12.20

J: Mr J W Hannon

7/1 (Won)

Win: £10.30
Place: £3.30

Form: 3523-P

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict

Consistent in points/hunter chases without winning; graduated to handicaps last winter and gave his best display when second over an extended 2m4f at Thurles; picked up a minor injury on his seasonal debut at the same venue; could feature now if fully recovered.

Place / No / Draw	Date / Going / Distance / Class	Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer	Verdict	Starting price
12th 7	2nd Apr 2026 Soft 2m 7f 55y	17:00 Clonmel Baldurs Gate 10st 12lb J: Darragh O’Keeffe T: Miss Denise Marie O’Shea	Sole win came in 3m1f Punchestown handicap in late 2023; kept busy in recent weeks, standout on latest when third of seven at Limerick (24.5f, soft to heavy) 11 days ago; booking of Darragh O'Keeffe a plus.	8/1
3rd 8	22nd Mar 2026 Soft To Heavy 3m 0f 150y	16:37 Limerick Baldurs Gate 10st 5lb J: Sean Flanagan T: Miss Denise Marie O’Shea	Sole win came in 3m1f Punchestown handicap in late 2023; kept busy since January return, standout run when third over 3m2f at Fairyhouse; amateur-ridden of late, senior professional now takes over.	8/1
9th 1	17th Mar 2026 Soft 2m 3f 100y	16:32 Wexford Baldurs Gate 12st 0lb J: Mr E T Mellerick T: Miss Denise Marie O’Shea	Is 1-19 over fences; last year ended on a low note and again below his best at Leopardstown two weeks ago; belatedly tries cheekpieces at the age of 11.	14/1

Place /
No / Draw

Date / Going /
Distance / Class

Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer

Verdict

Starting price

12th

7

2nd Apr 2026

Soft

2m 7f 55y

17:00 Clonmel

10st 12lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

Sole win came in 3m1f Punchestown handicap in late 2023; kept busy in recent weeks, standout on latest when third of seven at Limerick (24.5f, soft to heavy) 11 days ago; booking of Darragh O'Keeffe a plus.

8/1

3rd

8

22nd Mar 2026

Soft To Heavy

3m 0f 150y

16:37 Limerick

10st 5lb

J: Sean Flanagan

Sole win came in 3m1f Punchestown handicap in late 2023; kept busy since January return, standout run when third over 3m2f at Fairyhouse; amateur-ridden of late, senior professional now takes over.

8/1

9th

1

17th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 3f 100y

16:32 Wexford

12st 0lb

J: Mr E T Mellerick

Is 1-19 over fences; last year ended on a low note and again below his best at Leopardstown two weeks ago; belatedly tries cheekpieces at the age of 11.

14/1

2nd

5

He Fitz In

J: Shane O’Callaghan

T: D E Fitzgerald

6/1

Place: £1.90

Form: P41F22 D

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 6lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 94

Form & Verdict

Dual hurdles winner including 2m6f Navan contest in September; set to follow up 11 days later in 3m2f Sligo handicap chase when crumpled on landing at the last; recorded two seconds last month, never nearer in an amateur handicap chase over a slightly shorter trip at this venue; soundly beaten in a handicap hurdle at Limerick last time.

Place / No / Draw	Date / Going / Distance / Class	Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer	Verdict	Starting price
6th 15	5th Feb 2026 Soft 2m 6f 195y	16:02 Thurles He Fitz In 10st 7lb J: Dylan O’Connor T: D E Fitzgerald	Three-time winner but stuck on a losing run and hasn't shaped like a winner waiting to happen returned to hurdles the last twice.	25/1
6th 9	24th Oct 2025 Good To Yielding 3m 1f 80y	17:30 Sligo He Fitz In 10st 6lb J: Calum Hogan T: D E Fitzgerald	The last of his two hurdle wins came just over two years ago off 5lb higher; close third over fences here two starts ago but below that level since; has to rebound back hurdling.	11/1

Place /
No / Draw

Date / Going /
Distance / Class

Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer

Verdict

Starting price

6th

15

5th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 6f 195y

10st 7lb

Three-time winner but stuck on a losing run and hasn't shaped like a winner waiting to happen returned to hurdles the last twice.

25/1

6th

9

24th Oct 2025

Good To Yielding

3m 1f 80y

10st 6lb

The last of his two hurdle wins came just over two years ago off 5lb higher; close third over fences here two starts ago but below that level since; has to rebound back hurdling.

11/1

OUR TIP

3rd

3

Black Samurai

J: Mr Derek O’Connor

T: Sean Aherne

16/1

Place: £5.40

Form: 8/8076

Last run: 7 days

W: 11st 10lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict

Three wins between May and August in 2021; missed last year and has failed to find his best form again since his return in August; remote sixth at Clonmel last week and now has cheekpieces as well as usual tongue-tie; best on good ground or with some ease.

