopardstown

Boghlone Honey

10st 0lb

J: Simon Torrens

T: Liam P Cusack

Dual winner over hurdles and respectable return to action after more than two years off in a Punchestown handicap hurdle last month; 4lb wrong here and has plenty on her plate; tried in a first-time hood.

50/1

18th

20

2nd Feb 2025

Soft

2m 2f 0y

12:40 Leopardstown

Boghlone Honey

10st 0lb

J: Simon Torrens

T: Liam P Cusack

Dual winner over hurdles and respectable return to action after more than two years off in a Punchestown handicap hurdle last month; 4lb wrong here and has plenty on her plate; tried in a first-time hood.

50/1

7/1

  • Place: £1.40

Form: 9803-5

Last run: 32 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Alternated between fences and hurdles last season, by far his best effort when a good third in a big-field handicap hurdle at Naas in March; probably needed the run on his return in a handicap chase at Limerick last month; looks the owner's first-string here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

11th Dec 2024

Soft

2m 4f 15y

Class 4

14:50 Hexham

Know The Game

11st 9lb

J: Joshua Thompson

T: Micky Hammond

in rear

16/1

9

11th Dec 2024

Soft

2m 4f 15y

Class 4

14:50 Hexham

Know The Game

11st 9lb

J: Joshua Thompson

T: Micky Hammond

towards rear, bumped 1st, mistake 5th, soon lost touch, tailed off and pulled up before 7th

16/1

6th

4

2nd Nov 2024

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

12:40 Wetherby

Know The Game

11st 0lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Micky Hammond

Runner-up over fences at Limerick in April for Tom Dreaper but well beaten the next twice (fences/hurdles) and is now just 1-21; makes stable debut and others are preferred.

20/1

14/1

  • Place: £2.20

Form: 2947U8 CD

Last run: 11 days

W: 11st 10lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Last win was over C&D a year ago; unlucky not to add to that tally during the summer; not disgraced in a competitive Navan contest last time; 10lb higher than last year but well capable of getting into the shake-up at his best.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

19

12th Jun 2023

Good

2m 0f 46y

18:48 Roscommon

Peace Party

11st 11lb

J: Shane Fitzgerald

T: Desmond McDonogh

Reserve; 2-35 over hurdles, the wins a long time ago now; didn't run badly last time but an 11yo now and others appeal more.

9th

10

30th May 2023

Good

2m 0f 40y

19:00 Ballinrobe

Peace Party

11st 0lb

J: E Walsh

T: Desmond McDonogh

Tailed off throughout after starting very sluggishly here four weeks ago; hasn't won for a long time now.

25/1

10

2nd May 2023

Yielding

2m 0f 139y

17:48 Ballinrobe

Peace Party

11st 7lb

J: Kieran Callaghan

T: Desmond McDonogh

Hasn't won in a long time but three times runner-up at this track last summer including in this event; back from a break and has to be respected given his record around here.

8/1

5/1

  • Place: £1.40

Form: 12F33F D

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Landed a 2m handicap hurdle at Wexford in July and had every chance when coming down at the last at the same venue last month; consistent performer and unlikely to be too far away here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

1

30th Aug 2024

Yielding

2m 3f 100y

18:50 Wexford

Our Bobby

11st 12lb

J: E Walsh

T: John M Burke

Has been in fine form lately, winning over hurdles and Listowel and a handicap chase over C&D; 6lb higher now but that brings him to parity with hurdles mark; major player.

100/30

Form: 941P-3 D

Last run: 105 days

W: 11st 11lb

5 yo Mare

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Won a Flat handicap at Tipperary in May and generally in good form over the summer; returning from a couple of sub-standard Flat efforts last month at the Curragh and Dundalk but cannot be discounted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

(9)

29th Mar 2023

Soft To Heavy

1m 2f 0y

17:05 Navan

Secret Sea

10st 0lb

J: Hugh Horgan

T: Eoin Doyle

Both Flat wins have been over further and on better ground; lacks a recent run and may need this.

14/1

5th

5

24th Nov 2022

Yielding

2m 0f 33y

15:10 Thurles

Secret Sea

11st 11lb

J: Richard Condon

T: Eoin Doyle

Won a Flat handicap at Tipperary in May and generally in good form over the summer; returning from a couple of sub-standard Flat efforts last month at the Curragh and Dundalk but cannot be discounted.

