December 15 / 14.25 Naas

14.25

Yielding To Soft

Happy Christmas From Naas Racecourse Beginners Chase

  • Prize money: £6197.48
  • 2m 4f 0y
  • 18 runners
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Happy Christmas From Naas Racecourse Beginners Chase

Runners: 18 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

OUR TIP

Form: 1180-4 C

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Progressive in handicap hurdles in the first half of last season including 2m4f win here; remote last of 4 on chasing debut behind Kilcruit at Punchestown last month and although entitled to come on for that seems best watched for now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

9th Jun 2024

Good

2m 7f 66y

16:40 Punchestown

Aldo The Apache

11st 10lb

J: Richard Condon

T: C A Murphy

led but pestered

20/1

7th

2

13th May 2024

Good

2m 4f 50y

18:10 Killarney

Aldo The Apache

11st 9lb

J: Richard Condon

T: C A Murphy

Three wins over hurdles in 2021; has failed to complete the course in five of his last six appearances; can be ruled out.

25/1

7th

2

13th May 2024

Good

2m 4f 50y

18:10 Killarney

Aldo The Apache

11st 9lb

J: Richard Condon

T: C A Murphy

Three wins over hurdles in 2021; has failed to complete the course in five of his last six appearances; can be ruled out.

25/1

Abandoned

Form: 5214-2 C

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Smart novice hurdler last season, winning 2m4f Grade 2 Fairyhouse novice; satisfactory chasing debut at same venue last month when second, taking a bit of time to warm to his jumping; with the benefit of that experience should be a major player here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

30th Mar 2025

Good To Yielding

3m 4f 120y

16:05 Downpatrick

Bronn

11st 12lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Thomas Gibney

Very useful for Willie Mullins, notably when placed in 3m1f Grade 1 novice events at Cheltenham and Aintree the season before last; lost form last season and yet to hit form in three runs for current yard, latest when faller in 3m1f Leinter National; 14lb off career-high but remains opposable and one of two runners for the owners.

12/1

2

9th Mar 2025

Soft

3m 0f 174y

16:45 Naas

Bronn

11st 10lb

J: J J Slevin

T: Thomas Gibney

Very useful for Willie Mullins, notably when placed in 3m1f Grade 1 novice event at Cheltenham and Aintree the season before last; lost form last season, pulled up final two outings; tailed off on stable/seasonal debut at Clonmel and pulled up in Grade 3 at Tramore; down 12lb from career-high mark.

20/1

5

1st Jan 2025

Soft

2m 6f 170y

14:15 Tramore

Bronn

11st 0lb

J: Shane Fitzgerald

T: Thomas Gibney

in touch with leaders, dropped to rear 5 out, slow jump 3 out, soon detached, pulled up 2 out

33/1

Form: 03516- C

Last run: 231 days

W: 11st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Took hurdles mark to 134 when running away with 2m4f Fairyhouse handicap under an enterprising ride at Easter and didn't run badly off revised mark at Punchestown afterwards; from family of Gold Cup winner Imperial Commander so bred to jump a fence.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

21st Mar 2024

Soft To Heavy

3m 0f 70y

16:33 Cork

Capilano Bridge

11st 9lb

J: Charlie O’Dwyer

T: Conor O’Dwyer

Two good runs in defeat last season over fences but struggled both runs this term back over timber; may find testing ground over this trip too much.

20/1

7th

5

25th Feb 2024

Soft To Heavy

2m 6f 147y

15:55 Naas

Capilano Bridge

10st 10lb

J: Charlie O’Dwyer

T: Conor O’Dwyer

Returned from a year off to run okay in a Listed handicap hurdle at Navan; probably best watched still.

33/1

7th

2

20th Jan 2024

Frozen

2m 4f 0y

13:55 Navan

Capilano Bridge

11st 10lb

J: Charlie O’Dwyer

T: Conor O’Dwyer

midfield, mistake and lost ground 1st, soon dropped to rear

20/1

Form: 62211- C

Last run: 277 days

W: 11st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Both hurdle wins have come here including Grade 3 novice in March when last seen (rated 138); plenty of chase winners in pedigree and should do well in this discipline.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

