December 17 / 14.35 Thurles

14.35

Yielding

Wishing Everyone A Safe & Happy Christmas Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £8353.98
  • 1m 7f 205y
  • 16 runners
RTV
View Course
Wishing Everyone A Safe & Happy Christmas Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 16 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

14/1 (Won)

  • Win: £21.00
  • Place: £3.60

Form: 110654 CD

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 0lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Seven-time winner (four at Galway) over hurdles/fences who was not discredited back hurdling at Cork the last twice, more needed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

25th Jul 2025

Good

2m 4f 5y

19:40 Kilbeggan

Pakens Rock

11st 5lb

J: Sean O’Keeffe

T: Darren Collins

Three-time course winner, twice over fences in 2023 and won over hurdles here in April; struggled in a better race than this over C&D latest; this easier and can't be dismissed given his liking for this venue.

18/1

11

16th Jun 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 4f 51y

19:48 Kilbeggan

Pakens Rock

10st 0lb

J: P J O’Hanlon

T: Darren Collins

Kilbeggan specialist with a couple of handicap chase wins in 2023 (including this race) and landed 2m2f handicap hurdle in April; fair third off higher chase mark at Ballinrobe since; 3lb wrong here but respected given his record here.

13/2

3rd

7

26th May 2025

Good

2m 3f 136y

19:00 Ballinrobe

Pakens Rock

10st 10lb

J: Cian Quirke

T: Darren Collins

Gained his tenth success (and first for this stable) when taking a handicap hurdle over 2m2f at Kilbeggan a month ago; most recent chase run saw him finish second to Flash De Touzaine at Limerick on stable debut; good chance he can reverse that form and go close in the process.

9/2

10/1

  • Place: £2.20

Form: 74252P D

Last run: 29 days

W: 10st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Finding it hard to add to Galway success of 2022 although several good efforts in defeat (including on Flat); too keen and paid the price at Navan last time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

29th May 2026

Good

2m 5f 180y

16:50 Tramore

Big Island

11st 12lb

J: Cian Quirke

T: W J Lanigan

Winning hurdler; 0-8 over fences and rated 97; fell when holding every chance in a C&D handicap chase when last seen last August (good); has gone well fresh and not discounted.

15/2

10

17th Aug 2025

Good

2m 6f 0y

16:30 Tramore

Big Island

10st 3lb

J: Cian Quirke

T: W J Lanigan

Went close at Limerick in April, has failed to build on that in four subsequent runs; tailed off at Killarney a month ago.

16/1

8/1

  • Place: £1.10

Form: 45-13 D

Last run: 160 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced 5yo entitled to win as he did at Wexford over the summer and slightly better form when third in Roscommon rated novice; opening mark looks fair enough and one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

24th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 2

15:28 Uttoxeter

Bowmore

12st 0lb

J: Daire McConville

T: Charlie Longsdon

Campaigned mostly at about 2m but over this far he ran well for a 125-1 chance to be beaten about 10l in a big-field handicap at the Grand National meeting (under Daire McConville; finished ahead of Sir Galahad); this is not quite so demanding.

12/1

12th

13

10th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 1

13:45 Aintree

Bowmore

11st 6lb

J: Daire McConville

T: Charlie Longsdon

Campaigned mostly at about 2m and isn't crying out for this return to further; furthermore, he suffered a heavy defeat at the Cheltenham Festival most recently and this is another difficult task.

66/1

21th

20

13th Mar 2026

Good

2m 0f 179y

Class 1

14:00 Cheltenham

Bowmore

10st 6lb

J: Daire McConville

T: Charlie Longsdon

Front-runner; convincing Newbury win (2m) under Daire McConville in November before 11l third off this 10lb higher mark behind two well-handicapped rivals at Doncaster (2m, good to soft again) in December; off since; needs better.

40/1

OUR TIP

8/1

  • Place: £3.20

Form: 24516- D

Last run: 262 days

W: 11st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Landed heavy-ground Gowran maiden back in March but later same month faded tamely in more competitive Naas rated novice; reappears for handicap debut with likely still more to offer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

24th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

14:32 Uttoxeter

Abbeydale

12st 0lb

J: Jack Hogan

T: Fergal O’Brien

Won a maiden hurdle in Ireland back in March 2023; hasn't seen much action in the meantime and latest fourth at Wetherby (2m3f, soft) in this new headgear combination was a step back in the right direction; possible.

11/2

6th

4

7th Mar 2025

Soft

2m 6f 151y

Class 3

15:20 Leicester

Abbeydale

11st 2lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: Fergal O’Brien

Won over hurdles in Ireland; has been keeping fair company in his four runs for current yard but hasn't got going; could still come good again.

