December 26 / 12.48 Down Royal

12.48

Good To Yielding

Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £6197.48
  • 2m 1f 0y
  • 19 runners
RTV
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Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 19 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Rain

(Won)

  • Win: £20.90
  • Place: £3.50

Form: -59399

Last run: 39 days

W: 10st 11lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Second reserve; 0-6; placed on handicap debut but not as good twice since.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

7

10th Jun 2025

Good

2m 1f 157y

18:58 Sligo

Kalanisi Dubh

11st 8lb

J: Jake Coen

T: Seamus Fahey

Two-time winner on testing ground but last win came in December 2023; beaten similar distances last couple of starts; just 2lb above last win now and the forecast rain is in her favour.

10/1

5th

14

25th Apr 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 3f 100y

16:55 Kilbeggan

Kalanisi Dubh

10st 13lb

J: Kevin Sexton

T: Seamus Fahey

Won a 2m Clonmel handicap on heavy in 2023; not many runs since; solid back at that track last time but needs more up in trip.

14/1

5th

14

25th Apr 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 3f 100y

16:55 Kilbeggan

Kalanisi Dubh

10st 13lb

J: Kevin Sexton

T: Seamus Fahey

towards rear, steady headway on outer halfway, weakened run-in

14/1

5/1

  • Place: £1.60

Form: 504

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Has shown promise without threatening in three starts so far; looks on a good mark for handicap debut if he handles the drop back in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

6th Apr 2026

Yielding To Soft

3m 0f 120y

17:40 Fairyhouse

Cave Court

11st 5lb

J: Mr O McGill

T: Noel C Kelly

Two-time chase winner; fine effort when runner-up in a Cartmel handicap chase in June 2025 but only seen three times since and well beaten both starts in 2026, over hurdles at Haydock and in the Kim Muir at Cheltenham; needs to rediscover best.

25/1

14th

18

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 2f 70y

Class 2

17:20 Cheltenham

Cave Court

11st 0lb

J: Mr O McGill

T: Noel C Kelly

Runner-up at Cartmel (2m5f, good to soft) last June and he's run well at up to 3m in the past; however, he was tailed off at 50-1 over hurdles at Haydock last month when back from a break and looks up against it today.

66/1

33/1

  • Place: £5.20

Form: 060P

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 4lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Won twice on the Flat in Europe; struggled since going over hurdles for this yard including on handicap debut latest when pulled up.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

2

(1)

28th Jul 2023

Yielding To Soft

1m 4f 175y

20:00 Down Royal

Galactica

10st 0lb

J: Robert Whearty

T: Gavin Cromwell

towards rear, dropped to rear halfway

16/1

11th

4

(1)

12th Jul 2023

Standard

1m 4f 0y

17:30 Dundalk (AW)

Galactica

9st 13lb

J: Gary Carroll

T: Gavin Cromwell

Dual turf winner ran well on AW in France back in 2021; mostly over hurdles for this yard but has to improve a bit on recent Flat efforts; hood tried.

11/1

6th

7

(9)

24th Jun 2023

Good To Yielding

1m 2f 75y

15:45 Down Royal

Galactica

8st 7lb

J: Jamie Powell

T: Gavin Cromwell

took keen hold, midfield

7/1

6/1

  • Place: £1.80

Form: 283783 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 7lb

9 yo Mare

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Won twice in novice hurdle company in Britain; has run some solid races this decent including when third of 11 at Catterick last time; visor needs to eke out a bit more and very best form is at 2m4f.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

13th Jan 2023

Good To Soft

2m 5f 28y

Class 4

13:20 Sedgefield

Bellaney Gem

11st 7lb

J: James Bowen

T: S R B Crawford

Well beaten in two chase starts in 2021; ran okay in her latest handicap hurdle at Down Royal but she's 2-32 overall and looks best watched on this return to fences.

7/1

4th

6

26th Dec 2022

Good To Yielding

2m 1f 0y

12:48 Down Royal

Bellaney Gem

11st 7lb

J: P J O’Hanlon

T: S R B Crawford

Won twice in novice hurdle company in Britain; has run some solid races this decent including when third of 11 at Catterick last time; visor needs to eke out a bit more and very best form is at 2m4f.

6/1

3rd

8

28th Nov 2022

Good To Soft

2m 3f 66y

Class 4

14:00 Catterick

Bellaney Gem

11st 1lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: S R B Crawford

Normally consistent enough but 2m4f on soft ground wasn't ideal at Fairyhouse 13 days ago (cheekpieces left off, as today) and her two hurdle wins came in novice company last year; vulnerable on balance.

