December 27 / 14.20 Leopardstown

14.20

Yielding To Soft

Paddy Power Who Put The Wrappers Back In The Box? Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £15663.72
  • 2m 0f 0y
  • 13 runners
RTE2
View Course
Paddy Power Who Put The Wrappers Back In The Box? Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 13 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

8/1 (Won)

  • Win: £5.30
  • Place: £1.90

Form: 320-54 D

Last run: 39 days

W: 10st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Won back-to-back last season and posted a career best when only narrowly denied in a Fairyhouse novice hurdle; hasn't built on that since however although comeback fourth to Fortunedefortunata was encouraging; entitled to come on for that too.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

3

12th Jul 2026

Good

2m 1f 90y

14:50 Sligo

One Last Tango

11st 7lb

J: Peter Smithers

T: Eoin Griffin

The last of three hurdle wins came in 2023; some good runs over fences in the last two seasons without winning; needs best hurdles form, but is off a low mark.

14/1

4th

9

19th Oct 2025

Good

2m 3f 50y

16:50 Limerick

One Last Tango

10st 10lb

J: Mark Walsh

T: Eoin Griffin

Bumper and three-time hurdle winner is yet to score over fences but was just denied by Conyers Hill at Down Royal in January; runner-up in a Tipperary handicap in May but his jumping was sluggish and he will have to be sharper on return; tongue-tie added.

10/1

2nd

9

8th May 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 130y

18:07 Tipperary

One Last Tango

10st 12lb

J: Charlie O’Dwyer

T: Eoin Griffin

Three-time hurdles winner (rated 125); close fourth in competitive Leopardstown handicap chase in December; backed that up with neck second at Down Royal despite untidy jumping; something amiss when pulled up at Gowran; could bounce back.

15/2

7/1

  • Place: £2.60

Form: 2-2602 D

Last run: 24 days

W: 10st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Experienced 4yo yet to score in handicap company but arrives here on a career-high mark after finishing second in very valuable Fairyhouse contest early this month on soft; one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

6th Sep 2024

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 0y

16:35 Kilbeggan

By Your Side

11st 8lb

J: Finn Brickley

T: Gordon Elliott

Placed more often than winning over hurdles; did record his fourth win on the Flat at Tramore last month before finishing close up in a charity race at the Curragh on Sunday; pace will be on here which will help him being delivered late and certainly respected.

8/1

3rd

1

31st Aug 2024

Good

1m 4f 0y

17:45 Curragh

By Your Side

12st 6lb

J: P J Smullen

T: Gordon Elliott

Asserted well to win at Tramore; Pat Smullen's son takes the ride; big chance.

100/30

1st

5

(4)

17th Aug 2024

Yielding

1m 4f 0y

19:00 Tramore

By Your Side

9st 7lb

J: Leigh Roche

T: Gordon Elliott

Dual Purpose; 3-8 on the Flat; ran a solid race over this trip at Chester in May 2023; hurdling since that run until return to this sphere in the Cork Derby and he wasn't disgraced on ground plenty quick for him; this race is easier, a bit of cut in the ground will suit and he's been dropped 5lb; a big run could be on the cards.

9/1

9/2

  • Place: £1.80

Form: 400-91 D

Last run: 39 days

W: 10st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 128

Form & Verdict
Somewhat inconsistent since joining Gordon Elliott but won at Galway last year and welcome return to form at Navan last month (second start back) finding plenty for pressure in testing conditions to win going away; up 9lb for that to career-high mark so more needed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

2

24th Apr 2026

Good

3m 6f 121y

Class 3

14:05 Perth

Fortunedefortunata

12st 0lb

J: Jack Power

T: Patrick Morris

Had smart form when with Gordon Elliott before losing his way and selling for £3,000; fell midrace on stable debut but, with the cheekpieces back on, he outran odds of 100-1 to finish a fairly close third at Haydock (3m4f, good); if as good again here then he could have some say.

20/1

3rd

2

15th Apr 2026

Good

3m 4f 97y

Class 3

15:50 Haydock

Fortunedefortunata

12st 0lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Patrick Morris

Mostly campaigned in competitive staying chases when with Gordon Elliott and did not accomplish much this season; £3,000 buy in February but fell mid-race here 11 days ago on debut for new yard; cheekpieces (tried once) return; major questions to answer.

66/1

Form: 376330

Last run: 10 days

W: 10st 7lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Three hurdle wins and two over fences but on a long losing run and recent return to hurdles at Thurles didn't inspire confidence; wants further.
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: -27113 D

Last run: 24 days

W: 10st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Nicely progressive since September return, winning Clonmel maiden and Cork handicap before clear third (By Your Side second) in very valuable Fairyhouse handicap early this month, coming home strongly after being denied a clear run; could still have more to offer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

25th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 80y

18:35 Ballinrobe

Conyers Hill

11st 0lb

J: Alan O’Sullivan

T: Paul Nolan

Basically a bridle horse who doesn't find much when let down, but plenty of strong form and couldn't knock his latest second to an improver at Punchestown where he pulled clear of the rest (2m4f, yielding); doubt he wants this far, but easy track will help and valuable 7lb claimed.