8/1

13th

8

(17)

4th Nov 2022

Standard

1m 4f 0y

18:30 Dundalk (AW)

Secret Sea

9st 10lb

J: Robert Whearty

T: Eoin Doyle

dwelt start, towards rear of midfield

14/1

Form: 5F82-6

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 13lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
Runner-up in a Galway maiden hurdle for Pat Kelly 13 months ago; faded on his reappearance at Wexford last month after a year off; should come on but others preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

30th May 2024

Good To Firm

2m 3f 0y

18:47 Limerick

Champagne Vacation

12st 0lb

J: Phillip Enright

T: Sean Aherne

Maiden after 12 hurdle starts but some okay runs in handicaps last year; lacks a recent run and opposable.

10/1

Form: P06160 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Won a good ground handicap hurdle at Tramore in August; not quite at that level in two starts since and better ground would help; others preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

12

29th May 2026

Good

2m 5f 145y

19:00 Tramore

Bite That

10st 8lb

J: G B Noonan

T: Patrick J Flynn

Last won over hurdles here (2m, good) in 2022; rated 23lb higher over fences but hard to fancy on the evidence of his last three runs over hurdles at Clonmel.

28/1

9th

11

14th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 116y

18:20 Clonmel

Bite That

10st 12lb

J: Alex Harvey

T: Patrick J Flynn

Hurdles win came at Tramore back in 2022, more recently won over fences at Wexford last summer; soft ground not ideal of late so improvement on the cards back on a sound surface.

12/1

12th

6

26th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 2f 188y

17:12 Clonmel

Bite That

10st 13lb

J: G B Noonan

T: Patrick J Flynn

Infrequent winner but consistent in the main and deserved his Wexford chase victory a year ago; has failed to take advantage of lower hurdles mark in three outings since then; tailed off here four weeks ago in the race won by Courtbrack Boy.

14/1

Form: 307336

Last run: 44 days

W: 11st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Yet to win but some solid handicap form this year in the context of this race; faded late but far from disgraced at Punchestown last time; drops in trip here but very interesting nonetheless, even if Bryan Cooper prefers his stablemate.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

1st Jan 2023

Soft

2m 5f 170y

13:40 Tramore

Ocojohn

11st 7lb

J: Kevin Sexton

T: Thomas Cooper

in touch with leaders

6/1

3rd

1

6th Dec 2022

Soft

2m 5f 100y

15:15 Tramore

Ocojohn

12st 0lb

J: B J Cooper

T: Thomas Cooper

Maiden was below form last time but was previously consistent in defeat over hurdles; has a squeak on chasing debut if jumping soundly.

15/2

8th

14

24th Nov 2022

Yielding

2m 0f 33y

15:10 Thurles

Ocojohn

11st 8lb

J: Danny Mullins

T: Thomas Cooper

Yet to win but some solid handicap form this year in the context of this race; faded late but far from disgraced at Punchestown last time; drops in trip here but very interesting nonetheless, even if Bryan Cooper prefers his stablemate.

10/1

Form: 9F-957 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Fourth run for the stable, respectable efforts in handicaps at Galway and Killarney before possibly not staying over 2m3f at Clonmel latest; could be far more at home over this trip than stablemate Ocojohn and considered with Bryan Cooper preferring him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

7

1st Oct 2023

Yielding

2m 1f 0y

14:30 Killarney

Elusive Rebeldom

11st 2lb

J: Richard Condon

T: Thomas Cooper

Won maiden on heavy and decent fifth in this last year but didn't do much after and been off seven months.

14/1

12

25th Feb 2023

Yielding

2m 4f 23y

15:20 Fairyhouse

Elusive Rebeldom

11st 4lb

J: Richard Condon

T: Thomas Cooper

led, headed 6th, ridden and lost ground before 3 out, soon dropped to rear, pulled up after 3 out

25/1

12th

3

16th Feb 2023

Yielding

2m 0f 0y

15:25 Clonmel

Elusive Rebeldom

11st 11lb

J: Brian Hayes

T: Thomas Cooper

Good enough to win a Punchestown maiden hurdle for Debbie Hartnett three years ago; has run okay in a couple of handicap hurdles for his current stable.

14/1

Form: 0-9116

Last run: 59 days

W: 11st 9lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Good staying type with six career wins; not at his best when failing to complete a hat-trick at Roscommon last time having gone up 17lb; cannot be discounted here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

18

8th Sep 2025

Yielding To Soft

2m 6f 97y

17:22 Galway

Oskar High

10st 7lb

J: Shane O’Callaghan

T: Norman Lee

Veteran has won this twice, including last year off 3lb higher; however, he has been pulled up on his last three starts so major revival required.

25/1

13

22nd Jul 2025

Yielding

2m 6f 41y

19:12 Ballinrobe

Oskar High

10st 12lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Norman Lee

Old boy won at Galway last September; pulled up back there in October and same story on return from a 199-day break at Sligo in May; on last winning mark but may be vulnerable to younger legs.