12/1

Form: -01377

Last run: 15 days

W: 10st 13lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Blotted her copybook when refusing on the Flat at Dundalk and well held back over timber at Cork earlier this month; best form is at 2m4f.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

26th Oct 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 4f 0y

15:22 Wexford

Wellgowats

11st 4lb

J: J J Slevin

T: Liam G O’Brien

Won off 2lb lower on testing ground at Gowran (2m) in October 2023; only seen twice in the last two years and not many positives to take from his August C&D run after 465-day absence; others appeal more.

22/1

9

8th Aug 2025

Good

2m 4f 100y

19:13 Wexford

Wellgowats

11st 4lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Liam G O’Brien

Without a win since scoring at Gowran in September 2023 off 4lb lower; off since May 2024 but has gone well fresh before; check market.

12/1

4th

5

9th May 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 70y

Class 4

19:20 Stratford

Wellgowats

10st 11lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Liam G O’Brien

Second hurdle success when seeing off 14 rivals at Gowran Park (2m, soft/heavy; other win on good) in September; good second at Wexford in November and given a break after a lesser run at Down Royal over Christmas; placed off a similar mark in Britain in summer 2022; Brian Hughes booked for this Irish raider.

6/1

Form: 990

Last run: 37 days

W: 10st 13lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Tailed off in a trio of maiden hurdles at big prices; step up needed on handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

5

20th Oct 2024

Good

3m 0f 0y

15:15 Limerick

Size Five

11st 13lb

J: Mr O McGill

T: Noel C Kelly

Made late headway when 15l sixth of 16 on handicap debut over 2m1f at Down Royal in December 2022; hacked up in a 3m handicap at Perth last month on return from 640-day absence; now 17lb higher than when originally assessed but has matured well during his layoff; leading chance.

7/2

1st

7

26th Sep 2024

Good

2m 7f 207y

Class 5

16:12 Perth

Size Five

11st 1lb

J: Mr O McGill

T: Noel C Kelly

took keen hold, in touch with leaders

6/1

6th

15

26th Dec 2022

Good To Yielding

2m 1f 0y

12:48 Down Royal

Size Five

10st 13lb

J: Shane Fenelon

T: Noel C Kelly

Tailed off in a trio of maiden hurdles at big prices; step up needed on handicap debut.

33/1

Form: 535-33 BF

Last run: 18 days

W: 10st 13lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
One of his better efforts when third of 16 at Clonmel earlier this month (beaten roughly 10l); 21-race maiden now and probably needs a bit further on testing ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

14

17th Jan 2026

Soft To Heavy

3m 0f 0y

15:00 Navan

Fox Le Bel

10st 4lb

J: Simon Torrens

T: Liz Doyle

No wins from 33 attempts (18 over fences) and getting on in years now; dispiriting form in three runs since returned from a 569-day break; pulled up at Punchestown in November, before refused to race at Tramore later that month; more encouraging at Tramore last time, but 20l behind the winner all the same; best watched.

11/1

Form: 6-U470 CD

Last run: 43 days

W: 11st 7lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Course winner back in 2020 but no wins since; tailed off on yard debut at Navan last month and probably needs further these days.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

8

26th Dec 2022

Good To Yielding

2m 1f 0y

12:48 Down Royal

Presenting Meghan

11st 7lb

J: Benjamin P Kennedy

T: Paul W Flynn

Course winner back in 2020 but no wins since; tailed off on yard debut at Navan last month and probably needs further these days.

33/1

12th

18

13th Nov 2022

Yielding

2m 6f 0y

12:15 Navan

Presenting Meghan

10st 10lb

J: Danny Mullins

T: Paul W Flynn

midfield, ridden after 3 out, weakened approaching last

25/1

Form: 8-0682

Last run: 34 days

W: 11st 9lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Much improved when runner-up (beaten roughly 2l) at Limerick last month; hard to know what to make of that form but the handicapper hasn't gone overboard with her opening mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

3

10th Jul 2023

Good To Yielding

1m 7f 110y

19:08 Roscommon

Hi Ski

11st 11lb

J: Tom Harney

T: Ross O’Sullivan

led, ridden and headed after 2 out, weakened run-in

14/1

Form: 47U837

Last run: 5 days

W: 11st 10lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Dual hurdle winner in 2021 but record now stands at 2-38; more than hinting at a return to form in recent starts including when beaten roughly 4l at Fairyhouse last week; should go well provided that the ground doesn't turn soft.
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

Form: 0F58

Last run: 56 days

W: 11st 5lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Shown very little in four maiden hurdle outings so far; might do better now handicapping but hard to make a case for.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

1

22nd Sep 2023

Yielding To Soft

3m 0f 0y

15:15 Listowel

Spring Street

12st 0lb

J: Danny Gilligan

T: J P Flavin

prominent, mistake and bumped rival 6th, disputed lead from 3 out, led narrowly when fell 2 out

9/2

1st

16

1st Sep 2023

Good

3m 0f 0y

19:05 Down Royal

Spring Street

11st 1lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: J P Flavin

Best run when second at Tramore (2m5f) on soft ground in April, not so good since on better ground, didn't seem to stay 3m latest.

