February 08 / 13.20 Thurles

13.20

Yielding To Soft

Horse & Jockey Beginners Chase

  • Prize money: £5643.48
  • 2m 0f 70y
  • 10 runners
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Horse & Jockey Beginners Chase

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Rain and snow

Form: 48/334 D

Last run: 39 days

W: 11st 12lb

8 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Smart hurdler is a dual Grade 2 winner and Grade 1 placed; decent chasing debut over 2m2f here behind recent Grade 1 winner Il Etait Temps (4.5l behind Ho My Lord) was followed by a similar hurdle run; should be closely involved.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

1st Jul 2025

Good To Firm

2m 0f 213y

Class 3

18:18 Stratford

Aspire Tower

11st 10lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Jennie Candlish

Smart hurdler in his prime and a dual chase winner for Henry de Bromhead this spring (2m, yielding/good); held every chance before last-flight mishap in French hurdle race on recent stable debut and commands respect on this return to fences.

3/1

1st

1

17th May 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

16:45 Wexford

Aspire Tower

11st 12lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Henry De Bromhead

Dual Grade 2 hurdles winner in his pomp back in 2020/21; missed two full seasons before returning in October 2023 and hasn't looked the same horse, though he has won twice this season, including decent C&D beginners' chase last month (yielding); okay handicap debut run in competitive Punchestown contest since, this looks much easier despite the weight concession.

4/7

1st

1

17th May 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

16:45 Wexford

Aspire Tower

11st 12lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Henry De Bromhead

Dual Grade 2 hurdles winner in his pomp back in 2020/21; missed two full seasons before returning in October 2023 and hasn't looked the same horse, though he has won twice this season, including decent C&D beginners' chase last month (yielding); okay handicap debut run in competitive Punchestown contest since, this looks much easier despite the weight concession.

4/7

Form: 06/007

Last run: 33 days

W: 11st 12lb

9 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Useful dual hurdle winner in 2021 and ran well in defeat in some strong contests; hasn't recaptured that level of form in three starts after a long absence and is best watched on chasing debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

3rd Oct 2025

Good

2m 3f 104y

Class 3

16:13 Fontwell

Ballywilliam Boy

11st 5lb

J: Freddie Mitchell

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Poor strike-rate and both wins were in Ireland; mostly consistent in small-field chases this season and the return of blinkers is a probable plus after trying a visor last time; has been running over shorter but stays this far; versatile ground-wise.

5/1

4th

3

6th Sep 2025

Good To Firm

2m 0f 213y

Class 3

17:22 Stratford

Ballywilliam Boy

11st 2lb

J: Freddie Mitchell

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Yet to add to his two Irish hurdle wins in 2021 but consistent in small-field chases this season, with best run arguably his second of five at Uttoxeter (2m, good) two starts ago; swaps usual blinkers for first-time visor; will probably be on the premises again.

7/1

3rd

2

30th Aug 2025

Good

2m 0f 75y

Class 3

15:20 Newton Abbot

Ballywilliam Boy

11st 0lb

J: Freddie Mitchell

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Won on soft ground in Ireland; 0-6 over fences but back in good form of late, albeit in tiny fields; not the easiest to win with but has claims.

7/2

OUR TIP

Form: 3746

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Maiden has shown some ability over hurdles; well beaten on chasing debut and has a tough task today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

14

25th May 2026

Good

2m 6f 100y

17:35 Ballinrobe

Burru

10st 6lb

J: Michael Kenneally

T: Bernard Martin Crowley

After a layoff and on first start since rejoining stable, was back to winning ways, despite not jumping fluently, in 2m4f handicap hurdle at Killarney (gd-yld); raised 6lb and now steps up in grade; will need a career best to follow up.

11/2

1st

14

11th May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 4f 50y

18:07 Killarney

Burru

10st 5lb

J: Michael Kenneally

T: Bernard Martin Crowley

Only 1-13 over hurdles and absent since pulling up in a Cork handicap in November; others preferred on yard debut.