24th

1

30th Nov 2024

Yielding

2m 4f 55y

15:05 Fairyhouse

Highland Charge

12st 0lb

J: Conor McNamara

T: E McNamara

towards rear

20/1

24th

1

30th Nov 2024

Yielding

2m 4f 55y

15:05 Fairyhouse

Highland Charge

12st 0lb

J: Conor McNamara

T: E McNamara

towards rear

20/1

Form: FFF8-3

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
128-rated hurdler is now 0-6 chasing, making promising start here last term but fell on three consecutive outings afterwards; clear round on comeback last month should have done his confidence good but this looks a stiffer task.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

14

30th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 0f 75y

16:50 Punchestown

Indiana Jones

11st 4lb

J: Shane O’Callaghan

T: M F Morris

Out of sorts for a long time before returning to form with a fine effort to finish fifth in the Topham; had decent 2m form early in his career

25/1

5th

29

10th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 19y

Class 1

16:05 Aintree

Indiana Jones

10st 2lb

J: Shane O’Callaghan

T: M F Morris

He won a Grade 3 novice chase in March 2023 but this 10yo has been nowhere near that level across the last two seasons.

66/1

16th

6

2nd Mar 2026

Soft To Heavy

2m 5f 120y

16:25 Leopardstown

Indiana Jones

10st 10lb

J: Eoin Staples

T: M F Morris

No success since 2023 and recent form generally poor; back from a short break with lots to prove.

25/1

Form: 0010-5

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Grade 1-placed novice hurdle winner didn't appear to stay 2m6f trip on last month's chasing debut at Thurles, fading quite tamely; drop in trip to suit but others preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

15th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 6f 54y

Class 3

16:25 Haydock

Irascible

11st 12lb

J: Miss Amber Jackson-Fennell

T: Miss Amber Jackson-Fennell

Very useful hurdler in his prime but this 10yo isn't the same force nowadays and was no match for Jet Plane in a hunter chase at Wetherby (3m, soft) a fortnight ago; others are preferred.

33/1

2nd

5

1st Feb 2025

Soft

3m 0f 45y

Class 5

15:15 Wetherby

Irascible

11st 12lb

J: Miss Amber Jackson-Fennell

T: Miss Amber Jackson-Fennell

Earned a lofty rating over hurdles for Henry De Bromhead but hasn't been quite so effective over fences (0-5) and his recent third between the flags was remote; others have less to prove right now.

8/1

2nd

5

1st Feb 2025

Soft

3m 0f 45y

Class 5

15:15 Wetherby

Irascible

11st 12lb

J: Miss Amber Jackson-Fennell

T: Miss Amber Jackson-Fennell

Earned a lofty rating over hurdles for Henry De Bromhead but hasn't been quite so effective over fences (0-5) and his recent third between the flags was remote; others have less to prove right now.

8/1

Form: 11F7-F C

Last run: 19 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

11th May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 7f 0y

19:37 Killarney

Journey With Me

12st 0lb

J: Mr B O’Neill

T: D M Christie

Contested Grade 1s for Henry de Bromhead; reportedly not himself during the winter but got back on track in narrowly repelling 11-8f Asian Master over 2m4f at Cork last month; has a bit to prove over this far but his class is much respected.

9/4

1st

7

6th Apr 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 4f 0y

16:10 Cork

Journey With Me

12st 0lb

J: Mr D Doyle

T: D M Christie

Achieved a high standard in his prime for Henry de Bromhead; three wins over fences, including at Grade 2/3 level; unconvincing form in points in recent months, beaten favourite in three of his last four races.

11/2

5th

3

21st Apr 2025

Soft To Heavy

2m 3f 170y

16:20 Fairyhouse

Journey With Me

11st 10lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Henry De Bromhead

Most recent of three chase wins came in this race last season on heavy ground, beating Appreciate It by 9l; nowhere near that level of form in three starts this season; beaten 44l at Windsor in January; 13l behind Saint Sam when last of three in the Red Mills at Gowran.

12/1

Abandoned

Form: 2111P- C

Last run: 231 days

W: 11st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

7th Mar 2026

Heavy

3m 1f 0y

16:53 Gowran Park

Macs Charm

12st 0lb

J: Mr M J Love

T: Ciaran Murphy

Progressive handicap hurdler for Colm Murphy in 2022 and won a handicap chase in 2023; best of three runs in points for Ciaran Murphy when second to the very useful Wrappedupinmay on his penultimate start.