25/1

13

13th May 2025

Good

3m 1f 188y

20:00 Sligo

Oskar High

10st 0lb

J: Shane O’Callaghan

T: Norman Lee

prominent

12/1

Form: /0P7-8 D

Last run: 32 days

W: 12st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Won a Fairyhouse bumper for Vincent Ward 19 months ago; respectable effort in a maiden hurdle there at Easter; handicap debut here and not obviously well treated but should improve for his Limerick run.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

11

12th Jul 2026

Good

2m 1f 90y

14:50 Sligo

Marys Pride

10st 6lb

J: Sarah Kavanagh

T: Edward Cawley

Was third over 2m at Ballinrobe but might have found 2m3f too far at Punchestown since; record of 2-23 over hurdles, so others preferred.

12/1

7th

12

7th Jun 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 3f 12y

15:07 Punchestown

Marys Pride

11st 0lb

J: Sarah Kavanagh

T: Edward Cawley

Best form is over 2m and previous attempts over around 2m4f haven't worked out; can go well fresh which he again demonstrated at Ballinrobe, but not sure to back that up.

5/1

2nd

11

26th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 13y

19:30 Ballinrobe

Marys Pride

11st 1lb

J: Sarah Kavanagh

T: Edward Cawley

Is 6lb lower than when gaining second win over hurdles at Tipperary in July 2024; soundly beaten off 100 when last seen at Down Royal in December; 1lb lower now and has gone well fresh, so not dismissed in first-time cheekpieces.

25/1

6/1

Form: 6/711- D

Last run: 490 days

W: 11st 11lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Looked a real improver when landing a pair of handicap hurdles at Tramore and Limerick 19 months ago; racing off a 19lb higher mark here; tough ask but the market should be a good guide.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

13

6th Oct 2024

Good

2m 1f 0y

14:15 Killarney

Gendarme

10st 6lb

J: Shane O’Callaghan

T: Charles Coakley

No further success since back-to-back victories for Cathal Byrnes in July 2021; weak form over fences in the spring; struggled on return to hurdling at Tramore in August.

33/1

14th

15

16th Aug 2024

Good

2m 5f 0y

19:48 Tramore

Gendarme

10st 0lb

J: Simon Torrens

T: Charles Coakley

Course winner is 2-24 over hurdles but no win since back to back victories in July 2021; yet to fire in six runs for Charles Coakley but one of his better efforts when beaten 10l in a handicap chase at Limerick last time; tongue tie and visor reached for again (pulled up last time he wore them); hard to fancy.

20/1

Form: -95650

Last run: 11 days

W: 11st 9lb

5 yo Mare

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Second in a Killarney bumper for John Murphy in 2021 but only bits and pieces of form since; well beaten in a Navan maiden hurdle latest and not easy to fancy.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

5

12th Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 110y

15:50 Bellewstown

Fairy Tree

11st 3lb

J: Sam Ewing

T: Gordon Elliott

Is 0-12 under Rules and 0-5 over hurdles for Matthew Smith; last ran in January 2023 over 1m4f at Dundalk; good ground is fine but she's unproven at this trip; probably best watched on first start for new yard after mammoth absence unless the market suggests otherwise.

7/1

8th

5

12th Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 110y

15:50 Bellewstown

Fairy Tree

11st 3lb

J: Sam Ewing

T: Gordon Elliott

Is 0-12 under Rules and 0-5 over hurdles for Matthew Smith; last ran in January 2023 over 1m4f at Dundalk; good ground is fine but she's unproven at this trip; probably best watched on first start for new yard after mammoth absence unless the market suggests otherwise.

7/1

7th

11

(11)

18th Jan 2023

Standard

1m 4f 0y

13:35 Dundalk (AW)

Fairy Tree

9st 7lb

J: W J Lee

T: Matthew J Smith

Second in a Killarney bumper for John Murphy in 2021; has done little of note since; jumped badly and tailed off in a handicap hurdle at Thurles in November; very hard to fancy.

20/1

Form: /288-0

Last run: 205 days

W: 11st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Won a Flat handicap at Dundalk in March; lost his way on the Flat after that and best watched here on his return to hurdles.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

(4)

24th Aug 2025

Good

1m 2f 110y

16:35 Naas

The Virginian

9st 4lb

J: Ross Fagan

T: Padraig Roche

AW winner in 2022; in moderate form over jumps before finishing last back on the Flat here 20 days ago; 7f would have been inadequate but still has serious questions to answer.

