December 03 / 15.02 Fairyhouse

15.02

Yielding

Kevin Sheedy Bowel Cancer Raceday 17th December Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £7932.77
  • 2m 4f 40y
  • 12 runners
RTV
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Kevin Sheedy Bowel Cancer Raceday 17th December Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

25/1 (Won)

  • Win: £4.50
  • Place: £1.50

Form: 9-FU49 CD

Last run: 13 days

W: 11st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Maiden hurdle winner in April; didn't take to fences in a couple of starts in October and a return to hurdles in recent starts hasn't sparked a revival; tongue-tie now fitted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

10

4th Jul 2026

Good

3m 0f 116y

19:48 Bellewstown

Whatsavailable

10st 12lb

J: Josh Williamson

T: M F Morris

His three hurdle wins came at Fairyhouse on good ground at 2m4f-3m but nothing since late 2024; some cracking runs in defeat though, including when third off 108 at Cork (3m) in April; tailed off in this race last year.

25/1

4th

3

30th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 100y

17:00 Listowel

Whatsavailable

11st 12lb

J: Josh Williamson

T: M F Morris

His three hurdle wins came at Fairyhouse on good ground at 2m4f-3m but nothing since late 2024; some cracking runs in defeat though, including when third off this mark at Cork (3m, yielding); challenging for the lead when unseated at the third last at Wexford last time; down to an attractive mark.

8/1

2

16th May 2026

Good To Yielding

3m 0f 0y

15:50 Wexford

Whatsavailable

11st 11lb

J: Josh Williamson

T: M F Morris

His three hurdle wins have come at Fairyhouse up to this trip; has run some cracking races in defeat including third off this mark at Cork last time; a player with a repeat.

6/1

20/1

  • Place: £2.30

Form: 910-59

Last run: 105 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Winner on the Flat on his penultimate start but wasn't at his best over hurdles in the summer and seems on a tough mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

7

(1)

25th Sep 2025

Standard

1m 4f 98y

Class 6

17:30 Newcastle (AW)

Flying Scotsman

9st 8lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Ben Haslam

Scored over C&D in January off just 1lb lower; absent since a heavy defeat over hurdles in May but the January win came after a 95-day break; visor the headgear of choice today; more appealing than many.

4/1

1

28th May 2025

Good To Soft

2m 6f 31y

Class 4

18:40 Cartmel

Flying Scotsman

12st 0lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Ben Haslam

Seen only once over hurdles since 2023, when pulled up last summer, and his AW win in January came in a low-grade handicap; needs to prove he can still be competitive off a mark this high over jumps.

20/1

1

28th May 2025

Good To Soft

2m 6f 31y

Class 4

18:40 Cartmel

Flying Scotsman

12st 0lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Ben Haslam

Seen only once over hurdles since 2023, when pulled up last summer, and his AW win in January came in a low-grade handicap; needs to prove he can still be competitive off a mark this high over jumps.

20/1

13/2

  • Place: £1.90

Form: -02923

Last run: 41 days

W: 10st 13lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Has hit the frame in three of his last four starts in maiden hurdles but seems on a tough mark as a result for handicap debut; back up in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

17th

16

(13)

22nd Oct 2025

Soft

1m 6f 0y

17:32 Navan

Viceregent

9st 3lb

J: Sadhbh Tormey

T: H D McGuigan

Both wins have been on soft including this race two years ago when with Charles Byrnes; much lower mark nowadays and just okay runs of late; more needed.

25/1

17

(1)

13th Oct 2025

Heavy

1m 4f 46y

17:05 Roscommon

Viceregent

9st 4lb

T: H D McGuigan

First reserve; two-time soft ground winner but on a long losing run; not the worst effort at Bellewstown latest and he's on a dangerous mark; could go well if getting a run.

6th

7

(9)

2nd Oct 2025

Good To Yielding

1m 4f 77y

16:45 Bellewstown

Viceregent

9st 8lb

J: Nicola Burns

T: H D McGuigan

Struggled for form since leaving Charles Byrnes in 2023 and no signs of a revival at Down Royal last month; return to slower ground may help and on a career-low mark but he's hard to recommend.

25/1

Form: 006-47 C

Last run: 186 days

W: 10st 11lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Hasn't won over hurdles since 2017 and was tailed off over fences when last seen 186 days ago.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

5

20th Aug 2023

Yielding

2m 5f 150y

14:15 Tramore

Charlie Stout

11st 5lb

J: Shane Fitzgerald

T: Shane Nolan

in touch with leaders, soon prominent

20/1

7th

13

6th Aug 2023

Good

2m 2f 54y

15:30 Galway

Charlie Stout

10st 0lb

J: Kieran Callaghan

T: Shane Nolan

led, headed after 4th

25/1

4th

2

29th May 2023

Good

2m 3f 100y

19:00 Ballinrobe

Charlie Stout

11st 1lb

J: Kieran Callaghan

T: Shane Nolan

Veteran won his third race over fences when scoring at Wexford in March and ran a solid race at Fairyhouse next time off this mark; handles good ground and can be involved again.

