January 25 / 15.53 Fairyhouse

15.53

Soft To Heavy

Jump Into January @ fairyhouse Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £5221.24
  • 2m 3f 110y
  • 19 runners
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Jump Into January @ fairyhouse Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 19 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

Form: /0430- D

Last run: 293 days

W: 11st 5lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Best form has been going left-handed at Navan, where she won and finished second the season before last and was a decent fourth last February; lacks a recent outing but worth considering.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

8

23rd Nov 2023

Yielding

2m 4f 138y

14:30 Thurles

Dragon’s Pass

11st 8lb

J: Sam Ewing

T: Mrs Denise Foster

Career best over C&D earlier in the month and while all three wins have come on testing ground, she handles quicker conditions; possibly vulnerable to better treated sorts now though.

6/1

1st

13

2nd Nov 2023

Soft

2m 4f 106y

15:15 Thurles

Dragon’s Pass

10st 1lb

J: Sam Ewing

T: Mrs Denise Foster

Trip and ground will suit and narrowly beaten at Sligo when last seen in August but up in grade a fair bit.

12/1

2nd

7

23rd Aug 2023

Good

2m 4f 141y

18:40 Sligo

Dragon’s Pass

11st 6lb

J: Kieren Buckley

T: Mrs Denise Foster

towards rear but in touch with leaders, not fluent 2nd, headway before 2 out, keeping on when ridden after last, went second and ran on well towards finish, just failed

7/1

16/1 (Won)

Form: -9007B

Last run: 8 days

W: 11st 3lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Big price at Clonmel when brought down at the third; others have much stronger claims, though she is a relatively young mare who may improve in time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

28th Nov 2023

Soft

2m 5f 100y

15:00 Tramore

Pana To Milan

11st 7lb

J: Liam McKenna

T: Michael Winters

Dead-heated in a 2m3f handicap hurdle at Fairyhouse in January; has struggled in three starts since returning from her summer break; has been pulled up on her only two starts over fences, both in handicaps at Clonmel.

25/1

10th

8

26th Oct 2023

Heavy

2m 0f 125y

15:45 Clonmel

Pana To Milan

11st 8lb

J: Mr L Burke-Ott

T: Michael Winters

didn't always jump with fluency, in rear early, towards rear of midfield when not fluent 3 out

25/1

9th

7

12th Oct 2023

Soft

2m 0f 0y

14:35 Tramore

Pana To Milan

11st 9lb

J: Shane Fitzgerald

T: Michael Winters

Was poor over fences on last two starts but has a chance on her earlier hurdles form, which includes a win on heavy ground at Fairyhouse in January; chance.

8/1

Form: 00-591

Last run: 36 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Completely out of his depth over fences at this venue in November; a different proposition when a well-backed winner of a 25-runner handicap hurdle at Naas just before Christmas; definite chance of following up despite a 10lb rise in the ratings.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

5

4th Nov 2023

Soft

1m 7f 152y

Class 2

15:15 Ascot

Carbon King

11st 2lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Evan Williams

Rapid ascent in the Irish handicap last season, winning three times for Declan Queally; well beaten on final start there, however, and bought for £28,000 in May before also well beaten at Ffos Las (40-1; ridden prominently) three weeks ago for new yard; could be all the better with that outing behind him and, with his Irish wins all on soft or heavy, he's not dismissed.

25/1

8th

6

15th Oct 2023

Soft

1m 7f 182y

Class 2

15:20 Ffos Las

Carbon King

11st 2lb

J: Isabel Williams

T: Evan Williams

Rapid ascent up the Irish handicap last season, winning three times for Declan Queally; well beaten on final start in April; bought for £28,000 in May and would need to have maintained his progress to take this on stable debut off new mark.

14/1

Form: /02/0/

Last run: 684 days

W: 10st 13lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
One good run in 2019, finishing second in a 2m handicap at this venue; only one run since then, struggled in a 2m4f contest at Gowran in March 2021; new stable and headgear combination now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

15

2nd Dec 2023

Soft

2m 3f 165y

15:10 Fairyhouse

Mighty Jeremy

10st 8lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Liam G O’Brien

Won back-to-back handicap hurdles last season and was only beaten roughly 1l in hat-trick bid at the end of the campaign; may have needed his return a fortnight ago but needs career best to defy this mark.

16/1

14

18th Nov 2023

Soft To Heavy

2m 4f 0y

12:20 Navan

Mighty Jeremy

11st 4lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Liam G O’Brien

Thwarted in hat-trick bid last time but was only caught in the closing stages, beaten 1l; won his two previous starts over this trip on testing ground so warrants respect, despite 197-day lay-off.

