December 16 / 12.30 Fairyhouse

12.30

Heavy

Tote Always SP Or Better @Fairyhouse Handicap Chase

  • Prize money: £9398.23
  • 3m 0f 68y
  • 9 runners
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Tote Always SP Or Better @Fairyhouse Handicap Chase

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

10/1 (Won)

  • Win: £6.00
  • Place: £1.80

Form: 1F-P15 C BF

Last run: 48 days

W: 10st 11lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Won a handicap chase at Clonmel from 9lb lower towards the end of last season; returned with a win from his reduced hurdle mark but was a beaten favourite back over fences at Galway since when making a couple of mistakes; suspicion he's on a good mark if his jumping holds up.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

21st Mar 2024

Soft To Heavy

3m 0f 70y

16:33 Cork

Emancipator

11st 2lb

J: John Shinnick

T: Terence O’Brien

Very best form has come over fences at this sort of trip on similar ground; rated lower over timber and ran okay when fourth of 14 at Naas last month; step back up in trip will suit.

9/1

4th

12

25th Feb 2024

Soft To Heavy

2m 6f 147y

15:55 Naas

Emancipator

10st 0lb

J: John Shinnick

T: Terence O’Brien

Went up 13lb for winning a Gowran handicap hurdle in September; won a handicap chase at Fairyhouse in December but lack-lustre effort at Thurles after that; back over hurdles here and gets bang in off bottom-weight; should be competitive.

8/1

5th

4

21st Jan 2024

Yielding

2m 5f 132y

14:10 Thurles

Emancipator

11st 3lb

J: John Shinnick

T: Terence O’Brien

Better chaser than hurdler with three wins, most recently with a game success in a 3m handicap chase at Punchestown last month; up another 8lb for that; this trip is fine for him and he could well go close again.

5/1

11/2

  • Place: £1.40

Form: -62113 D BF

Last run: 20 days

W: 10st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Won his latest chase start at Gowran in September and in good form over hurdles since, winning at Limerick before a 3l defeat at Cork last month; fine on this ground and one to consider back up in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

30th Sep 2024

Yielding To Soft

3m 0f 25y

16:35 Roscommon

Positive Thinker

11st 13lb

J: Cian Quirke

T: Michael J McDonagh

Ultra-consistent stayer under both codes; six months off but has run well off a break before and handles soft ground well.

5/1

4th

11

1st Apr 2024

Heavy

2m 6f 45y

15:15 Fairyhouse

Positive Thinker

10st 6lb

J: Cian Quirke

T: Michael J McDonagh

Very consistent this season, mixing hurdling and chasing including winning 2m4f handicap chase at Gowran and just touched off over an extended 3m at this venue; an excellent effort to take second behind Irish Grand National candidate Hartur D'Arc, when running from 6lb out of handicap, at Naas last time; 11lb lower than over fences and has Cian Quirke's 5lb claim as well.

4/1

4th

11

1st Apr 2024

Heavy

2m 6f 45y

15:15 Fairyhouse

Positive Thinker

10st 6lb

J: Cian Quirke

T: Michael J McDonagh

Very consistent this season, mixing hurdling and chasing including winning 2m4f handicap chase at Gowran and just touched off over an extended 3m at this venue; an excellent effort to take second behind Irish Grand National candidate Hartur D'Arc, when running from 6lb out of handicap, at Naas last time; 11lb lower than over fences and has Cian Quirke's 5lb claim as well.

