February 23 / 15.05 Thurles

15.05

Good

www.thurlesraces.ie Handicap Chase

  • Prize money: £8353.98
  • 2m 0f 149y
  • 9 runners
RTV
View Course
www.thurlesraces.ie Handicap Chase

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

9/4 (Won)

  • Win: £3.10
  • Place: £1.40

Form: 442312 D

Last run: 26 days

W: 10st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
Consistent in his grade and has shown a nice bit of improvement of late, winning at Clonmel and second to a progressive type at Fairyhouse; up a further 3lb but big shout and has run well here before.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

23

28th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 3f 81y

15:05 Punchestown

Union Park

10st 0lb

J: Shane O’Callaghan

T: P J Rothwell

Three-time chase winner is 2-29 over hurdles; rated 13lb lower over timber but recent form in both codes has been disappointing and a major revival is needed.

66/1

13th

12

10th Apr 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 3f 100y

18:38 Wexford

Union Park

10st 4lb

J: Tiernan Power Roche

T: P J Rothwell

Better chaser than hurdler, although hasn't won since taking 2m4f Cork handicap hurdle in November 2023; safely held over hurdles of late, of limited appeal back chasing.

25/1

6th

9

29th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 6f 126y

16:25 Thurles

Union Park

11st 2lb

J: Tiernan Power Roche

T: P J Rothwell

Good chase record around here; five wins in career; last win was in November 2023 off 3lb lower; fourth in competitive Punchestown handicap hurdle in November; this is easier; chance.

12/1

OUR TIP

8/1

  • Place: £1.80

Form: 654657 CD

Last run: 19 days

W: 11st 10lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 128

Form & Verdict
Six-time winner over fences, including this race last year (off 115) and subsequently at Punchestown; has looked held by the handicapper since October return, although not beaten far on occasions; handicapper quite slow to relent but can't be ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

6

22nd Feb 2024

Soft

2m 0f 158y

13:53 Thurles

Espion Du Chenet

10st 5lb

J: Ryan Treacy

T: Louise G Lyons

Six-time chase winner but struggling when last seen, tailed off in each of his last three starts; bounce back required and off 153 days.

25/1

9th

11

22nd Sep 2023

Yielding To Soft

2m 1f 0y

16:25 Listowel

Espion Du Chenet

10st 5lb

J: Ryan Treacy

T: Louise G Lyons

Has done a lot of racing since his last win, two most recent runs provide no encouragement; tailed off in Kilbeggan race in which Irish Blaze was third two week ago.

25/1

10/1

  • Place: £2.00

Form: 529F44 D

Last run: 64 days

W: 11st 1lb

9 yo Mare

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Mare a bold front-runner when right but finding it tough this season and yard 0-7 since returning in September, folding quite tamely last twice; return to better ground may suit but not one to be wholly confident in.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

11th Mar 2023

Yielding

2m 0f 0y

15:45 Gowran Park

Kitty Galore

10st 3lb

J: Shane O’Callaghan

T: John Patrick Ryan

Had been consistent enough this season but pulled too hard over 2m5f at Leopardstown last week; has a squeak down in trip on some of her earlier efforts but yard form is quiet.

18/1

4th

9

5th Mar 2023

Yielding

2m 5f 97y

16:55 Leopardstown

Kitty Galore

10st 3lb

J: Kieran Callaghan

T: John Patrick Ryan

Four-time winner and normally runs her race; decent third at Thurles last month; more needed but not one to discount.

14/1

3rd

4

23rd Feb 2023

Good

2m 0f 149y

15:05 Thurles

Kitty Galore

11st 1lb

J: Liam Quinlan

T: John Patrick Ryan

led, not fluent 2nd, headed but pressed leader from 3rd

10/1

Form: 702P47 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 10st 0lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
Seven career wins under all codes, including Flat handicap here in October; faded tamely however over C&D earlier this month after usual front-running tactics employed; 3lb wrong here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

10

29th May 2026

Good

1m 7f 110y

17:55 Tramore

Itsalonglongroad

10st 6lb

J: P J O’Hanlon

T: David O’Sullivan

Veteran; five-time chase winner including three over C&D; last won here last August off 99 and 3lb lower now; recent efforts have been underwhelming, however, and blinkers are reached for.

18/1

6th

10

(14)

3rd May 2026

Good

1m 5f 190y

15:22 Sligo

Itsalonglongroad

9st 4lb

J: Shay Wallace

T: David O’Sullivan

Old boy has won 12 races in all under both codes, mostly from the front; C&D winner in 2024 and was placed over 1m4f last year, but he's pushing on now and tailed off over fences last time.

20/1

10th

1

19th Apr 2026

Soft

1m 7f 110y

17:30 Tramore

Itsalonglongroad

12st 0lb

J: Shane O’Callaghan

T: David O’Sullivan

Veteran pulled up on first start for this yard at Clonmel in December but has a fine record here (four wins, three over fences) and is just 1lb higher than when winning over C&D last August; ground versatile and can't discount.

14/1

Form: 2211F4 C

Last run: 38 days

W: 11st 0lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
In fine form this season, bolting up in Limerick handicap hurdle before following up in 2m2f handicap chase here off 107; heavy ground possibly not ideal the last twice but respected here back on better ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

27th Apr 2023

Yielding To Soft

2m 0f 0y

16:15 Punchestown

Brandy Harbour

10st 5lb

J: Diarmuid Moloney

T: Mrs Grainne M O’Connor

Had a fine first half of the season and after some wobbles he got back on track with a clear-cut victory at Cork (2m, yielding), albeit in an eventful race; 12lb rise spells danger in this warmer company.

