December 16 / 12.00 Fairyhouse

12.00

Heavy

Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase

  • Prize money: £7309.73
  • 2m 0f 110y
  • 12 runners
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Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

11/4 (Won)

  • Win: £3.70
  • Place: £1.10

Form: 111P-F D

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Rattled off a hat-trick that included a Grade 3 novice hurdle at Thurles last season before pulling up in the Coral Cup; still involved when coming down in third on chase debut behind Facile Vega at Navan last month; could be a big player with an error free round.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

11th May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 4f 100y

18:37 Killarney

Sa Fureur

11st 0lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Gordon Elliott

Classy sort who is 2-7 over fences and ran as well as he was entitled to behind Energumene in a Grade 2 at Fairyhouse last month; his second to Impaire Et Passe in February was bordering on a career best and he's Kennedy's pick from three stablemates.

4/1

4th

6

6th Apr 2026

Yielding To Soft

2m 3f 180y

16:20 Fairyhouse

Sa Fureur

11st 4lb

J: Danny Gilligan

T: Gordon Elliott

2-6 over fences; won the Navan Listed handicap in 2024, that Down Memory Lane won last year, off 143, which was his last success; excellent effort in the Grade 2 Red Mills at Gowran in February when a 1.25l second behind Impaire Et Passe; well beaten in the Martin Pipe latest but the return to chasing is a plus; a fair bit to find on the figures, however.

8/1

13th

4

13th Mar 2026

Good

2m 4f 56y

Class 2

17:20 Cheltenham

Sa Fureur

11st 9lb

J: Eoin Staples

T: Gordon Elliott

Well treated on best chase form, including second in Gowran Grade 2 when returned to that sphere last time, but he has never been able to show it over hurdles; his Cheltenham Festival record of P40, the fourth-place finish over fences, adds to the uncertainty.

20/1

11/2

  • Place: £3.00

Form: 32-550 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 6lb

4 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Useful hurdler who was only just touched off in last season's Fred Winter; struggled this season though and probably best watched on chase debut.
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

20/1

  • Place: £7.90

Form: 331-9F

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won maiden hurdle at Cork at the end of last term but was tailed off on chase debut and fell heavily at Punchestown since; hood now tried; likely to struggle.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

6

21st Apr 2025

Soft To Heavy

3m 0f 130y

17:40 Fairyhouse

Battle It Out

10st 11lb

J: Charlie O’Dwyer

T: Conor O’Dwyer

prominent

12/1

Form: 4211P- D

Last run: 377 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Bumper winner last season before following up in good style in a maiden hurdle; pulled up when 40-1 for the Royal Bond here when last seen but more to come from him; Townend prefers Hunters Yarn though.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

13th Jan 2024

Soft

2m 1f 60y

14:32 Fairyhouse

Polo Lounge

11st 12lb

J: Danny Mullins

T: W P Mullins

jumped left, didn't jump with fluency

16/1

4th

5

16th Dec 2023

Heavy

2m 0f 110y

12:00 Fairyhouse

Polo Lounge

11st 12lb

J: Sean O’Keeffe

T: W P Mullins

led, jumped left 6th, jumped left 3 out, soon headed, weakened from 2 out

7/1

2

19th Dec 2022

Frozen

2m 0f 100y

12:40 Punchestown

Polo Lounge

11st 7lb

J: Paul Townend

T: W P Mullins

Landed a bumper at Listowel and a maiden hurdle at Limerick in early autumn; 40s, ran freely before weakening quickly and being pulled up in Fairyhouse Grade 1 earlier this month; this a more realistic target.

5/1

Form: 7361F- D

Last run: 251 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won a maiden hurdle at Thurles last season; bit to find in this company and likely to need her chase debut returning from 251 days off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

2

23rd Aug 2024

Good

2m 2f 120y

17:55 Kilbeggan

Tophill Low

12st 0lb

J: Liam McKenna

T: Mrs Lorna Fowler

Maiden hurdle winner (soft) spent a period chasing before hurdles return 11 days ago when never sighted at Ballinrobe; entitled to come on for that but others preferred.

