December 17 / 12.50 Thurles

12.50

Yielding

Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Chase

  • Prize money: £8876.11
  • 2m 2f 57y
  • 11 runners
RTV
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Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Chase

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

11/2 (Won)

  • Win: £11.10
  • Place: £3.30

Form: -36143

Last run: 31 days

W: 11st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Placed several times over fences before getting off the mark with wide-margin success in a Tramore beginners' event in August; typically a front-runner, failed to sustain his effort in a 2m4f handicap at Gowran in September; did well under the same tactics when third in a rated contest at Punchestown last time
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

30th Oct 2025

Good

2m 2f 66y

14:00 Thurles

Willywampus

11st 12lb

J: Ricky Doyle

T: Eamon Courtney

One of his two chase wins came over C&D, that was in 2023; out of form this year and not easy to fancy at present.

16/1

4/1

  • Place: £2.10

Form: 06-117 CD BF

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
Given a break after a handicap hurdle win at Clonmel in May; came back from a break in fine shape, winning a C&D beginners' chase with considerable ease; made a bad mistake two out when unplaced favorite off his lower hurdles mark here last time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

2nd Feb 2026

Soft To Heavy

2m 1f 0y

16:05 Leopardstown

Battle Of Ridgeway

10st 6lb

J: Liam McKenna

T: Martin Hassett

Has improved since finishing third at the Listowel festival, splitting Jasko De Dames and Drumgill; recorded his third chase win at Navan in December; up in grade here following a 9lb rise in the ratings; handles testing conditions.

10/1

6

26th Oct 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 3f 130y

13:05 Wexford

Battle Of Ridgeway

10st 12lb

J: Liam McKenna

T: Martin Hassett

Got his second chasing win when taking a C&D handicap in August by a short head (good), probably value for more (idled and rider misjudged finish line); raised to current mark for run at Listowel and not disgraced when a keeping on third (17.5f, yielding to soft); one of the likelier contenders.

4/1

OUR TIP

5/1

  • Place: £1.70

Form: -31284

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
Won a handicap at Galway in July on his 12th start over hurdles; creditable second to the useful Perceval Legallois on chasing debut at the same venue; moderate run at Fairyhouse, better at Wexford, although the display was somewhat inconclusive.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

16

1st Aug 2025

Good

2m 6f 111y

18:00 Galway

Neveradullmoment

11st 1lb

J: Mark Walsh

T: J P Dempsey

Galway specialist with all three wins having come at the track; back-to-back winner over hurdles and fences here last term at 2m and 2m6f on soft and good to yielding; well beaten in two starts in May in Punchestown and Ballinrobe; he's up 12lb since his chase win last season, but he loves this place.

11/1

15

26th May 2025

Good

2m 7f 72y

18:30 Ballinrobe

Neveradullmoment

11st 0lb

J: Mark Walsh

T: J P Dempsey

1-13 over fences; won back to back races at Galway last August-September including a chase (22.5f, gd-yld) off 113; well-beaten off this mark on return from six months off when behind a couple of these at Punchestown; others make more appeal.

28/1

Form: 9646-7 D

Last run: 216 days

W: 11st 2lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
Three-time chase winner; dropped down the handicap in the second half of last season and is now 15lb lower than when second to Brandy Harbour in this race last season; fitness has to be taken on trust but worth noting he has been placed in four of his five races at this venue.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

25th Apr 2024

Yielding To Soft

2m 3f 100y

18:52 Wexford

Revelyn Pleasure

10st 11lb

J: Mark McDonagh

T: Sean O O’Brien

prominent, not fluent and lost position 3 out (usual 4 out), towards rear when jumped slightly left 2 out (usual 3 out)

7/4

4th

5

25th Apr 2024

Yielding To Soft

2m 3f 100y

18:52 Wexford

Revelyn Pleasure

10st 11lb

J: Mark McDonagh

T: Sean O O’Brien

Won back-to-back over fences either side of New Year and generally consistent since; beaten roughly 2l at Cork earlier this month and should be a big player back up in trip.