4/1

13/2

  • Place: £1.50

Form: 1114/3 C

Last run: 14 days

W: 10st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
Won three on the spin at this venue a couple of seasons ago (one chase, two hurdles); missed all of last season but nothing wrong with his return here when beaten 5l a fortnight ago and should be a player if he doesn't bounce.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

20

1st Apr 2024

Heavy

3m 5f 24y

17:00 Fairyhouse

Wheres Frankie

10st 1lb

J: Donagh Meyler

T: Karl Thornton

prominent, pressed leaders when not fluent 16th, weakened after 4 out, not fluent 3 out, dropped to rear when pulled up after 2 out

14/1

20

1st Apr 2024

Heavy

3m 5f 24y

17:00 Fairyhouse

Wheres Frankie

10st 1lb

J: Donagh Meyler

T: Karl Thornton

prominent, pressed leaders when not fluent 16th, weakened after 4 out, not fluent 3 out, dropped to rear when pulled up after 2 out

14/1

1st

6

3rd Mar 2024

Soft

3m 4f 61y

16:35 Leopardstown

Wheres Frankie

11st 4lb

J: Donagh Meyler

T: Karl Thornton

in touch with leaders, prominent on inner 13th, joined leaders 14th

11/4

Form: 31-451 C

Last run: 14 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 126

Form & Verdict
Maiden hurdle winner; showed promise in beginners' company before getting off the mark over fences here on handicap debut a fortnight ago (Where's Frankie third); good value for the winning margin and gave the impression he may improve for further; 8lb higher mark may not be insurmountable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

23rd Apr 2024

Soft

2m 4f 0y

16:10 Tipperary

So Des Flos

11st 10lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Gordon Elliott

Hurdle winner last season has won twice over fences this season, both handicaps at Fairyhouse over 2m5f; raised 6lb for that but the runner-up since finished 4th in the Scottish National, so solid form; should go close.

5/2

2nd

1

23rd Apr 2024

Soft

2m 4f 0y

16:10 Tipperary

So Des Flos

11st 10lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Gordon Elliott

Hurdle winner last season has won twice over fences this season, both handicaps at Fairyhouse over 2m5f; raised 6lb for that but the runner-up since finished 4th in the Scottish National, so solid form; should go close.

5/2

1st

2

30th Mar 2024

Heavy

2m 5f 120y

15:55 Fairyhouse

So Des Flos

11st 11lb

J: Miss Charlotte Butler

T: Gordon Elliott

prominent, not fluent 2nd, briefly disputed lead before 9th, joined leader 5 out, led going okay 3 out, headed and ridden towards far side after last, rallied when led again towards finish

8/1

13/2

Form: 210-42 D

Last run: 48 days

W: 10st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Won a beginners' at Clonmel last season and left a low-key reappearance behind when runner-up at Galway in October; third and fourth from that race have run okay in defeat since and he's respected here; 1lb higher.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

4

14th Apr 2024

Yielding

3m 2f 50y

17:25 Down Royal

Old Soul

11st 11lb

J: Conor Stone-Walsh

T: Liz Doyle

Unlucky to unseat two runs ago at Navan but was running well when falling last time at Leopardstown; the cheekpieces worn then are retained; be involved.

6/1

8th

4

14th Apr 2024

Yielding

3m 2f 50y

17:25 Down Royal

Old Soul

11st 11lb

J: Conor Stone-Walsh

T: Liz Doyle

Unlucky to unseat two runs ago at Navan but was running well when falling last time at Leopardstown; the cheekpieces worn then are retained; be involved.

6/1

Form: 9/40/P C

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 12lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 128

Form & Verdict
Losing run since back-to-back chase wins in 2019; pulled up a long way out on return from a lengthy absence last month and remains best watched for now, despite an attractive handicap mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

17th Feb 2024

Heavy

2m 4f 0y

16:35 Gowran Park

Ex Patriot

11st 1lb

J: Mr H C Swan

T: Miss Ellmarie Holden

2m2f handicap chase win here nearly five years ago was his last success; after lengthy absence yet to hit form this season, last of five behind R'evelyn Pleasure at Limerick on latest; rapidly declining mark but remains opposable.