16/1

6th

3

12th Aug 2024

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 165y

18:23 Ballinrobe

Tophill Low

12st 0lb

J: Liam McKenna

T: Mrs Lorna Fowler

Maiden hurdle winner; last three runs have been over fences and was running well when departing in the latest one at Tipperary that went to Galway Plate winner Pinkerton; now back hurdling and can win races off this mark.

8/1

15

23rd Apr 2024

Soft

2m 0f 110y

15:35 Tipperary

Tophill Low

11st 5lb

J: Liam McKenna

T: Mrs Lorna Fowler

Maiden winner over hurdles and rated 110 in that discipline; well beaten in two chases and back from a break.

33/1

Form: 47P008

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 5lb

5 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Shown little so far and tailed off on chase debut last time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14

26th Sep 2025

Yielding

2m 6f 0y

15:43 Listowel

Lilys Choice

10st 6lb

J: Sean Flanagan

T: David Harry Kelly

Maiden hasn't troubled the judge in three runs since return from a 527 day layoff; jumping often an issue, though she was hampered when unseating latest; others appeal more.

40/1

13

19th Sep 2025

Yielding

2m 1f 165y

15:21 Downpatrick

Lilys Choice

10st 6lb

J: Cian Quirke

T: David Harry Kelly

Yet to make much of an impact under rules with lack of fluency in jumping a consistent issue; tailed off in two starts following 527-day break, although slight improvement last time; others bring more pressing claims.

25/1

6th

15

8th Aug 2025

Good

3m 0f 0y

18:03 Wexford

Lilys Choice

10st 12lb

T: David Harry Kelly

First reserve; Yet to make much of an impact under Rules and jumping has been an issue; tailed off after 527-day layoff over 16.5f here on latest; others have more pressing claims.

OUR TIP

Form: 24-900

Last run: 14 days

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Went close in a handicap hurdle from a mark of 101 last year; tailed off in two chase starts and has plenty to find in this.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

8

27th Mar 2025

Yielding To Soft

2m 7f 0y

15:42 Clonmel

Jump The Shark

11st 5lb

J: Kieren Buckley

T: Gavin Cromwell

Ran only twice in 2024; justified support in a handicap chase over just short of 3m on good ground at Downpatrick in May; jumped badly and afterward reported lame behind when beaten favourite at Punchestown the following month; jumped poorly and pulled up at Fairyhouse in January on return.

10/1

6

16th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 5f 0y

12:30 Fairyhouse

Jump The Shark

11st 6lb

J: Mark Walsh

T: Gavin Cromwell

Ran only twice in 2024; justified support in a handicap chase over just short of 3m on good ground Downpatrick in May; jumped badly and afterward reported lame behind when beaten favourite at Punchestown the following month; possibly better suited by a longer trip and good ground.

5/1

6

16th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 5f 0y

12:30 Fairyhouse

Jump The Shark

11st 6lb

J: Mark Walsh

T: Gavin Cromwell

Ran only twice in 2024; justified support in a handicap chase over just short of 3m on good ground Downpatrick in May; jumped badly and afterward reported lame behind when beaten favourite at Punchestown the following month; possibly better suited by a longer trip and good ground.

5/1

Form: 3470-

Last run: 251 days

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Promise in two bumpers and 10l defeat on hurdle bow at Navan was another good run; tailed off when last seen though and likely to need this chase debut returning from 251 days off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

11th Oct 2025

Yielding

2m 0f 0y

14:52 Fairyhouse

Run For Harry

11st 12lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: Mrs Gillian Callaghan

Won consecutive handicap hurdles in 2024; hit and miss since and one of his best efforts was runner-up at Downpatrick in June; below that twice since and needs a repeat.

14/1

8th

2

14th Aug 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

18:35 Tramore

Run For Harry

11st 12lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: Mrs Gillian Callaghan

Out of form this year but his run at Downpatrick in June was a positive when a 1.25l second of nine (2m2f, yielding to soft); didn't build on that at Galway last time when well beaten (2m1f, good); different headgear combination tried but needs to bounce back.

18/1

13th

10

2nd Aug 2025

Good

2m 0f 175y

14:37 Galway

Run For Harry

10st 13lb

J: Patrick M O’Brien

T: Mrs Gillian Callaghan

Got back on track with a 1.25l second of 9 at Downpatrick (2m2f, yld-sft) last time out off 119; raised 1lb for that but rider's 5lb claim negates that; well beaten in this last year but claims if backing up that last run.

