December 03 / 14.27 Fairyhouse

14.27

Yielding

Close Brothers Rated Novice Hurdle

  • Prize money: £7436.97
  • 2m 4f 40y
  • 13 runners
RTV
View Course
Close Brothers Rated Novice Hurdle

Runners: 13 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

OUR TIP

9/2 (Won)

  • Win: £7.40
  • Place: £2.90

Form: 32P-31 D

Last run: 16 days

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Hit the frame in three of his bumper starts prior to getting off the mark in a maiden hurdle at Clonmel last month, appreciating a step up in trip; plenty of stamina in his pedigree so quicker ground this time might not be in his favour.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

4th May 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 15y

Class 3

18:10 Hexham

Landrake

11st 3lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Jamie Snowden

raced in second

5/1

4th

3

4th May 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 15y

Class 3

18:10 Hexham

Landrake

11st 3lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Jamie Snowden

raced in second

5/1

7

13th Apr 2024

Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 1

13:20 Aintree

Landrake

11st 5lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Useful in 2m-2m6f novice hurdles last term, recording RPRs of 140 on three occasions; has not taken to chasing at all well this season, soundly beaten three times, and was sold from Gordon Elliott for 50,000euros in February; may be revived by a change of scenery and the return to hurdling, but he's something of a risky proposition in his first handicap.

20/1

7/1

  • Place: £1.70

Form: 612 D

Last run: 152 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Has progressed this term, getting off the mark at Down Royal in June before a big run when runner-up in a novice hurdle at Roscommon in July; the winner has boosted that form and has the ground in his favour here; not to be underestimated despite five-month absence.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15th

3

10th Oct 2023

Yielding

2m 7f 0y

16:45 Punchestown

Dovlator

11st 10lb

J: J J Slevin

T: Dermot A McLoughlin

Well below his best in two handicap hurdles in the spring but a bit better run in a Wexford novice in May; poor over fences last twice.

25/1

0

3

1st Sep 2023

Good

3m 0f 0y

18:35 Down Royal

Dovlator

11st 1lb

J: J J Slevin

T: Dermot A McLoughlin

Sole win came in 2m5f maiden here last year, showing better form in novice company afterwards; below best in the spring and tailed off on chasing debut in July; tongue tie tried now back hurdling but looks to have it to do on recent form.

16/1

6th

5

4th Jul 2023

Good To Yielding

2m 3f 114y

16:05 Tipperary

Dovlator

11st 5lb

J: J J Slevin

T: Dermot A McLoughlin

Far better than latest placings suggest but hard to know what to expect here on chasing debut from this 0-4 pointer and 1-7 hurdler; worth a market check all the same.

16/1

25/1

  • Place: £5.70

Form: 44-139

Last run: 129 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Off the mark in maiden hurdle at Downpatrick in May but hasn't gone on from that since; new yard and career best required; back down in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

4th Jul 2026

Good

3m 0f 116y

19:48 Bellewstown

Ottoman Style

11st 6lb

J: Liam McKenna

T: Dermot A McLoughlin

Lightly raced since winning back-to-back 2m4f handicaps in 2023; encouraging comeback run at Kilbeggan but pulled up on latest at Punchestown; the jury is out.

25/1

3

7th Jun 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 7f 116y

16:52 Punchestown

Ottoman Style

11st 9lb

J: Liam McKenna

T: Dermot A McLoughlin

Lightly raced since winning back-to-back 2m4f handicaps in 2023; after six months off, his Kilbeggan comeback was encouraging and he's on a good mark if he comes forward from that.

10/1

4th

4

15th May 2026

Good To Yielding

3m 0f 50y

18:30 Kilbeggan

Ottoman Style

11st 6lb

J: Liam McKenna

T: Dermot A McLoughlin

Won back-to-back 2m4f handicap hurdles on testing ground in early 2023; struggled in a light campaign in 2024-2025 and pulled up in sole run last season; hard to fancy.

66/1

Form: 455-5

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 6lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Promise in maiden hurdles last term and it was a solid return to action when fifth of 23 in a handicap hurdle at Navan last month; yard's runners often come on for a reappearance run and the return to a longer trip ought to suit.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

21st Jul 2023

Yielding

2m 3f 0y

19:55 Kilbeggan

Changing The Rules

11st 12lb

J: Mark Walsh

T: Mrs John Harrington

midfield, good headway and in touch with leaders 7th, not fluent 2 out

5/2

1st

2

20th Jun 2023

Good

2m 3f 170y

13:40 Wexford

Changing The Rules

11st 12lb

J: Jody McGarvey

T: Mrs John Harrington

jumped well, in touch with leaders, went fourth after 3rd, pressed leaders 4 out, led going best after 2 out, clear when jumped slightly right last, pushed out, comfortably

5/2

2nd

2

4th Jun 2023

Good

2m 3f 100y

16:20 Kilbeggan

Changing The Rules

11st 12lb

J: Simon Torrens

T: Mrs John Harrington

115-rated hurdler so ideally treated by race conditions and getting the hang of chasing; best effort so far when third in useful contest at Ballinrobe and that form has been franked.

