December 26 / 12.25 Limerick

12.25

Soft

CJ Sheeran 3-Y-O Maiden Hurdle

  • Prize money: £6197.48
  • 2m 0f 0y
  • 14 runners
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CJ Sheeran 3-Y-O Maiden Hurdle

Runners: 14 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Rain

7/4 (Won)

  • Win: £3.60
  • Place: £1.30

Form: 05

Last run: 15 days

W: 11st 0lb

3 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won a fast-ground 1m6f handicap when trained in Britain; well beaten on hurdling debut for this yard but a much-improved effort when only 12l behind a highly-regarded type at Cork last time; can go closer with further progress.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15th

10

28th Dec 2023

Yielding

2m 4f 0y

12:40 Leopardstown

Ludus

11st 10lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Gordon Elliott

in touch with leaders

20/1

10th

6

12th Dec 2023

Soft To Heavy

2m 3f 56y

13:30 Punchestown

Ludus

11st 10lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Gordon Elliott

Won a heavy ground maiden hurdle at Limerick last Christmas; runner-up in a juvenile handicap here in January; mid-division but not disgraced in the Boodles at Cheltenham; tame effort on final start before a break but worth considering given the stable's form.

6/1

4th

10

30th Mar 2023

Soft

2m 0f 63y

15:07 Naas

Ludus

10st 4lb

J: Danny Gilligan

T: Gordon Elliott

Landed a heavy ground maiden hurdle at Limerick over Christmas; runner-up in a Punchestown juvenile handicap in January; mid-division but not disgraced in the Boodles at Cheltenham; has all the allowances here and another 7lb off on ground he appreciates; could go well.

14/1

20/1

  • Place: £1.10

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 0lb

3 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Wasn't disgraced in three Flat maiden starts, with best run coming on soft/heavy (1m1f) at the Curragh final occasion; will handle the ground and is of interest on hurdling debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

(13)

20th May 2026

Good

1m 5f 170y

19:50 Gowran Park

Paradise Lost

10st 0lb

J: Gavin Brouder

T: Charles O’Brien

Placed over hurdles on his two most recent outings; two undistinguished Flat runs last season; better judged on the form he showed near the end of the 2024 campaign, although seems best suited by soft ground.

12/1

3rd

4

14th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 3f 185y

17:12 Clonmel

Paradise Lost

11st 6lb

J: Gavin Brouder

T: Charles O’Brien

Flat winner; placed in three maiden hurdles early in his career; modest form overall in handicaps; Punchestown run in January was encouraging, not beaten far in fifth in a 16-runner event; fair third over 2m at Gowran last time, worth considering.

5/1

3rd

5

7th Mar 2026

Heavy

2m 0f 50y

15:08 Gowran Park

Paradise Lost

11st 7lb

J: Gavin Brouder

T: Charles O’Brien

Flat winner; placed in three maiden hurdles early in his career; modest form overall in handicaps; Punchestown run in January was encouraging, not beaten far in fifth in a 16-runner event.

6/1

100/1

  • Place: £19.70

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 0lb

3 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Beaten a long way on sole Flat start in 2021; not high on the list.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

15

15th May 2026

Good To Yielding

1m 7f 153y

17:20 Kilbeggan

Metamorpheus

11st 2lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Andrew McNamara

First reserve; Punchestown maiden hurdle winner broke his three-year winless streak when successful on the Flat at Sligo 12 days ago (1m3f, yielding to soft); not certain to back it up.

1st

8

(5)

3rd May 2026

Good

1m 2f 158y

16:32 Sligo

Metamorpheus

9st 7lb

J: Jamie Orr

T: Andrew McNamara

No success since a Punchestown maiden hurdle win (2m, heavy) three years ago; Downpatrick third in March was more encouraging but of limited appeal back on the Flat here.