20/1

5th

1

29th Dec 2023

Heavy

2m 6f 120y

12:20 Limerick

Ex Patriot

11st 12lb

J: Hugh Morgan

T: Miss Ellmarie Holden

in rear but in touch with leaders, not fluent 8th, prominent 9th, briefly went second after 3 out, weakened after 2 out

13/2

6th

1

16th Dec 2023

Heavy

3m 0f 68y

12:30 Fairyhouse

Ex Patriot

11st 12lb

J: Hugh Morgan

T: Miss Ellmarie Holden

held up in rear, mistake 4 out, some headway on outer before 2 out, soon no impression

20/1

Form: 33-F41 CD

Last run: 39 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
Consistent over hurdles last season; fell when still involved in a beginners' in September and was a beaten favourite in a novice chase at Cork three weeks later but got off the mark with a C&D beginners' win last month; mixed signals on the strength of that form but room for improvement in the jumping department and handles this sort of ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

12

12th May 2024

Good

3m 2f 0y

16:30 Killarney

Potters Party

10st 6lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Henry De Bromhead

Won a beginners' chase on heavy over an extended 3m at Fairyhouse last November; tame effort on handicap debut at the same venue the following month; back from a break and tried in a new headgear combination.

12/1

8th

12

12th May 2024

Good

3m 2f 0y

16:30 Killarney

Potters Party

10st 6lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Henry De Bromhead

Won a beginners' chase on heavy over an extended 3m at Fairyhouse last November; tame effort on handicap debut at the same venue the following month; back from a break and tried in a new headgear combination.

12/1

OUR TIP

Form: 4F-665 D

Last run: 13 days

W: 11st 7lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Won beginners' at Kilbeggan last summer but hasn't kicked on in handicaps; return to a shorter trip may help but his best form is on better ground than this.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

6th Sep 2024

Good To Yielding

2m 4f 40y

18:50 Kilbeggan

Everglow

11st 4lb

J: James Smith

T: Ian Patrick Donoghue

Lost form for Noel Meade but signs of life on first two starts in handicap hurdles for Ian Donoghue; brought down on return to chasing at Wexford and remains on what appears a high enough mark.

14/1

4

7th Aug 2024

Good

3m 1f 70y

19:15 Wexford

Everglow

11st 10lb

J: James Smith

T: Ian Patrick Donoghue

Lost form for Noel Meade but signs of life on first two starts in handicap hurdles for Ian Donoghue; reverts to chasing and is on a fair mark on some of his old form; handles most ground and not discounted.

16/1

5th

4

6th Jul 2024

Good

3m 0f 116y

20:00 Bellewstown

Everglow

11st 9lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: Ian Patrick Donoghue

Hurdle and chase winner was regressive over fences last year for former yard but showed some spark on return back over hurdles when third at Punchestown at 66/1; a chance with improvement likely from that.

7/1

Form: U134-0 D

Last run: 41 days

W: 11st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Won twice over fences last season but it was a low-key return over hurdles last month; while his very best form is on better ground, he handles conditions and should come on for his return; can't be ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

27th Sep 2024

Soft

2m 3f 100y

16:25 Listowel

Temptationinmilan

11st 13lb

J: Philip Byrnes

T: C Byrnes

in touch with leaders, fell 2nd

25/1

9th

13

7th Aug 2024

Good

3m 1f 70y

19:15 Wexford

Temptationinmilan

11st 2lb

J: Philip Byrnes

T: C Byrnes

Two time chase winner, the last victory coming at Navan in February 2023 off 112; now 2lb below that mark but was well behind Sea Aster in a C&D handicap chase last month; has to improve on that but needs to be respected if the money comes.

12/1

4th

15

24th Jul 2024

Good

3m 1f 110y

16:58 Wexford

Temptationinmilan

11st 1lb

J: Philip Byrnes

T: C Byrnes

Dual chase winner who lurks on his last winning mark; recent form has to be improved upon but he's dangerous to dismiss.

14/1

Non-runners

Clonmeen

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €21.30
Straight Forecast €22.65
Tricast €55.00
Trifecta €87.00

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

So Des Flos

The Irish Sun:

Potters Party

TOPSPEED:

Positive Thinker

RP RATINGS (IRE):

Emancipator

POSTDATA:

Clonmeen