10/1

Form: 31102- C BF

Last run: 251 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Smart novice hurdler last term, winning a Listed hurdle at Navan before a 12th in the County and finished off the campaign with a Grade 2 second (beaten roughly 2l) here in April; form of that race is working out nicely and may be up to this on chase debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

5th Apr 2026

Yielding To Soft

3m 0f 180y

17:30 Fairyhouse

Hunters Yarn

12st 0lb

J: Mr Finian Maguire

T: P M J Doyle

Three bumper wins, once for this yard, twice for Willie Mullins; three wins over jumps for Mullins before losing his way; has prospered in points this term for his original trainer, winning three from four, the exception a Dromahane third when he made a few mistakes; no disgrace in losing out to Panda Boy at Naas; harder to overlook Gowran defeat

5/2

2nd

2

7th Mar 2026

Heavy

3m 1f 0y

16:53 Gowran Park

Hunters Yarn

12st 0lb

J: Mr A P Ryan

T: P M J Doyle

Three bumper wins, once for this yard, twice for Willie Mullins; three wins over jumps for Mullins before losing his way; has prospered in points this term for his original trainer, winning three from four, the exception a Dromahane third when he made a few mistakes; no disgrace in losing out to the Cheltenham-bound Panda Boy at Naas; can uphold form with Ryehill.

11/8

Form: 05780P

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Shown very little in points, hurdles or a beginners' chase so far.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

5

23rd Jan 2024

Yielding To Soft

2m 4f 100y

15:30 Down Royal

One Of Us Is Lying

11st 5lb

J: J J Slevin

T: Neill McCluskey

An 88-rated hurdler; failed to complete his first two starts over fences; completely out of his depth in a strong novice chase at Naas 11 days ago.

25/1

5th

5

12th Jan 2024

Soft

2m 0f 0y

12:42 Naas

One Of Us Is Lying

11st 2lb

J: Jack G Gilligan

T: Neill McCluskey

88-rated hurdler has failed to complete on both starts over fences; completely out of his depth.

200/1

Form: /31/F9

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 12lb

8 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won a Downpatrick maiden hurdle in 2021; missed more than two years and shown nothing over fences since.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

8

23rd Jan 2024

Yielding To Soft

2m 0f 115y

14:55 Down Royal

Rumoroso

11st 3lb

J: A P Heskin

T: C A McBratney

Won a Downpatrick maiden hurdle on good ground in 2021; missed more than two years; has shown nothing over fences yet, though admittedly set very tough tasks.

50/1

0

6

16th Dec 2023

Heavy

2m 0f 110y

12:00 Fairyhouse

Rumoroso

11st 12lb

J: A P Heskin

T: C A McBratney

midfield, jockey lost iron briefly 2nd

50/1

9th

10

24th Nov 2023

Soft To Heavy

2m 0f 110y

12:55 Fairyhouse

Rumoroso

11st 12lb

J: A P Heskin

T: C A McBratney

Placed over hurdles in 2018 on his only French start; won a 2m3f maiden hurdle win on good ground at Downpatrick in July 2021 when trained by Willie Mullins; fell at second on chase/stable debut at Navan following a long absence.

66/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 5lb

5 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Shown nothing in four points; hood on for rules debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

6th Jul 2024

Good

2m 4f 110y

18:30 Bellewstown

Menhir

10st 13lb

J: P J O’Hanlon

T: M M Rice

Little sign of ability in point-to-points and lots to find on two hurdle runs; cheekpieces tried.

33/1

4th

5

17th Jun 2024

Good

2m 2f 129y

16:45 Kilbeggan

Menhir

10st 11lb

J: P J O’Hanlon

T: M M Rice

Little sign of ability in points; has struggled in a beginners' chase and a maiden hurdle.

100/1

9th

14

24th May 2024

Good

2m 2f 185y

17:05 Downpatrick

Menhir

10st 11lb

J: Phillip Enright

T: M M Rice

Little sign of ability in points and on chasing debut so enormous improvement is needed.

150/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €67.10
Straight Forecast €39.71
Trifecta €1051.00

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Hunters Yarn

POSTDATA:

Sa Fureur

The Irish Sun:

Hunters Yarn