3/1

Form: P/587- D

Last run: 387 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Has struggled since winning a novice handicap hurdle at Down Royal in March 2021 and has a 387-day absence to defy.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

14th Jul 2023

Good

3m 1f 0y

19:20 Kilbeggan

Papal Lodge

11st 12lb

J: Michael O’Sullivan

T: Peter Fahey

Won his third hurdle race when taking a Thurles handicap in March over 3m; however, has been way below that level since and best watched on chasing debut.

20/1

15th

8

29th May 2023

Good

2m 6f 92y

17:30 Ballinrobe

Papal Lodge

10st 7lb

J: Danny Mullins

T: Peter Fahey

Ran no race at Fairyhouse last time but he did it nicely at Thurles the time before (3m, soft) and has won on yielding ground; couldn't discount.

14/1

16th

15

10th Apr 2023

Yielding

2m 5f 155y

16:15 Fairyhouse

Papal Lodge

10st 9lb

J: Sean Flanagan

T: Peter Fahey

never better than mid-division, dropped to rear when pushed along and struggling after 8th, weakened and became detached 3 out, eased and tailed off before 2 out

14/1

Form: 10-780

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 124

Form & Verdict
Career best when winning a handicap hurdle at Naas in January but has really struggled since and he's been tailed off in three runs this term; back up in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

23rd Mar 2026

Good

1m 7f 50y

Class 4

14:15 Wincanton

Bigz Belief

10st 4lb

J: Tpr Elizabeth Feakes

T: Fergal O’Brien

Best of three hurdle runs for new stable this season when second of five in soft-ground Leicester seller (2m4f) in December; reverts to this code after going close off his basement Flat mark three weeks ago but others have more compelling claims; first ride under rules for Elizabeth Feakes.

6/1

2nd

8

(2)

2nd Mar 2026

Standard

1m 4f 51y

Class 6

20:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Bigz Belief

8st 10lb

J: Gina Mangan

T: Fergal O’Brien

This season's hurdling form for Fergal O'Brien was uninspiring and he was safely held when fourth in C&D classified race on Flat return in January; difficult to enthuse over.

14/1

4th

1

(6)

26th Jan 2026

Standard

1m 4f 51y

Class 6

20:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Bigz Belief

9st 9lb

J: Gina Mangan

T: Fergal O’Brien

Triple hurdle winner but his last success was in 2023 and he was well held at Taunton last Saturday; now returns to the Flat for the first time in 16 months and he's 1-24 in this sphere; opposable.

12/1

11/2

Form: 9P3113 D BF

Last run: 37 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Beaten favourite in handicap hurdle hat-trick bid at Clonmel in October but ran with credit; suspicion is that the handicapper has caught up with him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

1

17th Apr 2023

Soft

2m 4f 120y

17:45 Tramore

Gaius

12st 0lb

J: Philip Byrnes

T: C Byrnes

Enjoyed a good autumn for Noel Kelly with wins at Punchestown and Sligo; good Ayr second in December when last seen and now reappears for new yard; trip/ground okay and market could prove best guide.

10/1

2nd

3

22nd Dec 2022

Good To Soft

2m 4f 100y

Class 3

14:00 Ayr

Gaius

11st 10lb

J: Mr O McGill

T: Noel C Kelly

held up in rear

9/1

7th

8

3rd Dec 2022

Yielding

2m 4f 40y

15:02 Fairyhouse

Gaius

11st 0lb

J: Simon Torrens

T: Noel C Kelly

Beaten favourite in handicap hurdle hat-trick bid at Clonmel in October but ran with credit; suspicion is that the handicapper has caught up with him.

11/2

Form: /P2/6- D

Last run: 525 days

W: 11st 1lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
Useful over hurdles back in 2017 for Gordon Elliott before winning Grade 1s over hurdles in the US; well treated on peak form but unlikely to be the force of old and has an absence to overcome on debut for new yard.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

16th

16

12th Jan 2024

Soft

2m 3f 24y

15:12 Naas

Zanjabeel

10st 8lb

J: Conor Brassil

T: Stephanie Ocsko-Moore

Grade 1 winning hurdler in America back in the day but poor form in Ireland and makes no appeal.

