15.40
YieldingStart Christmas Here December 18th (Q.R.) Maiden Hurdle
- Prize money: £4957.98
- 2m 0f 33y
- 18 runners
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Runners: 18 runners
Type: Hurdle Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Showers
2/5 (Won)
- Win: £1.20
- Place: £1.02
Form: /2354-
Last run: 208 days
W: 11st 4lb
4 yo Gelding
OR: 137
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 3 |
28th Apr 2026 Yielding 2m 0f 98y |
11st 12lb |
Ground versatile; not the biggest in stature but a hugely talented performer who has won eight of his 11 chase starts, including six Grade 1s; bolted up in the Champion Chase on latest, immediately bouncing back from a rare blip at Sandown; won a Grade 1 novice over C&D at this meeting last year and he's preferred by Townend; leading chance. |
7/4 |
|
1st 4 |
11th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 1m 7f 199y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
Acts on any ground; small in stature but big in talent and his record of 7-10 over fences features five Grade 1 wins, the most recent impressively in this season's Tingle Creek at Sandown; not bombproof in this scenario as he's 0-3 at the Cheltenham Festival (finishing positions 553) and was let down by his jumping in the 2024 Arkle, admittedly posting a good placed effort in the circumstances; possible denting of confidence is another concern as he was winded and took a while to get up from a late fall in the Clarence House most recently (under pressure and not responding when the tumble occurred); removal of usual hood adds to the uncertainty; otherwise a huge player provided he's in top form. |
4/1 |
|
2 |
17th Jan 2026 Good To Soft 2m 0f 172y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
Hugely likeable chaser who made it 7-9 over fences when slamming Jonbon by 9l in the Grade 1 Tingle Creek at Sandown (1m7f, good to soft; fine on softer) six weeks ago; that represented another personal best and he's the clear pick on the ratings; has excellent credentials. |
8/15 |
20/1
- Place: £4.00
Form: 5-
Last run: 333 days
W: 10st 11lb
5 yo Mare
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd 14 |
24th Nov 2022 Yielding 2m 0f 33y |
10st 11lb |
Saddler Maker mare ran well for a long way on Down Royal debut last Christmas in a decent maiden; all the better for that experience but will need to improve a fair bit to feature on return from long absence. |
20/1 |
13/2
- Place: £1.40
Form: 37-
Last run: 212 days
W: 11st 4lb
4 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
6th 1 |
26th May 2023 Good 2m 0f 100y |
11st 12lb |
prominent |
9/4 |
|
3rd 10 |
14th May 2023 Good To Yielding 2m 1f 0y |
11st 4lb |
soon led |
9/4 |
|
4th 8 |
20th Dec 2022 Yielding To Soft 2m 2f 183y |
11st 7lb |
Promise in both bumpers in the spring, second occasion when mid-field behind stablemate Absolute Notions in the Goffs Land Rover Bumper at Punchestown; started over hurdles with a fair run in third behind the long odds-on Il Etait Temps at Thurles; mistake at the last probably cost him second; should be in the mix now. |
4/1 |
40/1
Form: —
Last run: —
W: 11st 4lb
4 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
6th 1 |
2nd Mar 2026 Soft To Heavy 2m 2f 72y |
11st 12lb |
Placed four times over hurdles but had been out of form (largely over fences) until a close third at 66-1 over 2m here on St Stephen's Day (yielding) on handicap hurdle debut; up 3lb for that but chance if he can back it up; slight question mark on this ground. |
5/1 |
|
4 |
6th Aug 2025 Good 2m 3f 130y |
11st 8lb |
Placed four times over hurdles; chase form is unconvincing; new headgear combination following an unplaced maiden hurdle run at this venue. |
16/1 |
16/1
Form: 6525
Last run: 21 days
W: 11st 4lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
7 |
21st May 2024 Good 2m 7f 144y |
11st 4lb |
Runner-up in 2m4f Listowel bumper on good ground is now 0-5 hurdling, possibly needed recent Ballinrobe comeback run; more expected of here. |
10/1 |
16/1
Form: 8-0
Last run: 12 days
