March 09 / 16.15 Thurles

16.15

Good

Holycross Maiden Hurdle

  • Prize money: £5221.24
  • 2m 4f 218y
  • 15 runners
RTV
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Holycross Maiden Hurdle

Runners: 15 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Rain and snow

Form: 080

Last run: 11 days

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Bit more promising at Naas recently but more likely needed to play a role here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

18

13th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 0y

19:20 Punchestown

Ballagh Star

10st 11lb

J: Aidan Kelly

T: Mrs Y Dunleavy

Dual winning chaser is rated 8lb lower over hurdles but is 0-14; this ground suits but may need this run to warm up for a summer campaign.

8/1

9

4th Nov 2025

Soft

3m 0f 82y

12:45 Fairyhouse

Ballagh Star

10st 7lb

J: Philip Donovan

T: Mrs Y Dunleavy

Gained a deserved second chase win off 4lb lower at Sligo early last month (3m2f, gd-yld), his second win at that track; previously ran well on soft at Ballinrobe (2m7f); in fine fettle and should be in the mix again.

100/30

9

4th Nov 2025

Soft

3m 0f 82y

12:45 Fairyhouse

Ballagh Star

10st 7lb

J: Philip Donovan

T: Mrs Y Dunleavy

Gained a deserved second chase win off 4lb lower at Sligo early last month (3m2f, gd-yld), his second win at that track; previously ran well on soft at Ballinrobe (2m7f); in fine fettle and should be in the mix again.

100/30

Form: 908

Last run: 12 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Tailed-off on bumper debut for Willie Mullins and well held both starts for current yard last month, albeit not beaten too far on first occasion; now switches to hurdles.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

1

23rd Nov 2023

Yielding

2m 6f 0y

12:10 Thurles

Criminal Mischief

11st 12lb

J: Brian Hayes

T: Steve Jones

2m maiden hurdle winner at Clonmel last term; generally struggled since and shown nothing in two runs this term; tough ask on chase debut.

40/1

12th

3

5th Nov 2023

Soft

2m 4f 0y

15:50 Cork

Criminal Mischief

11st 12lb

J: Maite Laubies

T: Steve Jones

Won 2m maiden on heavy at Clonmel in March (placed horses won maidens in the autumn); fair fifth on handicap debut at Tramore; tailed off at Clonmel in May and pulled up in a recent 3m event at Limerick on first run after a break.

33/1

0

2

22nd Oct 2023

Heavy

3m 0f 0y

15:40 Limerick

Criminal Mischief

12st 2lb

J: Mr C Mullins

T: Steve Jones

Won 2m maiden on heavy at Clonmel in March (placed horses won maidens after) and fair fifth on handicap bow at Tramore; tailed off back at Clonmel when last seen in May; first try at 3m.

10/1

Abandoned

Form: 5080-

Last run: 335 days

W: 11st 12lb

8 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Limerick bumper debut effort over Christmas 2021 not without promise but has shown nothing since, including twice over hurdles.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13

4th Nov 2025

Soft

2m 0f 0y

14:15 Fairyhouse

Leis Fein

11st 4lb

J: Danny Gilligan

T: V T O’Brien

Well-exposed maiden, trainer's expertise with older horses is the main positive factor.

66/1

6th

13

4th Nov 2025

Soft

2m 0f 0y

14:15 Fairyhouse

Leis Fein

11st 4lb

J: Danny Gilligan

T: V T O’Brien

Well-exposed maiden, trainer's expertise with older horses is the main positive factor.

66/1

6th

13

4th Nov 2025

Soft

2m 0f 0y

14:15 Fairyhouse

Leis Fein

11st 4lb

J: Danny Gilligan

T: V T O’Brien

Well-exposed maiden, trainer's expertise with older horses is the main positive factor.

66/1

Abandoned

Form: 708789

Last run: 71 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Six bumper runs have amounted to little and easily passed over now on hurdles debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

16

21st May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 1f 157y

16:43 Limerick

Max Time

10st 0lb

J: Paddy Cleary

T: I Madden

Galway win in September 2024 was a flash in the pan; unplaced in 33 of his 34 starts; pulled up in 3m handicap hurdle at Punchestown last week.