14/1

5th

3

20th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 3

13:35 Warwick

Abbeydale

11st 9lb

J: Jack Hogan

T: Fergal O’Brien

Hurdle winner in Ireland; yet to show progress for new yard, latterly switched to fences (fell then well-held second); doesn't look obviously well treated back at handicap level.

12/1

Form: 6050F- D

Last run: 302 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 124

Form & Verdict
Last win came in 2m1f Killaney handicap hurdle in July 2022; absent since halfway faller at Gowran back in February so watching brief advised on return.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

18th Jul 2025

Good

2m 6f 180y

14:30 Killarney

Zoffanien

11st 5lb

J: John Shinnick

T: Terence O’Brien

Has hit the frame in both handicap hurdle outings in 2025, the latest when runner-up at Cork beaten 2l in April; mixed signals on the strength of that form but fit after respectable Flat outing last month and feasibly treated on old form.

9/1

10

(8)

7th Jun 2025

Good

1m 6f 0y

17:05 Navan

Zoffanien

9st 11lb

J: Adam Caffrey

T: Terence O’Brien

Three-time hurdles winner and 2-12 on the Flat; has run well on every outing since joining this yard, including four Flat runs in the second half of last year; stayed on well when second over hurdles at Cork when last seen; will be doing best work late.

14/1

Form: /232-7

Last run: 37 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Dual flat winner including at the Curragh in October; 0-6 hurdling, out of depth in Grade 3 following month; first handicap hurdle.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

8

17th Dec 2023

Yielding

1m 7f 205y

14:35 Thurles

David Garrick

11st 4lb

J: Ricky Doyle

T: Eddie & Patrick Harty

Dual flat winner including at the Curragh in October; 0-6 hurdling, out of depth in Grade 3 following month; first handicap hurdle.

16/1

7th

5

10th Nov 2023

Soft

2m 0f 190y

14:02 Down Royal

David Garrick

10st 11lb

J: Sean Flanagan

T: Eddie & Patrick Harty

took keen hold, soon prominent in chasing group, lost position 4th, towards rear when not fluent 2 out (usual 4 out), soon weakened

16/1

1st

13

(8)

12th Oct 2023

Yielding To Soft

1m 2f 0y

16:45 Curragh

David Garrick

9st 10lb

J: Mr Paddy Barlow

T: Eddie & Patrick Harty

in touch with leaders, went third under 4f out, led up the centre under 2f out, headed inside final furlong, rallied towards finish, led again post

11/2

Form: 364728 D

Last run: 29 days

W: 10st 9lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Soft ground winner at Punchestown in January and bounced back to form when second on testing ground at Galway in October; never landed a blow however at Navan following month; has form on better ground so don't discount a return to form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

23rd Apr 2026

Good

3m 1f 100y

Class 2

15:00 Warwick

Theonewedreamof

11st 5lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Ex-Irish mare who has been a bit up and down for Dan Skelton but did run well at Leicecster last time (2m4f, good to soft) given one notable mistake that she made; won't mind returning to further and off this mark she's entitled to have a major say.

6/4

3rd

3

6th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 4f 25y

Class 4

16:00 Leicester

Theonewedreamof

11st 11lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

First three runs this season were solid, notably a win at Exeter (3m, good) in November followed by a close second over 2m4f at Cheltenham; disappointed at Hereford a week later, though, and pulled up on return from a two-month break 16 days ago, so now has something to prove; however, a bounce-back would not surprise.

5/1

5

18th Feb 2026

2m 4f 11y

Class 3

15:05 Ludlow

Theonewedreamof

11st 7lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

Won at Exeter (3m, good) in November on second stable start before close second of 15 to Party Vibes at Cheltenham (2m4f, good to soft) in December; her run at Hereford seven days later may have come too soon (3m1f, soft; ground shouldn't have been an issue); remains of interest for top yard.

9/2

Form: 22030/ D

Last run: 639 days

W: 11st 9lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Runner-up in big field handicaps hurdles at the Galway and Listowel festivals in 2021 off this sort of mark; highly tried later that season and absent since contesting the 2022 County Hurdle so market likely best guide to his readiness.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

10th Aug 2024

Good

2m 4f 38y

19:30 Kilbeggan

Bua Boy

11st 2lb

J: Daniel King

T: Denis Gerard Hogan

Three time hurdling winner remains a maiden after three chase starts; beaten a head in a Tipperary novice chase last time (2m3f, good to yielding); not obviously well treated off 120 for handicap chase debut but at least comes into the race in good form; trainer does well here (22-194).