13/2

2nd

1

5th May 2023

Good To Yielding

2m 5f 180y

17:40 Downpatrick

Mighty Jeremy

12st 0lb

J: Ian Power

T: Liam G O’Brien

prominent, clear with one other 2nd, led halfway, soon clear, much reduced lead 2 out, ridden and 4 lengths ahead after last, kept on but headed towards finish

5/1

Form: 040

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 11lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Limerick fourth on her second start was mildly encouraging; may find her level now that she is switched to handicaps and raised in trip after three 2m starts; trainer's Elzoom is guaranteed a run.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

10

9th Apr 2023

Yielding

3m 0f 80y

16:40 Cork

Elsannah

11st 0lb

J: Ian Power

T: Shane Crawley

prominent in chasing group

12/1

1st

5

30th Mar 2023

Soft

2m 7f 130y

16:52 Naas

Elsannah

11st 10lb

J: Ian Power

T: Shane Crawley

midfield, headway before 4 out, joined leader going okay when not fluent 2 out, soon pushed along to lead, went clear approaching last, ridden out

7/1

5th

4

12th Mar 2023

Soft

2m 6f 0y

14:50 Limerick

Elsannah

11st 11lb

J: Ian Power

T: Shane Crawley

midfield

20/1

12/1

Form: 42FP04

Last run: 64 days

W: 11st 0lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Has failed to build on a Galway second obtained last September; fair fourth over a longer trip at Limerick last time; rider's 5lb claim is a significant asset.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

20th Apr 2023

Yielding

2m 7f 70y

18:20 Kilbeggan

Getaclan

10st 0lb

J: Sean O’Keeffe

T: D McNamara

in touch with leaders

33/1

15th

19

30th Mar 2023

Soft

2m 7f 130y

16:52 Naas

Getaclan

10st 13lb

J: Michael O’Sullivan

T: D McNamara

18-race maiden and finished a long way behind the re-opposing Tangental last time out.

20/1

8th

10

2nd Mar 2023

Soft

3m 0f 0y

16:55 Clonmel

Getaclan

10st 13lb

J: Ben Harvey

T: D McNamara

Two fair efforts last twice in handicap hurdles at Limerick and Fairyhouse; each-way claims if she can repeat that over a trip she seems to stay.

8/1

Form: 707-

Last run: 598 days

W: 11st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Weak form in maidens, transformation needed on handicap debut after a long layoff; trainer appears to have a better chance with Robindevidastar.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12

23rd Mar 2023

Soft

2m 4f 0y

16:25 Cork

Fairly Bold

11st 2lb

J: Mr T P Harney

T: P J Rothwell

Not much to show for three maiden runs but put up a better effort at Navan last time on second h'cap start; more needed but not one to dismiss; watch market.

14/1

16

6th Mar 2023

Yielding

3m 0f 0y

15:25 Leopardstown

Fairly Bold

10st 5lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: P J Rothwell

Off the track for 19 months before running respectably at Fairyhouse in January before midfield behind Wa Wa at Navan; plenty to find off same mark.

20/1

10th

23

12th Feb 2023

Yielding

2m 6f 100y

15:10 Navan

Fairly Bold

10st 12lb

J: Simon Torrens

T: P J Rothwell

Off the track for 19 months before running respectably in a 2m3f handicap hurdle at Fairyhouse last month; would have been a lot closer that day with a clearer run and better jumping at the business end; could well have an impact here even if he has 21L to find on Dragon's Pass.

20/1

Form: 974-60

Last run: 121 days

W: 11st 7lb

9 yo Mare

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Last two runs were in maidens; should at least be more at home back in handicap company for the fist time in more than a year; has changed stable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

7

30th Mar 2023

Soft

2m 0f 0y

14:50 Limerick

Truckers Angel

10st 4lb

J: John Shinnick

T: Terence O’Brien

midfield, didn't jump with fluency, nudged along towards rear after 4th, kept on approaching last, never on terms

8/1

7th

8

18th Mar 2023

Soft

2m 4f 118y

15:05 Thurles

Truckers Angel

10st 12lb

J: John Shinnick

T: Terence O’Brien

midfield throughout, pushed along after 2 out, no extra approaching last

11/2

Form: -4F114 D

Last run: 48 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Much improved for the fitting of a hood over fences, winning at Limerick and Naas; fourth of five finishers on latest, but was running off 104 then after aggregate 16lb rise; competes off 88 now and may exploit this opportunity.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

21st Nov 2023

Heavy

2m 5f 0y

14:45 Limerick

Happy Dreams

11st 11lb

J: Sam Ewing

T: Michael J McDonagh

didn't always jump with fluency, midfield, headway after 3 out, went second before 2 out, no extra before last, no match for winner

6/1

3rd

6

29th Sep 2023

Soft

2m 4f 70y

17:00 Gowran Park

Happy Dreams

11st 4lb

J: Sean O’Keeffe

T: Michael J McDonagh

towards rear, not fluent when jumped slightly right 5th, headway after 4 out, went fourth when ridden after 2 out, soon outpaced, steadied when not fluent last, went modest third run-in

7/1

11

10th Apr 2023

Soft

3m 0f 130y

17:40 Fairyhouse

Happy Dreams

10st 3lb

J: Sean O’Keeffe

T: Michael J McDonagh

Getting high in the weights after another 5lb rise for his narrow success at Limerick (2m3f, soft) but he's right in the groove and will be fine returning to 3m; chance.