16/1

Form:

Last run: 15 days

W: 10st 7lb

3 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won a fast-ground maiden handicap over 1m2f in Britain; well beaten on hurdling debut for this yard and has to improve plenty.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

(4)

14th Jun 2023

Good To Firm

1m 3f 110y

17:30 Limerick

Danza Della Luna

9st 6lb

J: Sean D Bowen

T: Denis Gerard Hogan

Won over 1m2f on quick ground at Pontefract last season; modest Irish hurdles form; did not seem to stay 1m5f at Leopardstown last week on first Flat run for Denis Hogan.

5/1

13th

10

(9)

8th Jun 2023

Good To Firm

1m 4f 180y

20:00 Leopardstown

Danza Della Luna

9st 0lb

J: Kyle McHugh

T: Denis Gerard Hogan

Won over 1m2f on quick ground at Pontefract last season; modest Irish hurdles form on six starts for Denis Hogan; others preferred

20/1

3rd

8

12th Mar 2023

Soft

2m 0f 50y

13:40 Limerick

Danza Della Luna

10st 7lb

J: Shane Mulcahy

T: Denis Gerard Hogan

midfield, soon went remote fourth, left in remote third 3 out, pushed along and kept on from last, never dangerous

10/1

11/2

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 0lb

3 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Got off the mark on the Flat for Richard Hannon when winning a 1m3f Windsor handicap in October; sold for 25,000gns since and makes hurdling debut for a shrewd local yard, so market will be a guide; however, is unraced on soft.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

15th Oct 2024

Good

2m 2f 94y

15:20 Punchestown

Byker

11st 2lb

J: Philip Byrnes

T: C Byrnes

Good novice hurdler who went down narrowly in the Boodles at Cheltenham in 2023; subsequent form was disappointing however, last seen when well held on the Flat in the Spring; good bit to find on ratings here.

10/1

Form: P7

Last run: 5 days

W: 10st 7lb

3 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Modest Flat maiden made some ground from the rear in a Fairyhouse maiden hurdle five days ago but a lot more still needed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

12

30th Oct 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

15:30 Thurles

Bayou Belle

10st 0lb

J: Aidan Kelly

T: Jarlath P Fahey

Longstanding maiden has been placed plenty of times; pulled-up in first-time cheekpieces at Listowel last time and not easy to fancy from 1lb out of the handicap.

25/1

10th

12

30th Oct 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

15:30 Thurles

Bayou Belle

10st 0lb

J: Aidan Kelly

T: Jarlath P Fahey

Longstanding maiden has been placed plenty of times; pulled-up in first-time cheekpieces at Listowel last time and not easy to fancy from 1lb out of the handicap.

25/1

8

26th Sep 2025

Yielding

2m 6f 0y

15:43 Listowel

Bayou Belle

11st 8lb

J: Peter Smithers

T: Jarlath P Fahey

Long standing maiden has run plenty of good races in defeat, including a 2.25l third of 14 off this mark at Ballinrobe (22.5f, good) latest; place chance again in new headgear combination.

11/1

Form:

Last run: 15 days

W: 11st 0lb

3 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Modest maiden under all codes was beaten a long way on hurdling debut for this yard.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

8

30th Aug 2023

Good To Yielding

2m 1f 37y

18:40 Bellewstown

Chequer Square

11st 6lb

J: Phillip Enright

T: Paul John Gilligan

in touch with leaders early, midfield halfway, weakened quickly before 3 out, pulled up 2 out

33/1

12th

5

14th Aug 2023

Yielding

2m 0f 143y

18:50 Ballinrobe

Chequer Square

11st 7lb

J: Danny Gilligan

T: Paul John Gilligan

Placed on the Flat but a maiden under both codes and hasn't offered much at all in handicaps.

