February 08 / 15.40 Thurles

15.40

Yielding To Soft

www.thurlesraces.ie Maiden Hurdle

  • Prize money: £5130.43
  • 2m 3f 167y
  • 17 runners
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www.thurlesraces.ie Maiden Hurdle

Runners: 17 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Rain and snow

OUR TIP

Form: 13P

Last run: 63 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Bumper winner for Rose Dobbin; respectable third in a Fairyhouse maiden hurdle in November when jumping sketchily; pulled up lame at Clonmel in December when last seen; the one to beat here and will scarcely get a better opportunity.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
First foal; dam unraced half-sister to 1m4f Flat/2m-2m4f jumps winner Eye Candy, 2m2f hurdle winner Ballyvoque and bumper/2m-2m5f jumps winner Verona Opera; stoutly bred newcomer but best watched.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

6

22nd Sep 2024

Good

2m 0f 0y

17:00 Listowel

Golden Regal

12st 0lb

J: Mr P W Gleeson

T: Seamus G O’Donnell

Weakened late when reverting to bumper at Killarney last month; others much more likely.

100/1

5th

2

24th Aug 2024

Good

2m 0f 100y

17:55 Killarney

Golden Regal

11st 7lb

J: Mr P W Gleeson

T: Seamus G O’Donnell

towards rear, headway under 3f out, briefly went fourth under 2f out, weakened quickly over 1f out

100/1

7

3rd Aug 2024

Good

2m 0f 175y

13:55 Galway

Golden Regal

11st 12lb

J: J J Slevin

T: Seamus G O’Donnell

midfield, mistake and unseated 4 out

100/1

Form: P0

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Nothing to recommed on either start and makes no appeal here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

21st Aug 2024

Yielding

3m 1f 98y

19:40 Sligo

Granco Rof

10st 10lb

J: Jack Kearney

T: Cian Collins

Opening two handicap efforts have been underwhelming; needs more respite from the handicapper.

16/1

7th

9

6th Jul 2024

Good

2m 4f 110y

19:00 Bellewstown

Granco Rof

11st 4lb

J: Jack Kearney

T: Cian Collins

Beaten 38l on handicap debut at Ballinrobe last time and has to improve loads with blinkers worn then retained.

22/1

13th

3

28th May 2024

Good To Yielding

2m 6f 74y

19:30 Ballinrobe

Granco Rof

11st 12lb

J: Liam McKenna

T: Cian Collins

More encouraging Clonmel maiden run latest; blinkers replace cheekpieces here and potential improver upped in trip for handicap debut.

10/1

Form: 65

Last run: 42 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Improved on his second start when fifth in a Limerick maiden hurdle at Christmas; can get into the shake-up here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

10

15th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 5f 0y

12:23 Fairyhouse

Our Boy Rocky

11st 3lb

J: Brian Hayes

T: Liam P Cusack

Lightly raced; won Thurles maiden hurdle (2m4f, heavy) in February 2024; tailed off on both tries over fences; faces a stiff task against that background, although stamina was stretched on latest.

16/1

Form: P

Last run: 109 days

W: 11st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Pulled up in a Limerick maiden hurdle in October; tongue-tie tried here but hard to fancy.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12

22nd Nov 2024

Yielding To Soft

2m 4f 90y

13:22 Tipperary

Pharney Soldier

11st 4lb

J: Ambrose McCurtin

T: David Richard Barry

Huge prices and has shown nothing in two hurdle starts.

150/1

12

22nd Nov 2024

Yielding To Soft

2m 4f 90y

13:22 Tipperary

Pharney Soldier

11st 4lb

J: Ambrose McCurtin

T: David Richard Barry

Huge prices and has shown nothing in two hurdle starts.

150/1

Form: 09

Last run: 15 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Well beaten in two maiden hurdles and looks a big outsider here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

3rd Jul 2025

Good

2m 7f 207y

Class 5

16:55 Perth

Shuil Na Tra

11st 10lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Iain Jardine

Ex-Irish 7yo with 1-10 strike-rate over hurdles, the win gained at Sligo (3m1f, soft) last summer; out of form when last seen in the winter; considered only if lively in the betting before this stable debut.