6/1

Form: 00-0U9

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Major improvement needed from mid-field run over 2m here last month; only a five-year-old, so at least he has time on his side.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

2

25th Jan 2023

Soft To Heavy

2m 3f 110y

15:53 Fairyhouse

Elzoom

11st 10lb

J: Sean O’Keeffe

T: Shane Crawley

Major improvement needed from mid-field run over 2m here last month; only a five-year-old, so at least he has time on his side.

20/1

9th

15

21st Dec 2022

Yielding

2m 0f 0y

13:37 Fairyhouse

Elzoom

10st 11lb

J: Sean O’Keeffe

T: Shane Crawley

Fair mid-field run at this venue on second maiden start last year; well beaten on first two handicap starts at Navan; big price when unseated at sixth at Limerick last time.

25/1

Form: 0000

Last run: 17 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Hard to make a case for her on the evidence of four maiden hurdle outings since November.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

14

12th Oct 2023

Soft

2m 0f 0y

14:35 Tramore

Catrionas Darling

10st 13lb

J: J J Slevin

T: James Daniel Dullea

Well beaten on all starts and can't be seriously fancied.

66/1

6th

8

3rd Oct 2023

Soft To Heavy

2m 2f 110y

16:10 Galway

Catrionas Darling

11st 5lb

J: Phillip Enright

T: James Daniel Dullea

Showed precious little in seven runs over hurdles and she's very opposable on this switch to fences.

100/1

13

16th Apr 2023

Soft

2m 4f 70y

15:25 Tramore

Catrionas Darling

11st 0lb

J: Phillip Enright

T: James Daniel Dullea

Shown nothing so far including in handicaps on her last two runs; pulled up a long way out last week.

40/1

Form: 0/0-0F

Last run: 8 days

W: 10st 13lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Poor form and is easily opposed; probably prefers better ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

15

16th Apr 2023

Soft

2m 4f 70y

15:25 Tramore

Rathnaleen Glory

10st 13lb

J: G B Noonan

T: Eoin Christopher McCarthy

10-race maiden; fell on her penultimate start and tailed off on her first try at an intermediate trip last time out; new yard.

33/1

12th

16

25th Jan 2023

Soft To Heavy

2m 3f 110y

15:53 Fairyhouse

Rathnaleen Glory

10st 13lb

J: Philip Donovan

T: Philip M Byrne

Poor form and is easily opposed; probably prefers better ground.

25/1

16

17th Jan 2023

Heavy

2m 0f 164y

14:20 Clonmel

Rathnaleen Glory

10st 13lb

J: Philip Donovan

T: Philip M Byrne

prominent, disputing second when fell 3rd

33/1

Form: 7-6620

Last run: 45 days

W: 11st 5lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Punchestown winner off a lowly 85 last season; not far off his best form again when 8l second here in November; made a bad error three out at Cork last time; capable of making his presence felt.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

10

28th Nov 2023

Soft

2m 5f 0y

14:00 Tramore

Robindevidastar

11st 3lb

J: P J O’Hanlon

T: P J Rothwell

Won a 2m6f handicap at Downpatrick in August, inconsistent sort with 2-22 record; needs to rebound form a poor Fairyhouse run

12/1

Form: 0-7508

Last run: 60 days

W: 11st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Maiden form does not inspire confidence; may improve with cheekpieces fitted for handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

6

30th Nov 2023

Good To Soft

2m 3f 110y

Class 5

13:10 Lingfield

Leading The Way

11st 8lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Georgie Howell

hampered 4th

16/1

11th

14

11th May 2023

Soft

2m 3f 25y

18:48 Clonmel

Leading The Way

11st 2lb

J: Daniel King

T: Gillian Scott

Best run came when third at Cork over 2m4f after racing too keenly; never landed a blow down in trip when favourite at Tipperary (lost shoe) and plenty to find with Rathnaleen Kal and Go Gill Go on that run.

10/1

5th

16

18th Apr 2023

Soft

2m 0f 0y

15:15 Tipperary

Leading The Way

11st 2lb

J: Daniel King

T: Gillian Scott

Best run came when third at Cork last time over 2m4f after racing too keenly; this trip can suit better and looks to be a major player.