10/1

1st

5

10th Apr 2023

Yielding

2m 0f 160y

15:00 Cork

Brandy Harbour

10st 8lb

J: Diarmuid Moloney

T: Mrs Grainne M O’Connor

Looks held on Gowran effort by Minx Tiara; evidence suggests he is too high in handicap at end of fine season.

20/1

9

11th Mar 2023

Yielding

2m 0f 0y

15:45 Gowran Park

Brandy Harbour

10st 7lb

J: Diarmuid Moloney

T: Mrs Grainne M O’Connor

Showed improved form earlier this season but that seems to have come to a halt lately and has 27l to make up on Union Park from their Thurles clash last time.

16/1

Form: P4U840 D

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 11lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 129

Form & Verdict
Four-time winner for Nicky Henderson; was running a fair race when unseating in the Munster National but well beaten since, none too fluent in valuable Leopardstown Handicap Chase latest; declining mark but remains opposable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

7

30th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 80y

16:26 Listowel

Falco Blitz

11st 4lb

J: Calum Hogan

T: E McNamara

Six-time winner (four chases, two hurdles) holds a 14lb lower hurdles mark and ran a very encouraging race returning from an absence at Killarney when third; entitled to improve on that; interesting.

7/1

3rd

11

11th May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 4f 50y

18:07 Killarney

Falco Blitz

10st 11lb

J: Calum Hogan

T: E McNamara

Potentially well handicapped given his chasing exploits off higher marks but he is a 12yo returning from a long absence.

20/1

Form: 513588 D

Last run: 19 days

W: 12st 3lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 135

Form & Verdict
Back to his best when winning a handicap chase at the Galway festival earlier this season for Gordon Elliott; hasn't shown much in three starts for current yard, plenty keen at Leopardstown on latest; drops considerably in grade here so can't be ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

14

30th May 2024

Good To Firm

2m 0f 100y

17:15 Limerick

Vado Forte

10st 8lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Ross O’Sullivan

midfield

7/2

6th

2

7th May 2024

Yielding To Soft

2m 1f 31y

19:50 Ballinrobe

Vado Forte

11st 11lb

J: Shane O’Callaghan

T: Ross O’Sullivan

towards rear, some headway 3 out, no impression from last

10/1

6th

2

7th May 2024

Yielding To Soft

2m 1f 31y

19:50 Ballinrobe

Vado Forte

11st 11lb

J: Shane O’Callaghan

T: Ross O’Sullivan

towards rear

10/1

Form: 212334 D

Last run: 25 days

W: 10st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Better chaser than hurdler, winning Downpatrick beginners and some solid placed efforts in handicaps at Navan and Fairyhouse; let down by jumping at former venue last month but overall profile makes him a leading player, although this trip is on the short side.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

25th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 136y

19:05 Ballinrobe

Clonbury Bridge

10st 13lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: J P Dempsey

Won a couple of Fairyhouse chases last year (2m5f/3m) and handles goodish ground; last month's hurdling fourth probably a prep for this; can race close to the pace.

10/1

4th

4

18th Apr 2026

Yielding

3m 0f 5y

17:00 Bellewstown

Clonbury Bridge

12st 0lb

J: Mr Finian Maguire

T: J P Dempsey

Three wins apiece over hurdles and fences; was a 7l runner-up at Navan in a 2m4f handicap hurdle in November but pulled-up at Leopardstown next time; a squeak if back to form.

14/1

5

1st Nov 2025

Good

3m 0f 0y

14:10 Down Royal

Clonbury Bridge

11st 7lb

J: Eoin Staples

T: J P Dempsey

Gained his third chase win in a Fairyhouse handicap (24.5f, yielding) three weeks ago; raised 5lb for that 1.5l victory so he'll need a career best to follow up off his new mark.

11/2

Form: 603B-P D

Last run: 144 days

W: 10st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
Winning hurdler; early days over fences but initial signs haven't been good; tried blinkered (too keen latest) on second start for current yard.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

25th May 2023

Good

2m 6f 160y

20:00 Limerick

Leahman

12st 0lb

J: Mike O’Connor

T: J Beamish

Pulled-up in two chase starts for this yard; cheekpieces replace the blinkers worn last time; has to return to last year's form.

22/1

7

23rd Feb 2023

Good

2m 0f 149y

15:05 Thurles

Leahman

10st 2lb

J: Sean O’Keeffe

T: J Beamish

took keen hold, prominent, not fluent 2nd

20/1

7

2nd Oct 2022

Good

2m 1f 0y

15:20 Killarney

Leahman

11st 9lb

J: Richard Deegan

T: J Beamish

took keen hold, in rear on outer, in touch with leaders 4th, lost position and towards rear after 8th, pushed along and behind when pulled up before 3 out

14/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €12.10
Straight Forecast €12.70
Tricast €68.46
Trifecta €89.90

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Union Park

RP Ratings (IRE):

Clonbury Bridge

The Irish Sun:

Falco Blitz

TOPSPEED:

Union Park

POSTDATA:

Union Park