66/1

18

13th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 0y

19:50 Punchestown

Max Time

10st 2lb

J: Paddy Cleary

T: I Madden

Galway win in September 2024 was a flash in the pan; unplaced in 31 of his 32 starts; beaten 27l at Thurles when last seen in January.

40/1

Form: 0-86

Last run: 14 days

W: 11st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Midfield finishes in a pair of 2m7f maidens here last month suggest he'll be of more interest in handicaps; needs to jump better.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

16th

9

6th May 2023

Good

2m 4f 0y

15:33 Cork

Monza Man

11st 8lb

J: Ben Harvey

T: Timothy Doyle

towards rear throughout

14/1

2nd

5

13th Mar 2023

Yielding

2m 4f 218y

15:40 Thurles

Monza Man

11st 12lb

J: Ambrose McCurtin

T: Timothy Doyle

towards rear, headway from 3 out, ridden and went third approaching last, went second and made challenge run-in, held towards finish

12/1

Form: /05777

Last run: 37 days

W: 11st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Too keen and didn't get home on handicap debut at Limerick in January off what looked a high enough opening mark on his maiden form; back in maiden company here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

11

2nd Jul 2024

Good To Firm

2m 6f 150y

15:33 Tipperary

Out The Gap

11st 1lb

J: Philip Byrnes

T: Patrick G Kelly

Maiden was beaten 16l by Kilmurry JJ at Limerick last time and has work to do in order to turn that deficit around.

16/1

6th

6

23rd May 2024

Good

2m 6f 160y

20:00 Limerick

Out The Gap

11st 9lb

J: Philip Donovan

T: Patrick G Kelly

14-race maiden who has yet to place and has rarely threatened to do so, recent Tipperary chase effort poor; hard to fancy.

16/1

6th

6

23rd May 2024

Good

2m 6f 160y

20:00 Limerick

Out The Gap

11st 9lb

J: Philip Donovan

T: Patrick G Kelly

14-race maiden who has yet to place and has rarely threatened to do so, recent Tipperary chase effort poor; hard to fancy.

16/1

Form: 00P08

Last run: 14 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Nothing as yet in maidens, latest in much stronger race here last month over a bit further; hard to fancy.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

17

30th Sep 2023

Heavy

2m 4f 50y

15:25 Gowran Park

Ozark Thunder

11st 3lb

J: Sean Cleary-Farrell

T: Thomas Cleary

Shown very little in eight runs so far and was pulled up on handicap debut last time.

33/1

0

14

11th Sep 2023

Good To Yielding

2m 6f 55y

17:40 Galway

Ozark Thunder

11st 4lb

J: Sean Cleary-Farrell

T: Thomas Cleary

Well beaten in bumpers and maiden hurdles; needs to step up plenty on handicap debut but check market anyway.

25/1

Form: 5-89P

Last run: 70 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Promising enough debut run in Listowel bumper in 2021 but maiden hurdle form since October return has been modest (first two in good-class maidens) although was in process of running a better race until bad mistake three out ended his chances at Limerick last time; if avoiding serious error could well play a role in this weak maiden.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

26th May 2023

Good

2m 3f 0y

18:15 Limerick

Sixty Seconds

11st 9lb

J: Conor McNamara

T: E McNamara

prominent, went third halfway

6/1

3rd

8

11th May 2023

Soft

2m 3f 25y

19:18 Clonmel

Sixty Seconds

11st 8lb

J: Conor McNamara

T: E McNamara

Promising enough debut run in Listowel bumper in 2021 but maiden hurdle form since October return has been modest, although was in process of running a better race until bad mistake three out ended his chances at Limerick; tame effort at Thurles raises questions but remains a potential improver on handicap debut.

10/1

8

13th Mar 2023

Yielding

2m 4f 218y

15:40 Thurles

Sixty Seconds

11st 12lb

J: Conor McNamara

T: E McNamara

prominent on inner

11/2

Form: 08-670

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 5lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
A bit of promise on her return in a maiden hurdle at Punchestown but hasn't backed that up including no show on recent handicap debut; appears limited but can't be ruled out in such an ordinary maiden.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

20th Aug 2023

Yielding

2m 5f 150y

13:45 Tramore

Fruit Blossom

11st 7lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Gordon Elliott

One of the better hurdlers in this field and returns to chasing on the back of a handicap win at Down Royal (2m6f) last week; last of four on chase debut at Perth prior to that but better expected this time.