9/2

Form: 7-0427 BF

Last run: 60 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Unplaced favourite over 2m4f at Gowran in November; encouraging second over the same trip at this venue previously, though beaten 8l; needs to settle better than at Gowran; place chance if doing so.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

17th Nov 2023

Heavy

2m 4f 0y

15:10 Wexford

Banada Bridge

11st 8lb

J: Jordan Gainford

T: Mrs Denise Foster

17-race maiden but some solid placed form in handicaps this term at 2m, including here in September; can be keen and no certainty to stay this longer trip in these conditions.

4/1

5th

4

7th Oct 2023

Soft

2m 0f 0y

16:50 Fairyhouse

Banada Bridge

11st 9lb

J: Conor Smithers

T: Mrs Denise Foster

16-race maiden but not beaten far in last three races; placed at Wexford and Navan last month and now holds good prospects of reversing Monday's form with Sayitfirst, with Conor Smithers taking 4lb off and Sayitfirst's rider unable to claim.

5/2

2nd

5

2nd Oct 2023

Soft

2m 0f 0y

15:20 Fairyhouse

Banada Bridge

10st 13lb

J: Jordan Gainford

T: Mrs Denise Foster

took keen hold, soon led, faced challenge 2 out, ridden when headed approaching last, rallied against far rail run-in, just held

3/1

OUR TIP

Form: 00P00

Last run: 57 days

W: 11st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Point winner at Tipperary the season before last; off for over a year after that; poor form in maiden hurdles; 50-1 when in rear in first handicap at Punchestown; cheekpieces on now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

10

10th Nov 2023

Soft

3m 0f 30y

12:52 Down Royal

Reserve Judgement

11st 4lb

J: Ben Harvey

T: John C McConnell

prominent, pressed leader after 4th, led before 3 out, 1 length ahead when fell 3 out

12/1

Form: 000-77

Last run: 48 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Fair handicap debut over 2m7f at this venue in November; not as effective over 2m3f at Clonmel six weeks ago; needs to find plenty.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

25th Jan 2023

Soft To Heavy

2m 3f 110y

15:53 Fairyhouse

Son Of Tully

11st 5lb

J: Mr D G Lavery

T: Patrick Eugene Turley

Fair handicap debut over 2m7f at this venue in November; not as effective over 2m3f at Clonmel six weeks ago; needs to find plenty.

14/1

7th

10

8th Dec 2022

Soft

2m 3f 14y

14:15 Clonmel

Son Of Tully

11st 6lb

J: Liam McKenna

T: Patrick Eugene Turley

Best effort in five hurdle starts came on handicap/seasonal debut at Fairyhouse last time; can improve enough from that to be a player; non-runner (reserve) at Tramore Tuesday.

6/1

Form: 040

Last run: 36 days

W: 11st 6lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Tailed off in three maiden hurdle outings; her chance is not obvious; first reserve.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

1

15th Sep 2023

Yielding

2m 7f 0y

17:25 Ballinrobe

Ballygriffin Girl

11st 7lb

J: Conor Brassil

T: Eoin Doyle

Poor maiden over hurdles and can't be seriously fancied in this company.

100/1

11th

12

26th Aug 2023

Good

2m 4f 50y

15:05 Killarney

Ballygriffin Girl

10st 13lb

J: Shane O’Callaghan

T: Eoin Doyle

Limited maiden has been soundly beaten in handicaps of late; hard to fancy.

25/1

Form: 35-337

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 5lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Frustrating sort, remains a maiden after 22 starts, placed seven times; not a lost cause but hard to recommend as a betting proposition; beaten favourite on many occasions, including two of his last three starts, third reserve.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

7

16th Nov 2023

Soft

3m 0f 157y

12:20 Punchestown

Fox Le Bel

11st 0lb

J: Aidan Kelly

T: Liz Doyle

prominent, soon went second, outpaced and lost position before 3 out, kept on and went modest fourth approaching last

9/2

3rd

3

7th Nov 2023

Heavy

3m 0f 107y

13:03 Fairyhouse

Fox Le Bel

11st 8lb

J: Aidan Kelly

T: Liz Doyle

Frustrating sort, has often looked like a possible future winner; placed in ten of his 26 races, including for this rider on his final three starts last season; unseated at first in a point-to-point at Tinahely last month; risky proposition but would not be a surprise winner all the same.

15/8

3rd

7

17th Apr 2023

Soft

2m 5f 150y

18:45 Tramore

Fox Le Bel

11st 7lb

J: Aidan Kelly

T: Liz Doyle

Frustrating sort remains a maiden after 25 starts but his best recent run was when second to Aodhan May over 3m1f at Wexford last time; only got caught close home after going clear then and this shorter trip will suit better; shortlisted.

17/2

Non-runners

Son Of Tully, Ballygriffin Girl, Fox Le Bel

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Happy Dreams

The Irish Sun:

Carbon King

RP Ratings (IRE):

Happy Dreams

POSTDATA:

Happy Dreams