W: 11st 4lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
11th 15 |
6th Apr 2026 Yielding To Soft 2m 5f 110y |
10st 9lb |
Two-time hurdles winner but on losing run since November 2024 success at Navan (2m4f, gd-yld); below best in handicap chase when last seen at Kilbeggan in August and Sean Flanagan seemingly prefers Hgranca De Thaix. |
12/1 |
|
5th 4 |
9th Aug 2025 Good 2m 4f 38y |
11st 2lb |
Sole win over fences came in a 2m6f beginners' at this venue; mostly been hurdling recently but ran respectably on return to chasing in the Connacht National at Roscommon on his latest start; that 3m1f trip stretched him, this distance is more suitable; should go well. |
9/2 |
|
3 |
9th Jun 2025 Good 3m 1f 24y |
11st 7lb |
Over two years since his sole win over fences but this is only his fifth attempt and he was placed over hurdles last time off 5lb higher (3m, good); prone to mistakes in this discipline but could go well if finding some fluency. |
10/1 |
Form: 0-0
Last run: 53 days
W: 10st 11lb
4 yo Filly
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
21 |
28th Dec 2022 Soft 2m 4f 0y |
11st 0lb |
Well beaten in two bumpers and suffered the same fate on her hurdling debut at Thurles; very opposable. |
200/1 |
|
7th 17 |
24th Nov 2022 Yielding 2m 0f 33y |
10st 11lb |
Second reserve; well held both bumpers, best watched now switched to hurdles. |
150/1
Form: —
Last run: —
W: 10st 11lb
5 yo Mare
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
0 19 |
23rd Jan 2024 Yielding To Soft 2m 1f 33y |
10st 13lb |
Not beaten far off this basement mark on her last few starts; likely to run well again but needs to find more to score. |
12/1 |
|
17 |
14th Dec 2023 Soft To Heavy 2m 0f 0y |
11st 5lb |
Not beaten far off this basement mark the last twice under this rider and can be involved again but more needed to score. |
8/1 |
|
6th 15 |
2nd Nov 2023 Soft 2m 0f 13y |
10st 13lb |
Best effort so far saw her finish 7l behind Destivelle when third of 15 over C&D a fortnight ago; trainer having an excellent season. |
10/1 |
33/1
Form: P0/
Last run: 612 days
W: 11st 12lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
7th 14 (16) |
20th Aug 2024 Yielding 1m 4f 46y |
9st 5lb |
Leopardstown win in October 2022 came over 1m2f (soft) under Colin Keane off 61; returned from 590-day absence with creditable effort at same venue last month and expected to come on for that although stamina remains unproven over 1m4f. |
9/2 |
|
6th 9 (5) |
11th Jul 2024 Good 1m 1f 0y |
9st 12lb |
Course winner over 1m2f on soft in October 2022; long absence to overcome now, though back on his winning mark. |
16/1 |
150/1
Form: 080
Last run: 12 days
W: 11st 4lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
12 |
23rd Oct 2025 Good To Yielding 2m 4f 219y |
10st 8lb |
Winning hurdler at Ballinrobe early last season; pulled-up on sole chase start in 2023; in rear in a handicap chase at Sligo early this month on his first 2025 outing. |
20/1 |
|
8th 9 |
1st Oct 2025 Good To Yielding 3m 1f 182y |
10st 8lb |
Hurdle winner was pulled-up on sole chase start in 2023; returns from an absence and others preferred. |
20/1 |
|
16th 16 |
10th Dec 2024 Yielding 2m 7f 182y |
10st 13lb |
Won his first race at Ballinrobe back in May (2m6f, good-to-yielding) and good Limerick effort after a break before excuses (scoped wrong) at Fairyhouse last month; would have a chance on his best form and ground in his favour. |
14/1 |
14/1
Form: 35
Last run: 21 days
W: 11st 5lb
5 yo Mare
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
12th Oct 2025 Good 2m 2f 140y |
12st 0lb |
Dual-purpose Flat winner yet to score over timber; soundly beaten first two starts for this yard over hurdles at Sligo and on the Flat at Bellewstown; revival required. |
11/1 |
|
2 (5) |
1st Oct 2025 Good To Yielding 0m 7f 205y |
10st 1lb |
Dual-purpose mare whose best recent Flat form has come over 1m4f-1m6f; beaten 20l in a 25.5f handicap hurdle on latest; headgear worn that day discarded; this trip surely too sharp. |
20/1 |
100/1
Form: 00-60
Last run: 11 days