14/1

3

21st Apr 2025

Soft To Heavy

3m 0f 130y

17:40 Fairyhouse

Macs Charm

11st 3lb

J: Brian Hayes

T: C A Murphy

in rear

12/1

3

21st Apr 2025

Soft To Heavy

3m 0f 130y

17:40 Fairyhouse

Macs Charm

11st 3lb

J: Brian Hayes

T: C A Murphy

in rear

12/1

Form: 66-

Last run: 280 days

W: 11st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

18th

12

30th Jan 2023

Soft

2m 0f 0y

12:47 Punchestown

Moral Of The Story

11st 12lb

J: Ambrose McCurtin

T: J C Hurley

took keen hold, in touch with leaders

14/1

6

20th Dec 2022

Yielding To Soft

2m 4f 0y

12:05 Naas

Moral Of The Story

11st 12lb

J: Ambrose McCurtin

T: J C Hurley

in rear

100/1

Form: 121-02

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

4m 2f 8y

Class 1

15:00 Uttoxeter

My Immortal

11st 11lb

J: Mr Finian Maguire

T: Barry Connell

Chasing career appeared to be going nowhere fast until popping up at 40-1 in a 3m3f Listed handicap at Punchestown (heavy; cheekpieces removed), in which he was well beaten the year before; whether he'll follow one good run with another is anyone's guess, though the softening ground has helped his cause.

14/1

1st

6

15th Feb 2026

3m 3f 60y

15:00 Punchestown

My Immortal

11st 4lb

J: Mr Finian Maguire

T: Barry Connell

2-5 over hurdles; has failed to reach the same standard over fences after keeping good company in beginners' events; has failed to reach the first six in last four handicap attempts; remote fourth in this event two years ago.

25/1

7th

3

26th Oct 2025

Yielding

2m 6f 111y

14:35 Galway

My Immortal

11st 1lb

J: Sean Flanagan

T: Barry Connell

Dual hurdle winner who is 0-7 over fences but has been mixing it in smart company and was only 9-1 when failing to fire in the Thyestes on final appearance in January; has a race in him off this mark but confidence would be welcomed first time back.

10/1

Form: 00P07-

Last run: 248 days

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

8

14th Jul 2025

Good

2m 7f 150y

17:28 Downpatrick

Ocodango Boy

10st 9lb

J: Harry Sexton

T: Peter McCreery

0-11 over hurdles and 0-7 over fences, though was chasing the winner when unseating late on over C&D in October; could go well.

8/1

Abandoned

Form: /3166- D

Last run: 232 days

W: 11st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

22nd May 2026

Good To Yielding

3m 4f 165y

20:00 Downpatrick

Ramillies

12st 0lb

J: Mr T C Kileff

T: D M Christie

Second runner for yard; six-time point winner has been well below his best in that sphere last season and isn't easy to fancy on that form.

28/1

11

2nd May 2025

Yielding

3m 0f 160y

16:15 Punchestown

Ramillies

12st 0lb

J: Mr R James

T: D M Christie

never better than midfield, pulled up 11th

12/1

11

2nd May 2025

Yielding

3m 0f 160y

16:15 Punchestown

Ramillies

12st 0lb

J: Mr R James

T: D M Christie

never better than midfield, pulled up 11th

12/1

Form: 802400

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

8

26th Oct 2025

Yielding

2m 6f 111y

14:35 Galway

The Dasher Conway

10st 2lb

J: Patrick M O’Brien

T: Mrs Gillian Callaghan

Ran well over hurdles in July but well behind last time at Navan, that after a pull-up over fences; only 4-41 overall and opposable in a race of this nature.

25/1

5

20th Sep 2025

Yielding

1m 7f 165y

14:00 Navan

The Dasher Conway

11st 5lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: Mrs Gillian Callaghan

Two disappointing runs over fences since placed in a handicap hurdle at Kilbeggan in July; probably vulnerable to younger and less exposed rivals.

16/1

2

17th Aug 2025

Good

2m 6f 0y

16:30 Tramore

The Dasher Conway

11st 10lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: Mrs Gillian Callaghan

Not at his best since second to the high-class Saint Roi at Galway last season; was promoted to 133 as a result of that display; now 15lb lower, showed signs of a return to form when third over hurdles at Kilbeggan last month; slightly disappointing at Galway this year but is dropped in grade now and is a course winner.