16/1

6th

7

11th Aug 2023

Good To Yielding

3m 0f 0y

18:05 Wexford

Spring Street

11st 9lb

J: Danny Mullins

T: J P Flavin

Best run when second at Tramore on soft ground in April but was tailed-off there on good ground next time, both over 2m5f; tongue-tie needs to have an effect.

16/1

Form: -00670

Last run: 41 days

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
0-6 and well held in two handicap starts this term; others look stronger.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

16th

9

23rd Feb 2023

Good

2m 0f 70y

16:50 Thurles

Pharisees

11st 4lb

J: Miss C O O’Brien

T: Gavin Cromwell

Well-backed favourite but ran no race at Clonmel last week, was found to have sustained a slight over-reach; cheekpieces tried here; track form is not up to much but presumably is though to be a bit better than that; opposable though.

20/1

14th

2

16th Feb 2023

Yielding

2m 0f 0y

15:25 Clonmel

Pharisees

11st 12lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: Gavin Cromwell

Seven-race maiden who has weak-looking claims on overall form; hard to discount though with the stable in fine form.

10/1

7

5th Feb 2023

Good To Soft

2m 3f 171y

Class 4

16:25 Musselburgh

Pharisees

11st 7lb

J: Ben Harvey

T: Gavin Cromwell

Form: PS08

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Tailed off or has failed to complete in four runs so far; needs to leave that form behind now handicapping.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

7

12th Jun 2023

Good

2m 0f 46y

18:18 Roscommon

Planet Janet

11st 8lb

J: Aidan Kelly

T: Dermot A McLoughlin

16s, beaten 39l on handicap bow at Down Royal (soft) over Christmas; presumably put away for better ground but entitled to come on for this run.

16/1

13th

12

26th Dec 2022

Good To Yielding

2m 1f 0y

12:48 Down Royal

Planet Janet

11st 4lb

J: Conor Brassil

T: Dermot A McLoughlin

Tailed off or has failed to complete in four runs so far; needs to leave that form behind now handicapping.

25/1

8th

13

29th Nov 2022

Yielding

2m 0f 57y

13:25 Punchestown

Planet Janet

11st 12lb

J: P J O’Hanlon

T: Dermot A McLoughlin

Completed for the first time at Down Royal but beaten around 40l in tenth; no appeal at this stage.

66/1

Form: 9-0510

Last run: 52 days

W: 11st 13lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
Useful performer in his pomp on the Flat and gained a first hurdle win at Sligo on his penultimate outing; poor effort over 3m here latest but can't be ruled out back down in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

5

15th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 4f 0y

15:52 Fairyhouse

True Destiny

11st 6lb

J: Conor Stone-Walsh

T: Noel C Kelly

Dual-purpose vetera; six wins on Flat, is 2-28 over hurdles, both wins at Sligo (latest in June 2023); minor placed form last May/June at Downpatrick and Perth; in rear in both races in recent months.

14/1

17th

7

31st Oct 2025

Good To Yielding

3m 0f 30y

13:32 Down Royal

True Destiny

11st 7lb

J: Ms E Dunseath

T: Noel C Kelly

Both hurdle wins in 2m4f Sligo handicaps but on a long losing run, Naas fourth over this trip last season standout effort; lacks a recent run.

20/1

17th

7

31st Oct 2025

Good To Yielding

3m 0f 30y

13:32 Down Royal

True Destiny

11st 7lb

J: Ms E Dunseath

T: Noel C Kelly

Both hurdle wins in 2m4f Sligo handicaps but on a long losing run, Naas fourth over this trip last season standout effort; lacks a recent run.

20/1

Form: 0/0508

Last run: 7 days

W: 10st 13lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Tailed off in five starts so far including when 66-1 for handicap debut last week.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

5

18th Feb 2023

Soft

2m 0f 0y

14:17 Gowran Park

Jimlis Glory

11st 1lb

J: Conor McNamara

T: R K Watson

Poor form so far and out of his depth here.