W: 11st 4lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
8th 8 |
26th Aug 2024 Good 2m 3f 100y |
10st 11lb |
Longstanding maiden over hurdles and beaten more than 20l in his two handicap chases. |
20/1 |
|
6th 13 |
18th Aug 2024 Good 1m 7f 140y |
10st 7lb |
Low-grade maiden hurdler continues to struggle off basement mark and plenty of improvement needed from chase debut run at Downpatrick three starts ago. |
16/1 |
|
9th 14 |
25th Jul 2024 Good 2m 0f 150y |
10st 13lb |
Maiden after 20 hurdle starts has to find some improvement from somewhere. |
25/1 |
33/1
Form: —
Last run: —
W: 11st 5lb
4 yo Filly
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
7th 1 (14) |
22nd Sep 2023 Standard 1m 2f 150y |
10st 0lb |
Won twice here last year; unplaced three turf starts in the summer but came back to form with a fine run last time at Down Royal over this trip; should go well. |
6/1 |
|
3rd 4 (1) |
8th Sep 2023 Good 1m 2f 75y |
9st 11lb |
Dual AW winner at up to 1m4f a year ago; Leopardstown comeback in June was encouraging but little impression since including over C&D six weeks ago; dropping back into this grade will help. |
10/1 |
100/1
Form: 7
Last run: 42 days
W: 10st 11lb
4 yo Filly
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
12 |
25th Jul 2025 Good 2m 2f 200y |
10st 4lb |
The handicapper has finally relented but probably for good reason and she's been off since August. |
20/1 |
|
10th 12 |
16th Aug 2024 Good 2m 0f 80y |
10st 0lb |
Hit the frame in one of her six starts last year and shown nothing in three starts in 2024; first-time cheekpieces on and drop in trip not sure to suit. |
50/1 |
100/1
Form: —
Last run: 18 days
W: 11st 4lb
4 yo Colt
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
15 |
21st Mar 2023 Heavy 2m 2f 112y |
10st 8lb |
Some ability on the Flat for Richard Hannon but nothing to recommend here; cheekpieces will need miraculous properties. |
66/1 |
|
7 |
6th Dec 2022 Soft 2m 0f 50y |
11st 12lb |
towards rear, mistake 4 out, weakened 3 out, tailed off when pulled up after 2 out |
100/1 |
|
17 |
1st Dec 2022 Yielding To Soft 1m 7f 199y |
10st 13lb |
Second reserve; ex Richard Hannon-trained; tailed off on both maiden outings last month, easily passed over. |
9/2
Form: 3-13 D
Last run: 26 days
W: 11st 12lb
4 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 5 (2) |
31st May 2024 Good 1m 2f 0y |
9st 9lb |
Bumper winner and useful 132-rated hurdler; no surprise if he's competitive on Flat debut but has been off 10 months. |
4/1 |
|
13th 3 |
4th Aug 2023 Good To Yielding 2m 0f 11y |
11st 9lb |
Showed useful form last Autumn, particularly when landing a Naas novice hurdle before a below-par effort in Grade 2 company; bounced back when fourth in strong looking contest at Punchestown 100 days ago and could figure on handicap debut. |
14/1 |
Form: 0/
Last run: 576 days
W: 11st 4lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
16 |
24th Nov 2022 Yielding 2m 0f 33y |
11st 4lb |
First reserve; tailed off in the 2021 Land Rover Bumper and not seen since; best watched. |
|
|
14 |
30th Oct 2022 Soft 2m 0f 0y |
11st 4lb |
First reserve; tailed off in the 2021 Land Rover Bumper and not seen since; best watched. |
Form: 00
Last run: 18 days
W: 11st 4lb
4 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
7th 13 |
2nd May 2023 Yielding 2m 0f 139y |
11st 4lb |
Huge prices and ran accordingly on both recent maiden hurdle runs; easily passed over. |
100/1 |
|
18 |
24th Nov 2022 Yielding 2m 0f 33y |
11st 4lb |
Third reserve; huge prices and ran accordingly on both recent maiden hurdle runs; easily passed over. |
|
|
18th 14 |
6th Nov 2022 Soft To Heavy 2m 0f 0y |
11st 7lb |
Struggling at the back from a long way out when 100-1 on debut at Wexford last Monday. |
100/1 |
Non-runners
Nucky Johnson, Hume Street, Too Easy Mate
+o+e Accumulators
| Payout | |
|---|---|
| Exacta | €13.40 |
| Straight Forecast | €22.27 |
| Trifecta | €42.90 |
Selections
SPOTLIGHT:
Il Etait TempsRP Ratings (IRE):
Il Etait TempsTOPSPEED:
Il Etait TempsPOSTDATA:
Il Etait TempsThe Irish Sun:
Il Etait Temps