7/4

Form: 161333

Last run: 77 days

W: 10st 12lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Six-time winner, including twice in handicap hurdles this season; 2-16 over fences, placed twice in small-field handicaps this season; ran a bit below expectations when third (2 1/4l behind stablemate Ardamir) at Killarney in October.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

6th Jun 2025

Good

2m 0f 190y

17:35 Clonmel

Ricky Langford

11st 10lb

J: Tony Ellis

T: P J Rothwell

Seven-time winner between hurdles and fences; only beaten approx' 3l on last hurdles start at Thurles back in March and a repeat of that will see him competitive.

8/1

Form: 3P8929 BF

Last run: 56 days

W: 10st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
1-15 over hurdles, 0-6 over fences; has done plenty of racing since winning a 2m5f handicap hurdle at Limerick 13 months ago; not the most consistent, but ran well to take second in a handicap chase at this venue in February; good run over hurdles at Galway in October, disappointing favourite at Limerick later that month.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

1st Apr 2025

Good

2m 3f 128y

18:15 Limerick

Chainofconsequence

11st 0lb

J: Sean O’Keeffe

T: Michael J McDonagh

midfield, mistake and lost ground 2nd, pulled up 4th

10/1

7

1st Apr 2025

Good

2m 3f 128y

18:15 Limerick

Chainofconsequence

11st 0lb

J: Sean O’Keeffe

T: Michael J McDonagh

midfield, mistake and lost ground 2nd, pulled up 4th

10/1

2

27th Feb 2025

Heavy

2m 7f 0y

14:15 Clonmel

Chainofconsequence

11st 11lb

J: Mr A P Ryan

T: Michael J McDonagh

2-18 over fences, 1-19 over hurdles; hard to win with, but not far off his best when second off his lower hurdles mark at this venue two weeks ago; could go well again.

11/2

Form: /0-U96

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 10lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Has run only five times since winning a handicap hurdle at Cheltenham two years ago; unseated at fourth on chase debut in Cork event won by Time Marches On; struggled at Fairyhouse, along with Neveradullmoment who finished in front of him at Wexford a month ago.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

6th Oct 2024

Good

2m 1f 0y

16:00 Killarney

Mc Alpine

10st 9lb

J: Simon Torrens

T: P J Rothwell

0-12 over fences; badly out of form since winning over hurdles at Cheltenham in November 2021; blinkers need to have a transformative effect.

25/1

10th

8

27th Sep 2024

Soft

2m 3f 100y

16:25 Listowel

Mc Alpine

11st 5lb

J: Tiernan Power Roche

T: P J Rothwell

held up in rear

28/1

9th

6

30th Aug 2024

Yielding

2m 3f 100y

18:50 Wexford

Mc Alpine

11st 7lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: P J Rothwell

Dual hurdle winner is 0-10 over fences and isn't easy to fancy on the back of recent poor efforts.

33/1

Form: 68-326 D

Last run: 24 days

W: 10st 8lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
All five wins have come over hurdles but has managed useful form in defeat over fences this term; finished in front of his shorter-priced stablemate Ricky Langford (also runs here) when second at Killarney in October; tongue-tie tried when unplaced over C&D, left off now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

10

17th Dec 2023

Yielding

2m 2f 57y

12:50 Thurles

Ardamir

10st 8lb

J: Jack G Gilligan

T: P J Rothwell

All five wins have come over hurdles but has managed useful form in defeat over fences this term; finished in front of his shorter-priced stablemate Ricky Langford (also runs here) when second at Killarney in October; tongue-tie tried when unplaced over C&D, left off now.

10/1

6th

9

23rd Nov 2023

Yielding

2m 2f 91y

12:45 Thurles

Ardamir

11st 5lb

J: James O’Sullivan

T: P J Rothwell

All five wins have come over hurdles but he's been running well in defeat over fences this term; form of his latest second boosted with the winner going close subsequently; should be involved if he takes to the first-time tongue-tie.