Place / No / Draw	Date / Going / Distance / Class	Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer	Verdict	Starting price
7th 6	30th Nov 2023 Yielding 2m 6f 0y	13:15 Thurles Black Samurai 10st 12lb J: Phillip Enright T: Sean Aherne	Three wins in 2021; missed last year and has taken a while to find anything like his best form again since his return in August; positive display at Punchestown two weeks ago, led until making a bad mistake two out, just lost second place behind an easy winner.	11/2
3rd 3	16th Nov 2023 Soft 3m 0f 157y	12:20 Punchestown Black Samurai 11st 10lb J: Mr Derek O’Connor T: Sean Aherne	led, bad mistake and headed 2 out, no extra and lost second final 110yds	16/1
6th 1	9th Nov 2023 Heavy 2m 4f 96y	15:25 Clonmel Black Samurai 12st 0lb J: Sean O’Keeffe T: Sean Aherne	Three wins between May and August in 2021; missed last year and has failed to find his form again since his return in August; best on good ground or with some ease.	20/1

Place /
No / Draw

Date / Going /
Distance / Class

Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer

Verdict

Starting price

7th

6

30th Nov 2023

Yielding

2m 6f 0y

10st 12lb

Three wins in 2021; missed last year and has taken a while to find anything like his best form again since his return in August; positive display at Punchestown two weeks ago, led until making a bad mistake two out, just lost second place behind an easy winner.

11/2

3rd

3

16th Nov 2023

Soft

3m 0f 157y

11st 10lb

led, bad mistake and headed 2 out, no extra and lost second final 110yds

16/1

6th

1

9th Nov 2023

Heavy

2m 4f 96y

12st 0lb

Three wins between May and August in 2021; missed last year and has failed to find his form again since his return in August; best on good ground or with some ease.

20/1

4th

7

Fox Le Bel

J: Aidan Kelly

T: Liz Doyle

9/2

Form: 4323-3 BF

Last run: 9 days

W: 11st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict

Frustrating sort; has often looked like a possible future winner; placed in 11 of his 27 races, including on his final three starts last season and when third behind today's rivals Faith Loving and Greenway Machine at Fairyhouse last week; needs to jump better than on that occasion; always a risky proposition but would not be a surprise winner.

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

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

10st 4lb

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

5th

10

J: Cian Cullinan

9/2

Form: U63512

Last run: 9 days

W: 10st 1lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 75

Form & Verdict

Point winner in 2019; gained his first chase success at the 19th attempt at Downpatrick, a game display from 2lb out of the handicap; just edged out by Faith Loving at Fairyhouse wit Fox Le Bel in third; capable of another big run now.

Place / No / Draw	Date / Going / Distance / Class	Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer	Verdict	Starting price
16	30th Oct 2025 Good 2m 5f 80y	14:30 Thurles Greenway Machine 10st 0lb J: Sam Ewing T: Ms Helen P Markham	Veteran showed there was still plenty of life in him last year; struggling this year; has made the frame at Downpatrick on his last two starts, but beaten a long way on both occasions.	25/1
16	30th Oct 2025 Good 2m 5f 80y	14:30 Thurles Greenway Machine 10st 0lb J: Sam Ewing T: Ms Helen P Markham	Veteran showed there was still plenty of life in him last year; struggling this year; has made the frame at Downpatrick on his last two starts, but beaten a long way on both occasions.	25/1
7	10th Oct 2025 Yielding To Soft 2m 7f 150y	17:37 Downpatrick Greenway Machine 10st 0lb J: Sam Ewing T: Ms Helen P Markham	Won this in 2023 and added Tramore win last summer; recent form leaves him with lots to find however.	20/1

Place /
No / Draw

Date / Going /
Distance / Class

Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer

Verdict

Starting price

16

30th Oct 2025

Good

2m 5f 80y

14:30 Thurles

10st 0lb

J: Sam Ewing

Veteran showed there was still plenty of life in him last year; struggling this year; has made the frame at Downpatrick on his last two starts, but beaten a long way on both occasions.

25/1

16

30th Oct 2025

Good

2m 5f 80y

14:30 Thurles

10st 0lb

J: Sam Ewing

Veteran showed there was still plenty of life in him last year; struggling this year; has made the frame at Downpatrick on his last two starts, but beaten a long way on both occasions.

25/1

7

10th Oct 2025

Yielding To Soft

2m 7f 150y

17:37 Downpatrick

10st 0lb

J: Sam Ewing

Won this in 2023 and added Tramore win last summer; recent form leaves him with lots to find however.

20/1

6th

4

J: Dillon Maxwell

7/2

Form: 465-F1 D

Last run: 9 days

W: 11st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict

A three-time winner in points; first two hunter chase attempts in the 2021/22 season were promising, but he was disappointing last season; his reappearance at Portrush did not seem encouraging but he rose to the challenge to beat Greenway Machine at Fairyhouse last week; that was an ordinary contest, but it confirmed his stamina which could be a big factor again.