50/1

10th

13

1st Sep 2023

Good

3m 0f 0y

19:05 Down Royal

Zanjabeel

11st 5lb

J: Conor Brassil

T: Stephanie Ocsko-Moore

Former Grade 1 hurdle winner in USA but nowhere near that level back to these shores and back hurdling after being pulled up over fences last time.

33/1

OUR TIP

Form: 25/1F-

Last run: 391 days

W: 12st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 129

Form & Verdict
Made a winning return in a maiden hurdle at Downpatrick 14 months ago and was running a big race in a Grade 3 before coming down after a bad mistake at the last; 391-day absence is a concern and opening mark is fair at best but further progress is possible stepping back up in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

18th Apr 2024

Heavy

2m 2f 152y

16:00 Clonmel

Boothen Boy

11st 4lb

J: E Walsh

T: Cian Collins

raced wide, soon prominent, pulled up quickly before 3rd, looked to go wrong

8/11

5

18th Apr 2024

Heavy

2m 2f 152y

16:00 Clonmel

Boothen Boy

11st 4lb

J: E Walsh

T: Cian Collins

raced wide, soon prominent, pulled up quickly before 3rd, looked to go wrong

8/11

2nd

1

21st Mar 2023

Heavy

2m 2f 112y

13:55 Clonmel

Boothen Boy

12st 0lb

J: Denis O’Regan

T: Gordon Elliott

in touch with leaders, headway to challenge going okay before 2 out, led narrowly after 2 out, ridden and headed run-in, no extra towards finish

11/2

Form: 474F-0 D

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 13lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 128

Form & Verdict
Low-key return when tailed off at Galway in October wearing first-time cheekpieces (retained); interesting that he remains over hurdles for now and a return to this trip on better ground might help but he would need a career best to defy this handicap mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

3

20th Sep 2023

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 2

17:50 Kelso

Minella Escape

10st 9lb

J: Charlotte Jones

T: James Moffatt

in touch with leaders on outer, went second after 8th

33/1

0

4

22nd Jul 2023

Soft

2m 6f 31y

Class 3

15:25 Cartmel

Minella Escape

11st 12lb

J: Lorcan Murtagh

T: James Moffatt

in rear, fell 1st

33/1

4

29th May 2023

Good

3m 1f 83y

Class 2

14:55 Cartmel

Minella Escape

11st 6lb

J: Leah Noreci

T: James Moffatt

in rear

25/1

Form: 20-905

Last run: 16 days

W: 11st 5lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Looked like a nice prospect last winter, winning maiden hurdle at Limerick prior to narrow defeat on handicap hurdle bow at Punchestown in January; has gone the wrong way since and has stamina to prove at this trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

8

19th Mar 2026

Yielding To Soft

2m 4f 0y

16:00 Cork

Doctor Churchill

11st 5lb

J: Cian Cullinan

T: Eddie & Patrick Harty

Naas winner early last year for former yard after a long absence (2m3f, heavy); backed into favourite when tailed off on stable debut at that venue in January; capable of a better showing than that.

14/1

10th

6

25th Jan 2026

Heavy

2m 2f 150y

14:25 Naas

Doctor Churchill

11st 6lb

J: Cian Cullinan

T: Eddie & Patrick Harty

C&D winner early last year after a long absence; fair third over 3m at Fairyhouse on his penultimate start last season; has changed stable and could go well given his ability to win when fresh.

12/1

13th

17

30th Apr 2025

Yielding

2m 3f 58y

14:30 Punchestown

Doctor Churchill

11st 6lb

J: Shane O’Callaghan

T: Patrick Joseph Hayes

Bolted up on yard debut on the back of an absence in January and bounced back from a lesser run when beaten roughly 2l at Fairyhouse earlier this month; both wins on heavy but versatile with regards to conditions and drop back in trip fine too.

33/1

Form: 055-62

Last run: 22 days

W: 10st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
Only beaten a head from a 6lb higher mark at Cheltenham's November meeting last month; has stamina to prove stepping back up in trip but he's easy to make a case for from a handicapping perspective.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

17th

9

29th Jul 2024

Yielding

2m 0f 130y

17:25 Galway

Explosive Boy

11st 12lb

J: Daniel King

T: Mrs C O’Leary

Maiden has run well in defeat at times, including in maiden hurdles at this track in 2021; went closest to breakthrough when beaten a head in a Cheltenham handicap in 2022; well beaten on return after absence but a chance if back to best.

20/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €29.80
Straight Forecast €22.32
Tricast €120.24
Trifecta €202.00

Selections

RP Ratings (IRE):

Explosive Boy

SPOTLIGHT:

Boothen Boy

The Irish Sun:

Boothen Boy

TOPSPEED:

Explosive Boy

POSTDATA:

Explosive Boy