6/1

Form: 533-4F

Last run: 15 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
Hurdle winner on heavy ground the season before last; 0-6 chasing, fair level of form at 2m without looking progressive; none too fluent on seasonal debut at Down Royal last month; jumping again ragged when stepped up in trip at Fairyhouse, well beaten when falling at the last.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

1

17th Dec 2023

Yielding

2m 2f 57y

12:50 Thurles

Mount Brown

11st 12lb

J: Liam McKenna

T: Noel Meade

Hurdle winner on heavy ground the season before last; 0-6 chasing, fair level of form at 2m without looking progressive; none too fluent on seasonal debut at Down Royal last month; jumping again ragged when stepped up in trip at Fairyhouse, well beaten when falling at the last.

8/1

0

3

2nd Dec 2023

Soft

2m 5f 110y

12:15 Fairyhouse

Mount Brown

11st 6lb

J: Miss S Doyle

T: Noel Meade

didn't always jump with fluency, towards rear early, in touch with leaders 5 out, no extra after 2 out, weakening when fell last

10/1

4th

7

10th Nov 2023

Soft

2m 0f 100y

14:37 Down Royal

Mount Brown

11st 6lb

J: Sam Ewing

T: Noel Meade

Hurdle winner on heavy ground; has had only four runs over fences; made handicap chase debut in a strong Fairyhouse event in April, renews rivalry with Pats Choice who was 10l in front of him then.

6/1

Form: -35328

Last run: 37 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
Beaten favourite twice in August; close up in third in a handicap at Wexford, and was clear of the third when runner-up in a beginners' event at Tramore; ran poorly in a first-time tongue-tie at Down Royal; cheekpieces on now instead.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

6th Aug 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

19:52 Wexford

Itwasfate

11st 4lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Henry De Bromhead

Sole win over hurdles came in 2022; some fine runs in defeat over fences since including a close third in this race in 2023; has been missing since February 2024 but has been given a chance by the handicapper; market strength could indicate his readiness.

4/1

6th

5

15th Feb 2024

Heavy

2m 0f 82y

16:05 Clonmel

Itwasfate

11st 12lb

J: Mike O’Connor

T: Henry De Bromhead

disputed lead early, raced in second from 1st, mistake 7th, joined leader after 3 out, led home turn

11/4

2nd

12

12th Jan 2024

Soft

2m 0f 0y

13:12 Naas

Itwasfate

10st 6lb

J: Mike O’Connor

T: Henry De Bromhead

prominent, challenging when carried left before last, jumped slightly left last, soon ridden, kept on well towards finish, just held

14/1

Form: 04-P81 D

Last run: 63 days

W: 11st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Placed three; times over hurdles; off the mark over fences at fourth attempt under a much-improved round of jumping in 2m2f Cork novice in October; form looks solid and opening handicap mark seems fair.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

21st Aug 2025

Good

2m 4f 180y

19:07 Killarney

Time Marches On

11st 9lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: J Motherway

Dual chase winner has run well in defeat at this track; poor in two hurdles and a chase this year so has to get back to his best.

22/1

5th

2

6th Aug 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

19:52 Wexford

Time Marches On

11st 8lb

J: Alex Harvey

T: J Motherway

Dual chase winner with the last coming off a 2lb lower mark at Tipperary over a year ago; hasn't matched that form since and was poor over hurdles the last twice so has to get back to best.

10/1

9th

2

17th Jul 2025

Good

2m 4f 85y

18:02 Killarney

Time Marches On

11st 8lb

J: Alex Harvey

T: J Motherway

Dual chase winner is a maiden over hurdles and was beaten a long way back in this sphere on return at Punchestown; plenty of improvement needed.

25/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €45.40
Straight Forecast €47.22
Tricast €137.18
Trifecta €205.60

Selections

RP RATINGS (IRE):

Willywampus

The Irish Sun:

Battle Of Ridgeway

SPOTLIGHT:

Time Marches On

TOPSPEED:

Willywampus

POSTDATA:

Willywampus