5/2

Form: 21-4U0

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 12lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Useful hurdle form last season and got off the mark in a maiden hurdle at Navan in March; not at that level in three runs this term, unseating on his penultimate hurdle start and tailed off at Navan last month; something to prove now with hood fitted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13

22nd Mar 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 7f 120y

16:30 Navan

Global Export

10st 8lb

J: Alix Balfe

T: Gavin Cromwell

in rear

14/1

3rd

5

1st Mar 2025

Heavy

2m 4f 90y

16:20 Navan

Global Export

10st 3lb

J: Alix Balfe

T: Gavin Cromwell

towards rear, headway from 4 out, in touch with leaders on inner 3 out, went third 2 out, no impression when bad mistake last, kept on

10/1

Form: 4-7314 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Big run here when narrowly denied in a maiden hurdle a couple of seasons ago and has got back on track of late, landing a maiden hurdle at Sligo on his penultimate outing prior to a solid fourth at Naas three weeks ago back in a handicap; will need a career best to figure here.
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

Form: 3519R-

Last run: 220 days

W: 11st 5lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
Didn't kick on after her maiden hurdle success last term but ran okay when making her return on the Flat in October; might be able to resume progress but will need to.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

7

(11)

13th Oct 2024

Yielding

2m 0f 23y

16:00 Naas

Vera Verto

9st 0lb

J: Gary Carroll

T: Gavin Cromwell

started quickly, led narrowly, prominent after 2f, lost position but in touch with leaders after 3f

12/1

5th

8

(6)

14th Sep 2024

Heavy

1m 7f 196y

Class 2

14:40 Chester

Vera Verto

8st 7lb

J: Adam Farragher

T: Gavin Cromwell

Three 1m5f/1m4f handicap wins when making most last year; easily her most competitive show this term when never-nearer second at Killarney (extended 1m6f, yielding to soft) last time; that's the furthest she's been on the Flat and gives hope for this longer trip; acts on heavy; one to consider.

11/2

2nd

4

(13)

23rd Aug 2024

Good

1m 6f 80y

19:12 Killarney

Vera Verto

9st 2lb

J: Gary Carroll

T: Gavin Cromwell

midfield early, towards rear when pushed along briefly before halfway

10/1

Form: 2P3P-1 D

Last run: 48 days

W: 11st 8lb

5 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Out of her depth in a mares' Grade 1 here in April but got back on track with a maiden hurdle success at Cork in October; should have more to come and ground is fine; hood on.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

6th Mar 2023

Yielding

2m 1f 0y

16:00 Leopardstown

Derrylinda

11st 5lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: Gavin Cromwell

Cork maiden hurdle winner last autumn rated 119 in that discipline, reportedly coughing when a disappointing favourite in Fairyhouse novice last time when tried hooded; half-sister to 152-rated chaser Run Wild Fred could have more to offer now tackling fences.

9/2

8th

5

3rd Dec 2022

Yielding

2m 4f 40y

14:27 Fairyhouse

Derrylinda

11st 8lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: Gavin Cromwell

Out of her depth in a mares' Grade 1 here in April but got back on track with a maiden hurdle success at Cork in October; should have more to come and ground is fine; hood on.

13/2

Form: 8-1 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 12st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Promise in a point and left his Rules debut behind when stepped up in trip to win a maiden hurdle at Navan last month; entitled to come on for that run and the ground is fine for him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

17th Mar 2025

Good

2m 3f 140y

16:12 Down Royal

Spirit Of Legend

11st 11lb

J: Phillip Enright

T: Henry De Bromhead

Hurdles winner is 0-7 chasing, having failed to complete on three of those; still not a fluent jumper although penultimate Fairyhouse effort was a solid one; hard to be confident in.

9/2

8th

1

11th Jan 2025

2m 5f 203y

14:51 Fairyhouse

Spirit Of Legend

12st 0lb

J: Phillip Enright

T: Henry De Bromhead

held up in rear

16/1

8th

1

11th Jan 2025

2m 5f 203y

14:51 Fairyhouse

Spirit Of Legend

12st 0lb

J: Phillip Enright

T: Henry De Bromhead

held up in rear

16/1

Form: 1237P-

Last run: 230 days

W: 11st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Bumper winner; chased home Bronn in a maiden hurdle at Naas in January (form that has worked out well) but hasn't managed to build on that in three runs since; pulled up on handicap debut here when last seen and off 230 days; needs to resume progress.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12

25th Jan 2023

Soft To Heavy

2m 0f 0y

12:53 Fairyhouse

Killer Mode

11st 12lb

J: B J Cooper

T: Noel Meade

Useful bumper winner who had some decent form over hurdles; was pulled up on his final two starts over obstacles; offered something to work on when a well-beaten sixth on chasing debut at Down Royal; will act on soft/heavy ground; needs to improve on debut to figure here.