9/2

Form: 110-F8

Last run: 118 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

8th Jan 2023

Soft

2m 0f 0y

13:20 Naas

Top Bandit

11st 2lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Gordon Elliott

raced in second, pressed leader when fell heavily 4th

11/2

6

21st Dec 2022

Yielding

2m 0f 0y

11:35 Fairyhouse

Top Bandit

11st 12lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Gordon Elliott

Won four of his five races in the first half of last season, a bumper and three races over hurdles; disappointed when thrown in at the deep end for handicap debut in the County Hurdle; fell at fourth-last in the Galway Hurdle; followed that with a moderate run at Killarney in August; got his career back on course with a solid run at Punchestown on Monday.

5/1

2nd

9

19th Dec 2022

Frozen

2m 0f 0y

14:40 Punchestown

Top Bandit

11st 12lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Gordon Elliott

raced in second throughout, pushed along and made challenge after 2 out, no impression when pecked on landing last, no chance with winner run-in, kept on

13/2

Form: 1P3-F3

Last run: 14 days

W: 11st 5lb

5 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

2nd May 2025

Yielding

2m 4f 55y

16:50 Punchestown

Brides Hill

11st 3lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: Gavin Cromwell

raced in third, weakened from 4 out, tailed off

7/2

3rd

2

2nd May 2025

Yielding

2m 4f 55y

16:50 Punchestown

Brides Hill

11st 3lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: Gavin Cromwell

raced in third, weakened from 4 out, tailed off

7/2

2nd

2

14th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 127y

Class 1

14:40 Cheltenham

Brides Hill

11st 5lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: Gavin Cromwell

in touch with leaders

11/2

Form: 21F9-5 D

Last run: 32 days

W: 11st 5lb

5 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

14th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 127y

Class 1

14:40 Cheltenham

Limerick Lace

11st 5lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Gavin Cromwell

edgy, in touch with leaders, overjumped 1st

13/2

2nd

2

1st Jan 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 5f 110y

14:25 Fairyhouse

Limerick Lace

11st 3lb

J: Mark Walsh

T: Gavin Cromwell

raced in fourth, niggled along briefly before 7th, pushed along briefly after 8th, went third 5 out

100/30

2nd

2

1st Jan 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 5f 110y

14:25 Fairyhouse

Limerick Lace

11st 3lb

J: Mark Walsh

T: Gavin Cromwell

raced in fourth, niggled along briefly before 7th, pushed along briefly after 8th, went third 5 out

100/30

Form: 1565FP

Last run: 7 days

W: 11st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

18th Sep 2024

Good

2m 0f 0y

15:35 Tramore

Just Jacob

11st 2lb

J: Kieren Buckley

T: Gavin Cromwell

Won over C&D last month and was a solid third at Ballinrobe five days ago off this mark; has a chance again if this doesn't come too soon

4/1

3rd

2

13th Sep 2024

Good

2m 1f 55y

18:50 Ballinrobe

Just Jacob

11st 11lb

J: Jack Kearney

T: Gavin Cromwell

in touch with leaders, prominent after 1st

4/1

1st

2

18th Aug 2024

Good

1m 7f 140y

16:33 Tramore

Just Jacob

11st 10lb

J: Kieren Buckley

T: Gavin Cromwell

Dual hurdle winner on good ground, never sighted on return from 544-day absence at Downpatrick in June; reverts to fences here having shown nothing in three attempts in late 2022 so impossible to assess on handicap debut; market likely best guide.

14/1

Abandoned

Form: 700

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

22nd Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

15:40 Kelso

Low Mileage

11st 1lb

J: Edward Austin

T: George Bewley

0-16 over fences; went close off much reduced mark at Musselburgh (2m4f, good to soft) in February and has claims here if judged on that form but didn't fire at Hexham last month.

5/1

6

22nd Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

15:40 Kelso

Low Mileage

11st 1lb

J: Edward Austin

T: George Bewley

0-16 over fences; went close off much reduced mark at Musselburgh (2m4f, good to soft) in February and has claims here if judged on that form but didn't fire at Hexham last month.

5/1

7th

6

13th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 15y

Class 5

14:22 Hexham

Low Mileage

11st 6lb

J: Edward Austin

T: George Bewley

18-race maiden; sound efforts in cheekpieces last twice, finishing third at Catterick (1m7f, good) and runner-up at Musselburgh (2m4f, good to soft); interesting.

7/2

Verdict

A good-class beginners chase in which JOURNEY WITH ME is a tentative selection providing he avoids the sort of serious error which proved costly at Gowran. Bronn is another to have shown enough on his chasing debut to make him a serious threat, while likely chasing debutant threats include Highland Charge, Macs Charm and My Immortal. [Alan Hewison]