20/1

7

2nd Nov 2025

Yielding

2m 4f 0y

15:55 Cork

Burru

11st 8lb

J: Jordan Gainford

T: Liam Kenny

Winner of this race last year off 6lb lower; placed in three of his six starts since joining this stable this year; fair third in a 17-runner contest at Listowel; mid-division at Punchestown last time.

7/1

Form: 213-25 D

Last run: 43 days

W: 11st 12lb

9 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Useful winning hurdler ran a cracker on chasing debut at Fairyhouse behind smart stablemate Mister Policeman; however, weakened badly at Leopardstown since and has to bounce back.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13

3rd May 2024

Good To Yielding

2m 4f 55y

16:15 Punchestown

Feu Du Bresil

10st 7lb

J: Brian Hayes

T: W P Mullins

Progressive 2m hurdler last season; second to stablemate Mister Policeman on chase debut at Fairyhouse in November; now 19lb better off but hard to be confident based on subsequent form; some encouragement from last week's Perth second, potentially well handicapped

12/1

13

3rd May 2024

Good To Yielding

2m 4f 55y

16:15 Punchestown

Feu Du Bresil

10st 7lb

J: Brian Hayes

T: W P Mullins

Progressive 2m hurdler last season; second to stablemate Mister Policeman on chase debut at Fairyhouse in November; now 19lb better off but hard to be confident based on subsequent form; some encouragement from last week's Perth second, potentially well handicapped

12/1

2nd

3

25th Apr 2024

Soft

2m 4f 20y

Class 2

16:10 Perth

Feu Du Bresil

11st 6lb

J: Brian Hayes

T: W P Mullins

Progressive 2m hurdler last season; good second to a stable companion on chase debut at Fairyhouse in November (2m, soft/heavy); disappointing in better company since; down in grade but a bit to prove, including his stamina (first run at this trip).

5/2

Abandoned

Form: 14C-66

Last run: 14 days

W: 11st 12lb

9 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Maiden hurdle winner was well beaten behind stablemate Gaelic Warrior on chasing debut but a better effort when beaten by another stablemate at Gowran since; has to find improvement.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

30th May 2025

Good

2m 0f 213y

Class 5

20:45 Stratford

Figaroc

11st 12lb

J: Mr Edward Vaughan

T: Alexandra Dunn

Player on winter 2024's frame finishes in 2m chases for Willie Mullins, albeit gained on soft/heavy; dispiriting return following wind surgery in a Fakenham claiming hurdle latest, from which cheekpieces are retained.

16/1

3

30th May 2025

Good

2m 0f 213y

Class 5

20:45 Stratford

Figaroc

11st 12lb

J: Mr Edward Vaughan

T: Alexandra Dunn

Player on winter 2024's frame finishes in 2m chases for Willie Mullins, albeit gained on soft/heavy; dispiriting return following wind surgery in a Fakenham claiming hurdle latest, from which cheekpieces are retained.

16/1

5th

3

6th May 2025

Good

2m 0f 3y

Class 4

14:15 Fakenham

Figaroc

11st 8lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Alexandra Dunn

soon prominent, lost position after 3 out, weakened after 2 out

12/1

Form: 9P-2U5 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Useful hurdler was 4.5l in front of Aspire Tower on chasing debut over 2m2f here; was still going ok when unseating 2 out at Leopardstown next time but seemed to find 2m4f in testing ground a bit much at Gowran last time; this will should suit better and a big player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

10th Apr 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 3f 100y

18:03 Wexford

Ho My Lord

11st 4lb

J: Peter Smithers

T: Padraig Roche

No success yet over fences and is beginning to look well exposed, the addition of cheekpieces (replaced here by blinkers) failing to bring improvement the last twice; declining mark but hard to fancy, although better ground in his favour.