9/4

Form: 584212 D

Last run: 63 days

W: 10st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
Versatile front-runner in good form under both codes of late, second in Down Royal handicap hurdle, winning over fences at Sligo and most recently good second in Dundalk flat handicap; has to enter calculations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

(8)

16th Aug 2024

Standard

1m 4f 51y

Class 6

16:45 Wolverhampton (AW)

Clever Currency

9st 11lb

J: Jay Mackay

T: Michael Bell

awkward start and dwelt start, in rear

7/4

1st

2

(7)

7th Aug 2024

Good To Firm

1m 3f 104y

Class 6

19:10 Yarmouth

Clever Currency

9st 11lb

J: Callum Shepherd

T: Michael Bell

raced slightly wide early, in touch with leaders, prominent after 2f, led going best 3f out, soon went clear, pushed along over 1f out, ridden briefly and went further clear inside final furlong, eased final 110yds

13/8

4th

1

(8)

23rd Jul 2024

Standard

1m 4f 0y

Class 6

15:30 Lingfield (AW)

Clever Currency

9st 9lb

J: James Doyle

T: Michael Bell

Dual hurdle and a chase winner; hasn't had a lot of Flat racing and was well backed when just missing out in a 1m3f classified race at Yarmouth last week on stable debut; blinkers replace cheekpieces; once placed on the AW in Ireland.

2/1

Form: 656-64 D

Last run: 77 days

W: 10st 11lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
Runner-up in this race last year off 113 but hasn't run anywhere near that level since, never counting in Navan flat handicap latest; hard to be confident in but don't rule out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

14

(14)

7th Aug 2024

Yielding

1m 5f 98y

20:02 Sligo

Marvel Fan

8st 12lb

J: Siobhan Rutledge

T: Mrs C O’Leary

towards rear

14/1

9th

10

5th Aug 2024

Good

2m 1f 0y

14:35 Cork

Marvel Fan

10st 12lb

J: Daniel King

T: Mrs C O’Leary

in touch with leaders on inner, midfield after 4th

10/1

8

2nd Jul 2024

Good To Firm

2m 1f 70y

14:03 Tipperary

Marvel Fan

10st 0lb

J: Daniel King

T: Mrs C O’Leary

Decent mare over hurdles, though only one win; chase winner in her young days in France; ordinary handicap chase form last season; last month's 2l third at Clonmel was encouraging.

5/1

Form: 437633 C

Last run: 52 days

W: 11st 12lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 126

Form & Verdict
Three hurdle wins and two over fences including here; hasn't won for some time, pick of recent form when third in quite valuable 2m2f Cork handicap chase, below best when remote third in Clonmel mares chase latest; this trip on the short side back hurdling.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

1

31st Jul 2024

Good

2m 0f 110y

18:00 Galway

Minx Tiara

11st 12lb

J: Mr R James

T: David M O’Brien

soon led

16/1

3rd

8

4th Jul 2024

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 0y

18:15 Tipperary

Minx Tiara

10st 8lb

J: Sean Flanagan

T: David M O’Brien

In-foal mare; won Killarney mares' Listed contest in May, relegating Shecouldbeanything to third; backed that up by beating Senecia at Listowel; can be fancied to uphold form with those two rivals on these terms and could go close.

4/1

1st

6

3rd Jun 2024

Good

2m 0f 0y

15:50 Listowel

Minx Tiara

11st 7lb

J: Sean Flanagan

T: David M O’Brien

made all, 4 lengths ahead after 3 out, reduced lead 2 out, ridden and kept on well run-in

13/2

Form: 1PP-96 D

Last run: 31 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
Useful hurdler for Peter Flood last season, highlight being Leopardstown novice handicap win off 114; pulled up in big handicaps on final two starts and two underwhelming chase efforts this term; blinkers now fitted for hurdles return.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

6

17th Dec 2023

Yielding

1m 7f 205y

14:35 Thurles

Tullypole Annie

11st 7lb

J: Michael O’Sullivan

T: Mrs Lorna Fowler

Useful hurdler for Peter Flood last season, highlight being Leopardstown novice handicap win off 114; pulled up in big handicaps on final two starts and two underwhelming chase efforts this term; blinkers now fitted for hurdles return.

12/1

6th

9

16th Nov 2023

Soft

1m 7f 131y

12:55 Punchestown

Tullypole Annie

11st 5lb

J: J J Slevin

T: Mrs Lorna Fowler

in touch with leaders, lost position and towards rear 4th, keeping on when hampered by faller 2 out

9/2

9th

11

7th Oct 2023

Soft

2m 0f 110y

13:55 Fairyhouse

Tullypole Annie

11st 5lb

J: J J Slevin

T: Mrs Lorna Fowler

Useful hurdler for Peter Flood last season, the highlight provided by 33-1 Leopardstown novice handicap win; pulled-up in big handicaps on final two starts last term; change of stable.