500/1

27

12th Feb 2023

Yielding

2m 6f 100y

15:10 Navan

Jimlis Glory

10st 7lb

J: Miss P Elvin

T: R K Watson

in touch with leaders, blundered and unseated rider 1st

13th

15

30th Jan 2023

Soft

2m 4f 70y

15:42 Punchestown

Jimlis Glory

11st 3lb

J: Conor McNamara

T: R K Watson

prominent

25/1

33/1

Form: 9P08P5

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
15-race maiden; standout effort came over further and might want good ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

18th Apr 2026

Good

2m 7f 32y

Class 4

16:42 Bangor-on-Dee

Our Dylan

11st 12lb

J: Rian Corcoran

T: Kayley Woollacott

Veteran who has won three of his last five starts and was as good as ever when scoring on the step up to 3m at Wincanton (good) last month; up 4lb but he should have more to offer over staying trips and he's an interesting contender.

6/1

1st

2

23rd Mar 2026

Good

3m 0f 150y

Class 4

14:45 Wincanton

Our Dylan

11st 13lb

J: Mr Joshua Newman

T: Kayley Woollacott

In career-best form this season, winning here (2m4f, good) and at Taunton (2m3f, heavy); well beaten on latest outing, though, and remains on tough mark for first 3m attempt under rules.

16/1

9th

3

27th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 118y

Class 4

14:00 Newbury

Our Dylan

11st 13lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Kayley Woollacott

In-form 10yo who has won two of his last three; raised another 4lb since scoring under a good 7lb claimer at Taunton (2m3f, heavy) this month, though, and may find younger rivals better handicapped here.

7/1

Form: 0-4PP9

Last run: 43 days

W: 12st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Promising third in a maiden hurdle on debut when trained by Gordon Elliott but shown very little subsequently including yard debut latest; tongue-tie now tried on handicap debut and fair mark judged on his debut run but has questions to answer; market support worth noting; tongue-tie on.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12

1st Jul 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 3f 155y

16:50 Tipperary

Wrecking Ball Paul

11st 12lb

J: Ben Harvey

T: Paul Mulligan

Dual-purpose; 1-15 over hurdles and rated 99; not many positives to glean from two starts over fences; others preferred.

25/1

7

23rd May 2025

Good

2m 2f 185y

17:35 Downpatrick

Wrecking Ball Paul

11st 3lb

J: Ben Harvey

T: Paul Mulligan

Hasn't taken to fences the last twice but those were after some underwhelming runs on the Flat and over hurdles; bit to prove right now.

20/1

OUR TIP

Form: 80P0

Last run: 48 days

W: 10st 12lb

5 yo Mare

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
First reserve; shown very little in four maiden hurdles at huge prices so far.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14

13th Jul 2023

Yielding

2m 5f 170y

17:35 Downpatrick

Kanors Girl

10st 13lb

J: Patrick M O’Brien

T: Dermot A McLoughlin

Has been regressive in handicaps and well beaten at Limerick plus over C&D latest; others much more likely.

33/1

11th

10

17th Jun 2023

Good

2m 5f 60y

14:55 Downpatrick

Kanors Girl

11st 5lb

J: Mr J P Sutton

T: Dermot A McLoughlin

towards rear of midfield

12/1

6th

14

26th May 2023

Good

2m 3f 0y

18:15 Limerick

Kanors Girl

11st 2lb

J: P J O’Hanlon

T: Dermot A McLoughlin

midfield

25/1

Form: 70998P

Last run: 48 days

W: 10st 10lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Third reserve; three-time point winner but 0-8 under Rules and pulled up over fences last time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

7

25th May 2025

Good To Firm

2m 4f 189y

Class 4

16:33 Kelso

So Ladylike

10st 2lb

J: Miss Natasha Cookson

T: N W Alexander

Departed early here 18 days ago; has become hard to predict and would prefer further ideally; there's also the major hindrance of being 10lb out of the weights.

20/1

5th

7

25th May 2025

Good To Firm

2m 4f 189y

Class 4

16:33 Kelso

So Ladylike

10st 2lb

J: Miss Natasha Cookson

T: N W Alexander

Departed early here 18 days ago; has become hard to predict and would prefer further ideally; there's also the major hindrance of being 10lb out of the weights.

20/1

6

7th May 2025

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 5

14:25 Kelso

So Ladylike

10st 3lb

J: Miss Natasha Cookson

T: N W Alexander

Won a 2m7f handicap hurdle at Hexham off a pound lower last June (soft); mixed form since, but fair sixth in a mares' novice handicap here last time (2m5f, good; Our Girl Sal fifth).

10/1

Non-runners

Wrecking Ball Paul, Kanors Girl, So Ladylike

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €148.90
Straight Forecast €92.95
Tricast €2426.16
Trifecta €0.00

Selections

POSTDATA:

Fox Le Bel

RP Ratings (IRE):

Bellaney Gem

SPOTLIGHT:

True Destiny

The Irish Sun:

Fox Le Bel