25/1

5th

3

9th Jul 2023

Good

2m 0f 194y

14:00 Sligo

Chequer Square

10st 13lb

J: Jack G Gilligan

T: Paul John Gilligan

prominent in chasing group, not fluent 5th, pushed along and lost fourth after 2 out, soon no extra

33/1

OUR TIP

Form: 9

Last run: 15 days

W: 11st 0lb

3 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Well-bred ex-Ballydoyle inmate; Flat maiden but was placed in a Group 3 on the level; was beaten 23l on hurdling debut at Cork (4-1) recently but more was expected, so a better showing is likely today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

22nd Jul 2025

Yielding

2m 1f 89y

17:42 Ballinrobe

Realism

11st 11lb

J: Mark Walsh

T: E Bolger

Ex-Joseph O'Brien; Group 3-placed third (of six) behind Luxembourg in 2022 Royal Whip; placed once from nine starts over hurdles; potentially interesting on first run for Enda Bolger.

9/2

2

(5)

15th Nov 2024

Standard

1m 2f 150y

19:15 Dundalk (AW)

Realism

9st 11lb

J: Declan McDonogh

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Dual-purpose maiden was third at Killarney over 1m3f on heavy before a respectable hurdle run at Cork; the blinkers worn then are replaced by cheekpieces today; has been disappointing overall but should have a big chance if showing his form on this surface.

2/1

6th

2

(5)

15th Nov 2024

Standard

1m 2f 150y

19:15 Dundalk (AW)

Realism

9st 11lb

J: Declan McDonogh

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

pressed leader, led after 2f

2/1

Form: 50

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 0lb

3 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
His form regressed from first start to second and handicaps beckon down the line.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

5

25th Apr 2024

Yielding To Soft

3m 0f 0y

17:15 Wexford

Scarbrook

10st 11lb

J: Jordan Gainford

T: Paul Nolan

Not far behind Zarak The Brave in a juvenile maiden hurdle last season; failed to improve on that; returned from a year off to win at Thurles on first start for this stable; pulled a shoe and finished lame when favourite at Cork five weeks ago; every chance if fully recovered; trainer also runs Tranquil Sea.

11/2

6th

5

25th Apr 2024

Yielding To Soft

3m 0f 0y

17:15 Wexford

Scarbrook

10st 11lb

J: Jordan Gainford

T: Paul Nolan

Not far behind Zarak The Brave in a juvenile maiden hurdle last season; failed to improve on that; returned from a year off to win at Thurles on first start for this stable; pulled a shoe and finished lame when favourite at Cork five weeks ago; every chance if fully recovered; trainer also runs Tranquil Sea.

11/2

2

21st Mar 2024

Soft To Heavy

3m 0f 70y

17:08 Cork

Scarbrook

12st 1lb

J: Mr Paddy Barlow

T: Paul Nolan

midfield on inner, in touch with leaders after 3rd, weakened and pulled up before 3 out

3/1

Form: 00

Last run: 15 days

W: 11st 0lb

3 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Poor on the Flat and not much better in two hurdle starts; passed over.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

11

(10)

3rd May 2026

Good

1m 5f 190y

15:22 Sligo

Cornmarket

9st 3lb

J: Adam Browne-Souza

T: John J Cullen

Mayo contender was a revelation for his new trainer last year; won three hurdles on decent ground here, latest over 3m1f; showed nothing in Flat maidens as a youngster, but he's a different model nowadays and could be very well in; has won off similar layoff.

4/1

1st

7

24th Oct 2025

Good To Yielding

3m 1f 80y

17:30 Sligo

Cornmarket

11st 0lb

J: Alan King

T: John J Cullen

Speedily-bred but won back-to-back 2m4f handicap hurdles at this track early in the summer; found out by a higher mark since but ran well on chasing debut last time, both here; this trip is a question.

13/2

3

1st Oct 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 5f 27y

16:10 Sligo

Cornmarket

11st 9lb

J: Alan King

T: John J Cullen

Last three runs here; won consecutive handicap hurdles over 2m4f before a solid fourth over a similar trip; has a shout if jumping soundly on chasing debut.

