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

6th

2

3rd Dec 2024

Yielding

2m 2f 62y

15:05 Clonmel

One Last Tango

11st 11lb

J: Mark Walsh

T: Eoin Griffin

Triple hurdle winner has been solid in three novice chases without really threatening; needs to jump better on handicap debut but should be a player if sharpening that up.

4/1

6th

2

3rd Dec 2024

Yielding

2m 2f 62y

15:05 Clonmel

One Last Tango

11st 11lb

J: Mark Walsh

T: Eoin Griffin

Triple hurdle winner has been solid in three novice chases without really threatening; needs to jump better on handicap debut but should be a player if sharpening that up.

4/1

4th

5

10th Nov 2024

Good

2m 0f 0y

15:10 Naas

One Last Tango

11st 12lb

J: Mark Walsh

T: Eoin Griffin

didn't always jump with fluency, in rear throughout

10/1

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

5th

11

7th Dec 2024

Good To Yielding

3m 1f 50y

13:42 Navan

Fortunedefortunata

10st 11lb

J: Jody McGarvey

T: Gordon Elliott

Course winner over 2m; made a bad mistake at the third when a remote ninth in a 2m6f contest here last month; not one of the more obvious staying types among the yard's seven runners.

25/1

5th

11

7th Dec 2024

Good To Yielding

3m 1f 50y

13:42 Navan

Fortunedefortunata

10st 11lb

J: Jody McGarvey

T: Gordon Elliott

Course winner over 2m; made a bad mistake at the third when a remote ninth in a 2m6f contest here last month; not one of the more obvious staying types among the yard's seven runners.

25/1

9th

3

17th Nov 2024

Good To Yielding

2m 6f 100y

13:55 Navan

Fortunedefortunata

11st 11lb

J: Sam Ewing

T: Gordon Elliott

midfield, bad mistake 3rd

25/1

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

7th

6

10th Dec 2024

Yielding

2m 0f 98y

11:50 Punchestown

Conyers Hill

11st 5lb

J: Jordan Gainford

T: Paul Nolan

128-rated hurdler with wins at Clonmel and Cork last season on soft/heavy and best efforts on final two starts when placed in competitive handicaps at Punchestown and Fairyhouse; soundly beaten in beginners' chases at Wexford and Tipperary.

12/1

7th

6

10th Dec 2024

Yielding

2m 0f 98y

11:50 Punchestown

Conyers Hill

11st 5lb

J: Jordan Gainford

T: Paul Nolan

128-rated hurdler with wins at Clonmel and Cork last season on soft/heavy and best efforts on final two starts when placed in competitive handicaps at Punchestown and Fairyhouse; soundly beaten in beginners' chases at Wexford and Tipperary.

12/1

6th

5

22nd Nov 2024

Yielding To Soft

2m 0f 90y

15:07 Tipperary

Conyers Hill

11st 12lb

J: Sean O’Keeffe

T: Paul Nolan

128-rated hurdler with wins at Clonmel and Cork last season on soft/heavy and best efforts on final two starts when placed in competitive handicaps at Punchestown and Fairyhouse; okay chase debut effort in good-class Wexford beginners last month and expected to come on for that.

14/1

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

5th

2

(5)

6th Dec 2024

Standard

1m 0f 0y

18:00 Dundalk (AW)

Walhaan

9st 11lb

J: Declan McDonogh

T: Ciaran Murphy

prominent

6/1

5th

2

(5)

6th Dec 2024

Standard

1m 0f 0y

18:00 Dundalk (AW)

Walhaan

9st 11lb

J: Declan McDonogh

T: Ciaran Murphy

prominent

6/1

4th

2

(3)

8th Nov 2024

Standard

1m 0f 0y

19:30 Dundalk (AW)

Walhaan

9st 11lb

J: Wayne Hassett

T: Ciaran Murphy

towards rear, headway into midfield after 1f, ran on well towards far side inside final furlong, went fourth towards finish, not reach leaders

8/1

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

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

17:05 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

5th

4

30th Apr 2024

Yielding

2m 0f 149y

16:15 Punchestown

Nusret

11st 8lb

J: J J Slevin

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Very useful dual-purpose 4yo; ran to form on return from short break when second to an improver in Grade 3 at Fairyhouse in December but ground against him on handicap debut at Leopardstown subsequently; remains potential improver on better ground.

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

2

5th Oct 2024

Good

2m 4f 0y

16:50 Gowran Park

Encanto Bruno

11st 12lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: Gavin Cromwell

led narrowly, pulled up when lost action after 4 out

9/2

2

12th May 2024

Good

2m 1f 0y

14:45 Killarney

Encanto Bruno

11st 12lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: Gavin Cromwell

Two bumper wins in 2022; best hurdles form when winning an Irish-dominated novice event at Cheltenham last October; finished last of eight in the Royal Bond before a distant ninth in a Leopardstown handicap at Christmas; heavy ground unsuitable then, this should be to his liking.

6/1

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

6th

7

(4)

5th Oct 2024

Good

1m 4f 0y

15:25 Curragh

Zoffanien

11st 1lb

J: Miss J Townend

T: Terence O’Brien

led, headed but prominent after 1f, no extra inside final furlong

5/1

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

16th

5

30th Apr 2024

Yielding

2m 0f 149y

16:15 Punchestown

Call Me Lyreen

11st 6lb

J: Carl Millar

T: Gordon Elliott

Won a big pot at Leopardstown a couple of years ago and had been chasing until recently, too keen and none too fluent on latest in Cork conditions hurdle; bit to prove now.

25/1

16th

5

30th Apr 2024

Yielding

2m 0f 149y

16:15 Punchestown

Call Me Lyreen

11st 6lb

J: Carl Millar

T: Gordon Elliott

Won a big pot at Leopardstown a couple of years ago and had been chasing until recently, too keen and none too fluent on latest in Cork conditions hurdle; bit to prove now.

25/1

3rd

2

31st Mar 2024

Soft To Heavy

2m 0f 0y

13:45 Cork

Call Me Lyreen

11st 2lb

J: Jordan Gainford

T: Gordon Elliott

didn't always jump with fluency, took keen hold, disputed lead early, raced in second from 1st, led before 2nd

5/2

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