16/1

6th

8

26th Dec 2022

Good To Yielding

2m 4f 0y

13:23 Down Royal

Killer Mode

11st 12lb

J: E Walsh

T: Noel Meade

in touch with leaders, prominent on inner 2 out (usual 3 out), soon ridden and outpaced, weakening when switched right omitted 2 out

18/1

Form: 3-1

Last run: 16 days

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Turned over when odds on for his debut (only beaten 2l) and made a winning return in a maiden hurdle at Clonmel last month; has a bit to find but he is a nice prospect and shaped like this step up in trip would suit; entirely unexposed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

9th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 28y

Class 3

17:42 Hexham

The Four Sixes

12st 0lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

But disappointing in four runs over hurdles since a spell chasing; has dropped to a good mark as a result and better run last time; down in grade; could go well.

5/1

4th

3

17th Apr 2026

Soft

2m 5f 91y

Class 2

16:05 Ayr

The Four Sixes

11st 11lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Easily made all in this last year when 5lb higher and he's one to watch in the betting; however, he's struggled for form over fences/hurdles since winning a novice chase at Kelso in December.

11/1

7th

3

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 123y

Class 2

15:20 Bangor-on-Dee

The Four Sixes

11st 11lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Olly Murphy

Won this last year before following up at Ayr and is well handicapped on all that; however, this season's wins have been over fences and it's been a struggle back hurdling the last twice.

5/1

Form: -13355

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
Not at his best in two runs at Cheltenham this term, although had a stiff task in Grade 2 company last time out; peak form from last season gives him a squeak.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

(9)

20th Jul 2026

Good

1m 4f 179y

19:40 Ballinrobe

Desert Friend

9st 13lb

J: Conor Cusack

T: P J F Murphy

Admirable veteran gained a fourth turf win on the Flat at Sligo in May (1m6f, yld-sft); has come up short off revised mark since but has C&D form figures of 124 and the win came off 6lb higher than he is here; could go well.

8/1

4th

2

(2)

2nd Jul 2026

Good

1m 6f 109y

19:51 Bellewstown

Desert Friend

10st 0lb

J: Conor Cusack

T: P J F Murphy

Dual-purpose veteran; winner of nine races across both codes; bolted up at Sligo in May (1m6f, yld-sft) off 6lb lower; struggled the last twice however, and previous runs here have not been his best.

11/1

12th

2

(3)

7th Jun 2026

Good

1m 5f 0y

16:37 Navan

Desert Friend

10st 1lb

J: Chris Hayes

T: P J F Murphy

Veteran gained the ninth win of his career when bolting up at Sligo on penultimate (1m6f, yld-sft); raised 8lb and couldn't follow up at Listowel (2m, good); drop back in trip a plus and has run well here before; place shout.

12/1

Form: 6133-0 D

Last run: 13 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Winner on handicap debut at Punchestown last term and ran with credit in his next two starts; low-key return when tailed off at Cork and has a tough task on these terms.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

24th Apr 2025

Good

2m 2f 50y

18:15 Kilbeggan

The Niffler

11st 13lb

J: Hugh Morgan

T: Eamonn O’Connell

towards rear, headway on outer from 2 out, ran on well from last, went third inside final 110yds

15/2

3rd

1

24th Apr 2025

Good

2m 2f 50y

18:15 Kilbeggan

The Niffler

11st 13lb

J: Hugh Morgan

T: Eamonn O’Connell

towards rear, headway on outer from 2 out, ran on well from last, went third inside final 110yds

15/2

2nd

10

6th Oct 2024

Yielding

2m 0f 50y

16:15 Tipperary

The Niffler

10st 8lb

J: Jack Foley

T: Eamonn O’Connell

slowly away, towards rear, soon detached, joined main group halfway, headway and went fourth 2 out, ran on well from last, went second post

10/1

Non-runners

Spirit Of Legend, Desert Friend, The Niffler

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €50.70
Straight Forecast €120.13
Trifecta €210.80

Selections

RP Ratings (IRE):

Changing The Rules

The Irish Sun:

The Four Sixes

SPOTLIGHT:

Dovlator

TOPSPEED:

Derrylinda

POSTDATA:

Changing The Rules