8/1

2nd

8

29th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 4f 80y

17:25 Punchestown

Conyers Hill

10st 9lb

J: Sean Flanagan

T: Paul Nolan

Novice win came at Down Royal last season and pick of this season's handicap form when fourth in 2m4f Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham and held narrow lead when faller two out in 2m4f Tim Duggan Memorial at Limerick over Christmas; didn't stay 3m1f in Thyestes following month and has had time off since; could go well.

13/2

5th

16

22nd Jan 2026

Heavy

3m 1f 0y

15:30 Gowran Park

Conyers Hill

10st 9lb

J: Sean Flanagan

T: Paul Nolan

Two good runs at Cheltenham this season, including fourth in the Paddy Power in November, and a creditable second at Limerick on his seasonal debut the previous month; in the lead but beginning to look vulnerable when falling two out in the Tim Duggan at Limerick on latest.

20/1

12/1

Form: 0-4434 CD

Last run: 32 days

W: 10st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
Dual-purpose sort whose sole hurdles win came in C&D maiden last season; solid run in Punchestown handicap last month before okay run on Dundalk AW; blinkers now replace usual visor.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

5

(10)

4th Jun 2026

Yielding

1m 1f 0y

20:00 Leopardstown

Walhaan

9st 10lb

J: Dylan Browne McMonagle

T: Ciaran Murphy

Seven Flat wins include over C&D, and more recently on the AW in December; trip inadequate on seasonal return here in April and has since been pulled up over hurdles; champion jockey booked but veteran appears vulnerable.

14/1

10

9th May 2026

Good

2m 1f 0y

15:00 Killarney

Walhaan

10st 0lb

J: Conor Stone-Walsh

T: Ciaran Murphy

Seven-time Flat winner won a Leopardstown maiden hurdle in March 2023 (2m, good to yielding) but generally moderate form over hurdles since then; the same can be said of his recent outing on the level at Leopardstown last month.

18/1

Form: 3134-2 D

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 9lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 139

Form & Verdict
Very useful dual-purpose 4yo, wins including Grade 2 Kempton 4yo hurdle last winter and valuable Curragh Flat handicap; ran to form on return from short break in finishing second to an improver in Grade 3 at Fairyhouse recently; respected on handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

22nd Mar 2025

Good

2m 3f 123y

Class 2

13:35 Bangor-on-Dee

Nusret

11st 10lb

J: Freddie Gordon

T: Nicky Henderson

Dual Flat winner and was a smart juvenile hurdler two seasons ago, winning twice and competitive at the top level; handicapped accordingly and left Joseph O'Brien under a bit of a cloud, albeit when highly tried; if as good as he was and not held back by his fitness after 233 days away, he'd go close; unraced over this far as a hurdler but stayed well on the Flat.

7/2

14th

6

1st Aug 2024

Good

2m 0f 11y

17:05 Galway

Nusret

10st 13lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Two wins on the Flat and a good juvenile hurdler two seasons ago, including winning the Grade 2 Adonis at Kempton; no match for Daddy Long Legs at Punchestown and down the field in the Ascot Stakes; others preferred.

14/1

11th

12

(8)

18th Jun 2024

Good To Firm

2m 3f 210y

Class 2

18:05 Ascot

Nusret

9st 3lb

J: Dylan Browne McMonagle

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Grade 1 placed as a juvenile hurdler in April 2023 and won a 1m6f Flat handicap at the Curragh that June; while his hurdles performances in December and this April were satisfactory, he appears to be much more interesting today away from soft ground (ran on good to firm just once, creditably) and with this new stamina test, which could be just his cup of tea.

14/1

Form: 202-20 D

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Dual winner over hurdles last season; signed off with a fine second in a Listed mares' hurdle at Punchestown; pick of recent form when second on handicap debut in quite valuable Down Royal contest, very tame recent Fairyhouse effort raises questions.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

13

4th Feb 2024

Soft

2m 0f 0y

15:50 Leopardstown

The Model Kingdom

10st 10lb

J: Liam McKenna

T: Noel Meade

Runner-up in Graded and Listed company as a novice and chased home Magic Tricks at Down Royal in November; well beaten last twice; can travel very well in her races but has found little for pressure in the past; others preferred.