20/1

16th

8

(6)

4th Aug 2025

Good

0m 7f 0y

15:46 Naas

The Virginian

9st 7lb

J: Ross Fagan

T: Padraig Roche

Pretty much tailed off in his last four jumps races split between hurdling and chasing; unlikely to have the gears for this.

50/1

11

4th Jul 2025

Good

2m 3f 110y

17:00 Wexford

The Virginian

10st 11lb

J: Peter Smithers

T: Padraig Roche

Has been mixing chasing and hurdling recently to no avail; handicapper giving him a chance but hard to be confident in.

33/1

Form: /00-78

Last run: 174 days

W: 11st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Has had a few trainers since winning twice on the Flat in Britain; debuts for Pat Foley here and hard to fancy on what he has done recently.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

24th Nov 2022

Yielding

2m 0f 33y

15:10 Thurles

Morning Skye

11st 9lb

J: Kieran Callaghan

T: Patrick T Foley

Has had a few trainers since winning twice on the Flat in Britain; debuts for Pat Foley here and hard to fancy on what he has done recently.

20/1

Form: 20/60/ D

Last run: 804 days

W: 11st 7lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Second in a Tramore maiden hurdle for Gordon Elliott but not much to recommend otherwise; debuts for Peter Maher here after more than two years off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

16

24th Nov 2022

Yielding

2m 0f 33y

15:10 Thurles

Mam Trasna

11st 7lb

J: J J Slevin

T: Peter Maher

Second in a Tramore maiden hurdle for Gordon Elliott but not much to recommend otherwise; debuts for Peter Maher here after more than two years off.

66/1

OUR TIP

Form: 005F-

Last run: 224 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
First reserve; showed a little ability in a Cork maiden hurdle in January; best watched.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

6

3rd Aug 2026

Good

2m 2f 0y

17:00 Cork

Crowsatedappletart

11st 5lb

J: Luke Burke Ott

T: Michael Winters

Gained eighth career win (fifth over fences) at Wexford when last seen in May; has won around here before and looks to exploit 20lb lower hurdles' mark; can't be discounted for local yard.

7/1

1st

8

7th May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 0y

18:08 Wexford

Crowsatedappletart

11st 3lb

J: Michael Kenneally

T: Michael Winters

Seven-time winner over hurdles/fences; won twice at this venue last July; likely to show the benefit of a recent hurdles run at Limerick; noteworthy on account of his ability to handle the track; good chance with a top claimer aboard.

6/1

Form: 090F-0

Last run: 47 days

W: 11st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Second reserve; plum last in a Fairyhouse handicap hurdle last month; makes little appeal.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

8

28th Aug 2024

Good To Yielding

2m 4f 110y

16:15 Bellewstown

Grand Cru Chatho

11st 2lb

J: Kieren Buckley

T: Edward Cawley

15-race maiden and has not really fulfilled early promise; very hard to fancy.

66/1

8th

9

21st Aug 2024

Yielding

2m 1f 93y

17:38 Sligo

Grand Cru Chatho

11st 5lb

J: Kieren Buckley

T: Edward Cawley

Maiden was a close 5th over 2m2f here in June and a repeat will see him involved; unseated early over fences since.

12/1

4

2nd Jul 2024

Good To Firm

2m 1f 70y

14:33 Tipperary

Grand Cru Chatho

11st 6lb

J: Philip Byrnes

T: Edward Cawley

in rear early, some headway when not fluent and unseated 2nd

10/1

Form: 44-009

Last run: 55 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Third reserve; not disgraced in a couple of early bumpers or in a Gowran maiden hurdle; might need a little leeway from the handicapper.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

7

28th Aug 2026

Good

2m 0f 190y

16:15 Wexford

Bella Union

11st 1lb

J: Eoghan Finegan

T: John C McConnell

Back-to-back winner at Bellewstown (2m1f, yielding) and Down Royal (2m2f, good) in April/May; decent C&D effort on penultimate when a clear runner-up off this mark; pulled up here last time though, so hard to know what to expect now.

10/1

10

3rd Jul 2026

Good

2m 1f 55y

17:50 Wexford

Bella Union

11st 1lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: John C McConnell

Veteran finally made the breakthrough in 2m1f Bellewstown handicap in April and duly followed up at Down Royal off 5lb higher; solid C&D run since off further 8lb higher mark when chasing home a clear-cut winner; contender again.

7/1

Non-runners

Crowsatedappletart, Grand Cru Chatho, Bella Union

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €35.20
Straight Forecast €28.05
Tricast €198.31
Trifecta €386.50

Selections

The Irish Sun:

Our Bobby

RP Ratings (IRE):

Boghlone Honey

POSTDATA:

Peace Party

SPOTLIGHT:

Gendarme