6/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 10st 7lb

3 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Best of three Flat starts for Willie McCreery came when fifth in a soft-ground Galway 1m4f maiden; could run well for respected yard.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

10

28th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 200y

18:50 Limerick

Chemdawg

10st 1lb

J: Phillip Enright

T: Oliver McKiernan

In good form; runner up here over 21.5f (soft); breakthrough win on latest at Kilbeggan (2m3f, gd-yld), making all to score decisively by 8l; raised 8lb but should make another bold bid; big player.

6/4

1st

15

24th Apr 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 3f 50y

17:56 Kilbeggan

Chemdawg

10st 5lb

J: Phillip Enright

T: Oliver McKiernan

Couple of placed efforts in November-December before going with no enthusiasm and being pulled up at Clonmel and Down Royal in opening 2026 runs; back on track with a 6l second at Limerick last time (2m6f, soft); needs to back it up and this is harder.

7/1

2nd

16

31st Mar 2026

Soft To Heavy

2m 5f 70y

17:42 Limerick

Chemdawg

10st 0lb

J: Phillip Enright

T: Oliver McKiernan

Couple of placed efforts in November-December but hasn't gone with any enthusiasm the last twice, pulling up at Clonmel and Down Royal; needs to get back on track; 1lb wrong.

33/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 0lb

3 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won two sellers in UK when trained by Karl Burke and sold for 25,000gns since; is unraced on ground this soft and will probably improve from this run.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15th

2

(8)

6th Apr 2023

Heavy

1m 6f 70y

16:15 Bellewstown

Kanzino

10st 1lb

J: J M Sheridan

T: Denis Gerard Hogan

Won a couple of sellers for Karl Burke last year but didn't count in Dundalk claimer recently; probably plenty high enough in the handicap at the moment.

25/1

6th

1

(10)

16th Mar 2023

Standard

1m 2f 150y

17:15 Dundalk (AW)

Kanzino

10st 2lb

J: J M Sheridan

T: Denis Gerard Hogan

midfield

7/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 10st 7lb

3 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Showed no ability in two Flat starts and a transformation is needed going over hurdles.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

9

11th Jan 2024

Heavy

2m 0f 116y

15:20 Clonmel

Aegirine

11st 3lb

J: Michael O’Sullivan

T: Eugene M O’Sullivan

held up in rear, outpaced and lost touch after 3 out, eased and pulled up before 2 out

16/1

9

21st Nov 2023

Heavy

2m 3f 0y

12:25 Limerick

Aegirine

11st 5lb

J: Diarmuid Moloney

T: Eugene M O’Sullivan

An 84-rated filly; well exposed at this stage and hard to fancy in a maiden despite fair recent handicap form.

20/1

5th

14

11th Nov 2023

Heavy

2m 4f 0y

15:37 Gowran Park

Aegirine

11st 3lb

J: Michael O’Sullivan

T: Eugene M O’Sullivan

12-race maiden; only 14l off the winner when fourth in her latest handicap at Limerick (2m5f, heavy); each-way claims with a repeat.

7/1

Form: 48

Last run: 23 days

W: 10st 7lb

3 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Showed little sign of ability in two Flat starts but was fourth in a Punchestown 3yo hurdle on debut in this sphere; was below that level in an Aintree Listed Hurdle since; could play a part if resuming progress; unraced on soft.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

3

(9)

4th Jul 2024

Good

1m 6f 109y

19:45 Bellewstown

Dubai Clover

9st 7lb

J: James Ryan

T: Ian Patrick Donoghue

Maiden under both codes but has been in the frame a few times; soundly beaten over hurdles and on the Flat the last twice and has to find more with a tongue-tie added.

12/1

Non-runners

Dubai Clover

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €4.10
Straight Forecast €16.28
Trifecta €472.30

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Ludus

The Irish Sun:

Realism

POSTDATA:

Ludus