3/1

1st

1

13th Aug 2023

Yielding To Soft

2m 5f 165y

15:40 Downpatrick

Fruit Blossom

12st 0lb

J: Danny Gilligan

T: Gordon Elliott

Second over C&D and at Kilbeggan in April before getting off the mark at Wexford the following month; her Ballinrobe fourth was in a competitive heat but below-par last twice including when tried over fences at Perth.

9/2

4th

3

6th Jul 2023

Good

2m 4f 20y

Class 4

15:18 Perth

Fruit Blossom

11st 8lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Gordon Elliott

in touch with leaders

9/2

Abandoned

Form: F780

Last run: 107 days

W: 11st 5lb

5 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Hasn't shown too much in bumper and three attempts hurdling; hard to fancy and yard have a seemingly stronger contender in Sixty Seconds.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

18

13th Feb 2024

Heavy

2m 6f 88y

16:15 Thurles

Janverlil

10st 13lb

J: Conor McNamara

T: E McNamara

didn't always jump with fluency, in rear, detached and struggling when pulled up after 7th

14th

15

29th Dec 2023

Heavy

2m 3f 0y

15:10 Limerick

Janverlil

11st 5lb

J: Conor McNamara

T: E McNamara

Mare rated 80 and seems modest; has been off since July.

100/1

8th

9

13th Jul 2023

Yielding

2m 5f 170y

17:35 Downpatrick

Janverlil

11st 2lb

J: Conor McNamara

T: E McNamara

Little promise in maidens or on recent handicap debut and difficult to make a case for.

28/1

Form: 0-5607

Last run: 7 days

W: 11st 5lb

7 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Midfield finish at Clonmel last week a small step in the right direction but eligible for a mark after today and handicaps likely more her future.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

10

8th Aug 2025

Good

3m 0f 0y

18:38 Wexford

No Fussing

11st 1lb

J: Liam Quinlan

T: Timothy Doyle

Sole success came in a maiden hurdle in 2023; has run well in handicaps off higher marks than this; stayed on late for fifth over 2m6f (good) at Ballinrobe last time out in first-time cheekpieces (retained); dropped 2lb and could go well stepped back up to 3m.

16/1

5th

8

22nd Jul 2025

Yielding

2m 6f 41y

19:42 Ballinrobe

No Fussing

11st 2lb

J: Mr D Doyle

T: Timothy Doyle

Sole win came in a Thurles maiden hurdle (2m5f, soft) in 2023; has gone close in handicaps but hasn't looked a winner in waiting recently; mark sliding but needs to revive.

14/1

6

28th May 2025

Good To Firm

3m 0f 0y

20:00 Wexford

No Fussing

11st 4lb

J: Mr D Doyle

T: Timothy Doyle

Maiden hurdle winner at Thurles also ran well in 2m7f handicaps at Punchestown off 100 mark early last year (soft); lightly raced and well below best this past winter but entitled to come on from recent Cork comeback run and is down to a dangerous-looking mark.

7/1

Form: P880

Last run: 93 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Three of 4 maiden runs have been at Tramore, all moderate; hard to fancy.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

11

16th Aug 2024

Good

2m 5f 0y

19:13 Tramore

Stradbally Village

11st 7lb

J: Alan King

T: Ms M Flynn

Pulled up in four of her last six starts but ran okay when fifth here in June; her subsequent runs make her hard to fancy.

50/1

11

25th Jul 2024

Good

2m 4f 100y

17:00 Wexford

Stradbally Village

10st 13lb

J: Alan King

T: Ms M Flynn

Encouraging signs at Tramore last month but poor efforts in handicaps twice since and easy to oppose on balance.

50/1

11

12th Jul 2024

Good

2m 3f 60y

18:45 Kilbeggan

Stradbally Village

10st 13lb

J: Ethan O’Sullivan

T: Ms M Flynn

Some promise in a Tramore maiden but was poor in a Downpatrick handicap since and others preferred.