Place / No / Draw	Date / Going / Distance / Class	Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer	Verdict	Starting price
9th 7	10th May 2024 Good 2m 7f 150y	19:55 Downpatrick Faith Loving 11st 7lb J: Richard Deegan T: Mrs Caroline McCaldin	midfield	22/1
9th 7	10th May 2024 Good 2m 7f 150y	19:55 Downpatrick Faith Loving 11st 7lb J: Richard Deegan T: Mrs Caroline McCaldin	midfield	22/1
7th 4	26th Apr 2024 Yielding 2m 3f 100y	18:50 Downpatrick Faith Loving 11st 6lb J: J J Slevin T: Mrs Caroline McCaldin	in touch with leaders early, soon dropped to midfield, towards rear with one circuit to go, no extra before 2 out	10/1

Place /
No / Draw

Date / Going /
Distance / Class

Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer

Verdict

Starting price

9th

7

10th May 2024

Good

2m 7f 150y

19:55 Downpatrick

11st 7lb

J: Richard Deegan

midfield

22/1

9th

7

10th May 2024

Good

2m 7f 150y

19:55 Downpatrick

11st 7lb

J: Richard Deegan

midfield

22/1

7th

4

26th Apr 2024

Yielding

2m 3f 100y

18:50 Downpatrick

11st 6lb

J: J J Slevin

in touch with leaders early, soon dropped to midfield, towards rear with one circuit to go, no extra before 2 out

10/1

1

An Fraoch Mor

J: Keith Donoghue

T: Ross O’Sullivan

12/1

Form: P/65-0

Last run: 185 days

W: 12st 0lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 102

Form & Verdict

Returned from a long absence in March and was well beaten in three handicap chases before a summer break; plenty to prove as a result, but perhaps worth bearing in mind that he once held a rating of 130 and is now precisely two stone lower.

Place / No / Draw	Date / Going / Distance / Class	Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer	Verdict	Starting price
0 1	16th Nov 2023 Soft 3m 0f 157y	12:20 Punchestown An Fraoch Mor 12st 0lb J: Keith Donoghue T: Ross O’Sullivan	never better than midfield, detached before 4 out, pulled up 3 out	12/1
10th 5	15th May 2023 Good To Yielding 2m 4f 0y	19:25 Killarney An Fraoch Mor 11st 11lb J: Shane O’Callaghan T: Ross O’Sullivan	Returned from a long absence this spring and has been well beaten in two chases; the better ground today might help but isn't easy to fancy.	25/1
5th 9	8th Apr 2023 Soft 2m 5f 150y	15:55 Fairyhouse An Fraoch Mor 10st 5lb J: Miss M O’Sullivan T: Ross O’Sullivan	Looked like a nice prospect when winning a novice chase at Navan in 2019; seemingly not easy to train since and missed all of 2022; tailed off on last month's return at Navan but his mark has come tumbling down; market may be revealing.	11/1

Place /
No / Draw

Date / Going /
Distance / Class

Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer

Verdict

Starting price

0

1

16th Nov 2023

Soft

3m 0f 157y

12st 0lb

never better than midfield, detached before 4 out, pulled up 3 out

12/1

10th

5

15th May 2023

Good To Yielding

2m 4f 0y

11st 11lb

Returned from a long absence this spring and has been well beaten in two chases; the better ground today might help but isn't easy to fancy.

25/1

5th

9

8th Apr 2023

Soft

2m 5f 150y

10st 5lb

Looked like a nice prospect when winning a novice chase at Navan in 2019; seemingly not easy to train since and missed all of 2022; tailed off on last month's return at Navan but his mark has come tumbling down; market may be revealing.

11/1

6

16/1

Form: 07-966 D

Last run: 46 days

W: 11st 5lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict

Was in the best form of his life when he won twice over hurdles in the summer of 2020; career has been punctuated by breaks; needs to step up on the form of his first two handicap chase attempts at Wexford and Killarney.

Place / No / Draw	Date / Going / Distance / Class	Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer	Verdict	Starting price
0 6	16th Nov 2023 Soft 3m 0f 157y	12:20 Punchestown William Of Wykeham 11st 5lb J: Phillip Enright T: Mark Michael McNiff	towards rear, not fluent 10th, soon detached, pulled up 4 out	16/1
6th 5	1st Oct 2023 Yielding 2m 7f 0y	16:45 Killarney William Of Wykeham 11st 7lb J: Phillip Enright T: Mark Michael McNiff	Dual hurdles winner and good second to smart type at this track but that was all three years ago; it's been a struggle since including when beaten 30l on handicap chase debut at Wexford last time; fitter for that at least.	12/1
6th 4	1st Sep 2023 Good 3m 1f 0y	19:25 Wexford William Of Wykeham 11st 9lb J: Phillip Enright T: Mark Michael McNiff	Dual hurdle winner has been well held in three chase starts and needs to show much more on handicap debut; cheekpieces added.	16/1

Place /
No / Draw

Date / Going /
Distance / Class

Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer

Verdict

Starting price

0

6

16th Nov 2023

Soft

3m 0f 157y

12:20 Punchestown

11st 5lb

towards rear, not fluent 10th, soon detached, pulled up 4 out

16/1

6th

5

1st Oct 2023

Yielding

2m 7f 0y

16:45 Killarney

11st 7lb

Dual hurdles winner and good second to smart type at this track but that was all three years ago; it's been a struggle since including when beaten 30l on handicap chase debut at Wexford last time; fitter for that at least.

12/1

6th

4

1st Sep 2023

Good

3m 1f 0y

19:25 Wexford

11st 9lb