14/1

8th

4

27th Dec 2023

Yielding To Soft

2m 0f 0y

14:20 Leopardstown

The Model Kingdom

11st 0lb

J: Michael O’Sullivan

T: Noel Meade

midfield, headway before 2 out

9/1

18th

7

3rd Dec 2023

Soft

2m 0f 0y

15:10 Fairyhouse

The Model Kingdom

10st 11lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Noel Meade

in touch with leaders, midfield after 1st

13/2

OUR TIP

Form: 0-1P18 D

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 140

Form & Verdict
Cheltenham bumper winner for John McConnell last season and won Bellewstown maiden hurdle this summer before switched to current yard, winning 2m4f Cheltenham novices' in October on preferred good ground; very disappointing on soft in Grade 1 Royal Bond however when let down by jumping; stiff enough task here on handicap debut for one so inexperienced.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

16th

5

4th Jul 2026

Good

2m 1f 40y

18:18 Bellewstown

Encanto Bruno

11st 9lb

J: Dylan Kidd

T: John C McConnell

Former smart bumper horse; career went downhill after C&D maiden hurdle win in 2023; soundly beaten over a longer trip than this at Kilbeggan last month.

20/1

6th

1

15th Jun 2026

Yielding To Soft

3m 0f 100y

19:42 Kilbeggan

Encanto Bruno

11st 12lb

J: Dylan Kidd

T: John C McConnell

Losing run stretches back to 2023 and two runs since coming back to this yard have not suggested that a return to winning ways is imminent; beaten 9.25l when third in four runner race at Clonmel latest; others preferred.

12/1

3rd

1

5th Jun 2026

Good

2m 3f 61y

19:20 Clonmel

Encanto Bruno

11st 6lb

J: Dylan Kidd

T: John C McConnell

Career peak came in 2023 when winning a novice hurdle at Cheltenham October meeting on first run for Gavin Cromwell; well beaten when runner-up over fences in April and June last year; returned to John McConnell, with whom he started his career, last time at Musselburgh back over hurdles but was disappointing; hard to fancy on current form.

8/1

Form: 6U-PP0 D

Last run: 10 days

W: 10st 13lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 129

Form & Verdict
Three wins for Gordon Elliott, including a maiden and novice hurdle a year ago; completely lost his way after that and recent debut run for current yard none too encouraging.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

5

20th Jan 2024

Frozen

2m 4f 0y

13:55 Navan

Itswhatunitesus

11st 7lb

J: Kieren Buckley

T: H Rogers

Won back-to-back over hurdles last season but has really struggled since and shown nothing in two runs for this yard.

33/1

10th

5

27th Dec 2023

Yielding To Soft

2m 0f 0y

14:20 Leopardstown

Itswhatunitesus

10st 13lb

J: Kieren Buckley

T: H Rogers

in rear, mistake 1st

33/1

10th

2

17th Dec 2023

Soft To Heavy

2m 4f 0y

13:10 Navan

Itswhatunitesus

11st 6lb

J: Kieren Buckley

T: H Rogers

towards rear

50/1

Form: 050F-5 D

Last run: 10 days

W: 10st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 124

Form & Verdict
Last win came in 2m1f Killaney handicap hurdle in July 2022; late inroads on recent seasonal return at Thurles so should come on for that and not one to rule out.
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: F579-6 CD

Last run: 226 days

W: 11st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 142

Form & Verdict
Four hurdle wins include very valuable C&D handicap at 2022 Dublin Racing Festival off 138; chasing of late, winning twice but exposed in handicap company towards end of last season; back hurdling on first start since May and may need it although rider's claim a positive.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

2

22nd Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 190y

Class 3

15:55 Newcastle

Call Me Lyreen

12st 1lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: Eloise Quayle

midfield

66/1

Form: 10504- D

Last run: 246 days

W: 10st 2lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Thurles maiden winner last season had been well held until career-best on final start when fourth in Punchestown mares' novice in April under forcing tactics; nicely treated with The Model Kingdom on that run but lack of a recent outing a concern in such a competitive handicap.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

2nd Oct 2024

Good

2m 1f 120y

14:25 Sligo

Still Ciel

12st 0lb

J: Ethan O’Sullivan

T: Henry De Bromhead

Decent level of chase form and bumped into an improver when just denied at Tramore last time; handy 7lb claimed and will handle an ease although doesn't want it too testing.

5/2

2nd

5

15th Aug 2024

Good

1m 7f 120y

17:20 Tramore

Still Ciel

11st 5lb

J: Rachael Blackmore

T: Henry De Bromhead

prominent, jumped left on occasions, led 2 out, headed run-in, kept on

3/1

4th

9

24th Jul 2024

Good

2m 0f 0y

14:28 Wexford

Still Ciel

11st 7lb

J: Rachael Blackmore

T: Henry De Bromhead

Point winner has a record of 1-10 over hurdles but has run creditably faced with stiff tasks at times; made a solid start to chasing when second to a better fancied stablemate at Tipperary; should go close with more to come.

7/4

Non-runners

Hey Johnny

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €39.80
Straight Forecast €48.65
Tricast €174.94
Trifecta €188.70

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Conyers Hill

The Irish Sun:

Still Ciel

TOPSPEED:

The Model Kingdom

RP RATINGS (IRE):

One Last Tango

POSTDATA:

Walhaan