14/1

7

2nd Oct 2025

Good

3m 0f 0y

17:00 Clonmel

Ho My Lord

11st 3lb

J: Peter Smithers

T: Padraig Roche

Cheekpieces are reached for following underwhelming run behind Ocean Of Mercy at Kilbeggan latest when 7.5l behind off level weights; may get closer now but in general 10 chasing runs have been middling.

7/1

3rd

3

5th Sep 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 4f 95y

18:07 Kilbeggan

Ho My Lord

11st 12lb

J: Peter Smithers

T: Padraig Roche

Is 0-9 chasing but a couple of placed-finishes; okay runs this year and his 7.5l fourth off 128 in a handicap around here last time was one of his best (3m2f, good to yielding); sets the standard on ratings.

11/4

Abandoned

Form: 9750P7

Last run: 15 days

W: 11st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Yet to finish in the first four in bumpers and hurdles; way out of his depth.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

16

21st May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 1f 157y

16:43 Limerick

Max Time

10st 0lb

J: Paddy Cleary

T: I Madden

Galway win in September 2024 was a flash in the pan; unplaced in 33 of his 34 starts; pulled up in 3m handicap hurdle at Punchestown last week.

66/1

18

13th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 0y

19:50 Punchestown

Max Time

10st 2lb

J: Paddy Cleary

T: I Madden

Galway win in September 2024 was a flash in the pan; unplaced in 31 of his 32 starts; beaten 27l at Thurles when last seen in January.

40/1

Form: -16223 C

Last run: 83 days

W: 11st 12lb

9 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Quality three-time hurdle winner has run with credit on both chase starts this term, in a Grade 3 at Cork and Grade 2 at Cheltenham; a repeat of those runs will put him firmly in the mix.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

6th Oct 2024

Yielding

2m 0f 50y

15:40 Tipperary

Mighty Tom

11st 1lb

J: Jordan Gainford

T: Cian Collins

held up in rear, headway and went third halfway, weakened before 2 out, dropped to rear approaching last

11/2

Form: -0F066

Last run: 12 days

W: 11st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Showed some promise in bumpers but has been soundly beaten over hurdles; loads to find.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Abandoned

Form: 230-33 C

Last run: 76 days

W: 11st 12lb

8 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Quality hurdler is rated 134 in that sphere; solid third places in both chase starts this season, including when 1.5l behind Feu Du Bresil at Fairyhouse last time; has to find some improvement but can run well.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

3

2nd Feb 2025

Yielding

2m 5f 107y

14:45 Leopardstown

Pinkerton

11st 9lb

J: Donagh Meyler

T: Noel Meade

Last summer's Galway Plate winner has posted better RPR's in defeat in finishing second in Grade 2 at Down Royal and here at Christmas when staying-on third in 3m Paddy Power Handicap; not sure he wants ground this soft but respected.

7/1

13th

3

2nd Feb 2025

Yielding

2m 5f 107y

14:45 Leopardstown

Pinkerton

11st 9lb

J: Donagh Meyler

T: Noel Meade

Last summer's Galway Plate winner has posted better RPR's in defeat in finishing second in Grade 2 at Down Royal and here at Christmas when staying-on third in 3m Paddy Power Handicap; not sure he wants ground this soft but respected.

7/1

3rd

6

27th Dec 2024

Good To Yielding

3m 0f 100y

15:00 Leopardstown

Pinkerton

11st 9lb

J: Mr R James

T: Noel Meade

visibility reduced by fog, towards rear, hampered by faller 5th

16/1

Non-runners

Zanahiyr

Verdict

A quality beginners’ chase. ZANAHIYR was a high-class hurdler and, while he was well beaten by Fact To File on chasing debut, there was no disgrace in that and he can take this with a better round of jumping. There shouldn’t be much between Aspire Tower and Ho My Lord on their previous chase meeting at this track. Mighty Tom should be in the mix too. [Tyrone Molloy]

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Zanahiyr

The Irish Sun:

Mighty Tom

RP RATINGS (IRE):

Aspire Tower

TOPSPEED:

Zanahiyr

POSTDATA:

Zanahiyr