18/1

Form: 6007

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 5lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Last month's Clonmel effort a definite step in the right direction; probably wouldn't have to improve too much more to have a say here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

15

22nd Apr 2024

Soft

2m 5f 180y

18:10 Tramore

Walk Out

11st 5lb

J: Phillip Enright

T: John E & Thomas Kiely

Unlucky not to win at least once in handicap hurdles and came home in isolation in her latest point having been left clear; entitled to have some say here.

7/1

5th

15

22nd Apr 2024

Soft

2m 5f 180y

18:10 Tramore

Walk Out

11st 5lb

J: Phillip Enright

T: John E & Thomas Kiely

Unlucky not to win at least once in handicap hurdles and came home in isolation in her latest point having been left clear; entitled to have some say here.

7/1

6th

7

19th Oct 2023

Yielding

2m 7f 0y

16:35 Thurles

Walk Out

11st 7lb

J: Rachael Blackmore

T: John E & Thomas Kiely

Still a maiden but getting closer, runner-up latest two starts in 2m4f handicaps at Tramore and Listowel (mistake last); remains on a competitive mark and should be thereabouts.

11/2

Form: 0/7-65

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 5lb

7 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won Dromahane point-to-point for Arthur Moore in late 2021; ran okay to a point on bumper return at Cork last April when trained by Mark Scallan and respectable runs in maiden hurdles this year, not quite getting home at Clonmel last time (Walk Out behind); has to be considered on overall profile in such a weak race and better ground could suit but needs to jump better.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

7

25th Jan 2024

Heavy

2m 0f 0y

13:05 Gowran Park

Young Darleen

11st 10lb

J: Sean Flanagan

T: R P Cody

Winning pointer and narrowly beaten in a Wexford maiden hurdle; hooded and shaped like needing the run in a 2m3f Naas handicap hurdle two weeks ago; should be spot on for this.

7/1

7th

8

12th Jan 2024

Soft

2m 3f 24y

15:12 Naas

Young Darleen

11st 3lb

J: Mike O’Connor

T: R P Cody

Fairly consistent in maiden hurdles in the spring and summer of last year, including when touched off in a 2m4f mares contest at Wexford in May; not seen since a below par effort at Kilbeggan in June; hooded here and probably best watched but worth a market check.

12/1

4th

14

4th Jun 2023

Good

2m 2f 59y

14:20 Kilbeggan

Young Darleen

11st 5lb

J: Ben Harvey

T: R P Cody

Point winner at Dromahane in December 2021; has shown a fair standard for form since joining this stable last winter; recent second in 2m4f maiden at Wexford provides plenty of encouragement, since the winner was a Willie Mullins-trained odds-on shot who had been running in Grade 1 races.

5/2

OUR TIP

Form: 04-500

Last run: 79 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Reserve; Punchestown fourth a year ago his standout run; both runs this season a long way short of that level however so caution advised for now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

29th May 2026

Good

1m 7f 110y

17:55 Tramore

Be Fierce

11st 5lb

J: Shane O’Callaghan

T: T M Walsh

Won over hurdles at Punchestown in January (2m, sft-hvy); his C&D novice chase win came on testing ground too and it was yielding when he won here over hurdles; goes well fresh so lack of a recent run isn't a concern but could do with some rain.

10/1

10th

17

22nd Feb 2026

Soft To Heavy

1m 7f 110y

15:00 Naas

Be Fierce

10st 3lb

J: Shane O’Callaghan

T: T M Walsh

Chase winner bagged his second hurdling win at Punchestown (2m, soft to heavy) last month on his first run since August, all out to win by a head; up 5lb for that win and this is harder.

15/1

Verdict

A weak maiden. YOUNG DARLEEN needs to jump better than at Clonmel last month but this better ground could suit and she is taken to confirm that form with Walk Out. Others with claims include Sixty Seconds and Fruit Blossom. [Alan Hewison]

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Young Darleen

POSTDATA:

Fruit Blossom

RP Ratings (IRE):

Young Darleen

The Irish Sun:

Young Darleen