16/1

Form: 0-51F3 D

Last run: 79 days

W: 11st 6lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
2m2f Downpatrick winner in June and solid run latest when third behind an odds-on shot at Gowran in September (2m4f); return to better ground here in his favour but others less exposed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15th

15

3rd May 2025

Yielding

2m 0f 0y

18:35 Punchestown

Rock On Seamie

12st 0lb

T: Ray Hackett

Three-time Flat winner; out of form over hurdles this season; others more likely.

50/1

15th

15

3rd May 2025

Yielding

2m 0f 0y

18:35 Punchestown

Rock On Seamie

12st 0lb

T: Ray Hackett

Three-time Flat winner; out of form over hurdles this season; others more likely.

50/1

3

10th Apr 2025

Good

2m 5f 60y

16:37 Limerick

Rock On Seamie

11st 6lb

J: Liam Quinlan

T: Ray Hackett

Both hurdle wins came over 2m, the latest at Downpatrick in the summer of 2023; regressive since and tried at a range of trips; fell early at Gowran in February; much to prove.

20/1

Form: 0U/PU-

Last run: 392 days

W: 11st 1lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Twice successful over hurdles though not for some time (staying-on third when unseated in this race two years ago) and absent since well held on Dundalk polytrack over a year ago during short spell with Emmet Mullins.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

9

17th Dec 2023

Yielding

1m 7f 205y

14:35 Thurles

Thousand Tears

11st 1lb

J: Niall Moore

T: John M Burke

Twice successful over hurdles though not for some time (staying-on third when unseated in this race two years ago) and absent since well held on Dundalk polytrack over a year ago during short spell with Emmet Mullins.

14/1

7

(7)

16th May 2023

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 182y

19:35 Killarney

Thousand Tears

9st 13lb

J: Julie Burke

T: John M Burke

Form: 3F6-44 D

Last run: 15 days

W: 10st 13lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Proving a better chaser with two wins early this year on soft and shot up the handicap; back from summer break forcing pace with creditable runs in valuable handicaps lately so has to be of interest off 13lb lower hurdles mark here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

2nd Oct 2025

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 3

15:40 Southwell

Whiskeywealth

12st 0lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Dual hurdle and three-time chase winner when based in Ireland; makes stable debut from a workable mark and will find this easier than Punchestown festival hurdle he contested in April but has fitness to prove and would appeal much more on soft/heavy ground.

7/1

11th

4

30th Apr 2025

Yielding

2m 3f 58y

14:30 Punchestown

Whiskeywealth

11st 12lb

J: Jack G Gilligan

T: Terence O’Brien

Encouraging return at Galway in October but disappointing over both hurdles and fences since; best form on softer ground than what is likely.

25/1

11th

4

30th Apr 2025

Yielding

2m 3f 58y

14:30 Punchestown

Whiskeywealth

11st 12lb

J: Jack G Gilligan

T: Terence O’Brien

Encouraging return at Galway in October but disappointing over both hurdles and fences since; best form on softer ground than what is likely.

25/1

Form: 48-977

Last run: 29 days

W: 10st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Ballinrobe maiden winner has largely struggled in handicaps although may have needed last month's Navan comeback run; ideally wants a bit further and others preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

14

(8)

19th Jan 2024

Standard

2m 0f 0y

17:00 Dundalk (AW)

Ballybaun Star

8st 13lb

J: Gavin Ryan

T: Thomas Gibney

Ran okay in a couple of turf handicaps in the summer; not a bad run in a Navan handicap hurdle in November before never looking interested in a similar Thurles contest; not the first time that has happened and is clearly quirky; has the ability to get involved though.

12/1

0

15

17th Dec 2023

Yielding

1m 7f 205y

14:35 Thurles

Ballybaun Star

10st 8lb

J: Kieran Callaghan

T: Thomas Gibney

Ballinrobe maiden winner has largely struggled in handicaps although may have needed last month's Navan comeback run; ideally wants a bit further and others preferred.

16/1

7th

17

18th Nov 2023

Soft To Heavy

2m 0f 0y

12:55 Navan

Ballybaun Star

10st 9lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Thomas Gibney

Starting to look flattered by his wide margin maiden hurdle success at Ballinrobe in May 2022; tailed off last two starts and needs further than this.

100/1

Non-runners

Doyenna, The Mass Path

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €182.20
Straight Forecast €136.77
Tricast €418.37
Trifecta €1102.10

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Clever Currency

RP RATINGS (IRE):

Whiskeywealth

POSTDATA:

Whiskeywealth

TOPSPEED:

Clever Currency

The Irish Sun:

Clever Currency