14/1

12

27th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 7f 0y

16:10 Punchestown

Shuil Na Tra

11st 4lb

J: G B Noonan

T: Norman Lee

Big-priced winner over 3m2f at Sligo last summer on soft but pulled up on two of three outings since, including at Limerick last month after mistake four out; hard to be confident in.

16/1

19th

12

27th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 7f 0y

16:10 Punchestown

Shuil Na Tra

11st 4lb

J: G B Noonan

T: Norman Lee

Big-priced winner over 3m2f at Sligo last summer on soft but pulled up on two of three outings since, including at Limerick last month after mistake four out; hard to be confident in.

16/1

Form: 3336

Last run: 43 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Similar level of form when placed in three bumpers; well below his best at Leopardstown last time; respected on his hurdles debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

5th Apr 2026

Good To Yielding

3m 0f 15y

15:35 Cork

Toor Khov

11st 1lb

J: Liam Quinlan

T: Ms M Flynn

Maiden hurdle winner; landed a beginners' chase at Thurles (2m5f, heavy) in January; had some of these behind when good second back over hurdles over this C&D latest (Jeriko De Baune third); quicker ground fine and in the mix again off just 1lb higher.

13/2

2nd

8

19th Mar 2026

Yielding To Soft

3m 0f 45y

16:30 Cork

Toor Khov

10st 13lb

J: Danny Mullins

T: Ms M Flynn

Tipperary maiden hurdle winner in May 2024; stepped up from his fair hurdles form with a winning chase debut at Thurles, accounting for Insouciant Dallier with a bit to spare; faller on latest.

8/1

1

5th Mar 2026

Soft To Heavy

2m 5f 110y

14:58 Thurles

Toor Khov

12st 1lb

J: Liam Quinlan

T: Ms M Flynn

Tipperary maiden hurdle winner in May 2024; stepped up from this season's hurdles form with a winning chase debut over C&D; leading chance despite a big burden for his first handicap.

13/2

Form: 09

Last run: 15 days

W: 10st 11lb

6 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Tailed off in two maiden hurdles and makes no appeal.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

7

11th Apr 2025

Good

2m 5f 110y

18:47 Ballinrobe

But What About Me

10st 10lb

J: Tiernan Power Roche

T: Norman Lee

Still had a chance when falling at the last at Sligo last August but was disappointing twice after; needs to repeat that earlier form.

16/1

7th

7

11th Apr 2025

Good

2m 5f 110y

18:47 Ballinrobe

But What About Me

10st 10lb

J: Tiernan Power Roche

T: Norman Lee

Still had a chance when falling at the last at Sligo last August but was disappointing twice after; needs to repeat that earlier form.

16/1

9

30th Sep 2024

Yielding To Soft

2m 4f 63y

16:00 Roscommon

But What About Me

11st 3lb

J: Robbie Geoghegan

T: Norman Lee

Was running a big race when fell at the last at Sligo; however, was poor behind Max Time at Galway since; back on soft can help.

10/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 10st 11lb

6 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won the third of her points at Turtulla last month; best watched but could go well.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form:

Last run: 44 days

W: 10st 11lb

6 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Soundly beaten in an admittedly much better maiden at Leopardstown; others more likely.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

16

13th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

19:30 Sligo

Manhattan Brook

10st 1lb

J: Rachael Blackmore

T: Adrian Murray

Looked of little account in first seven starts but much improved performance when an 11l fourth of 16 off this mark at Kilbeggan (24.5f, yielding) last time; the drop back to 2m4f is a plus on that evidence; each way claims.

14/1

6th

16

13th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

19:30 Sligo

Manhattan Brook

10st 1lb

J: Rachael Blackmore

T: Adrian Murray

Looked of little account in first seven starts but much improved performance when an 11l fourth of 16 off this mark at Kilbeggan (24.5f, yielding) last time; the drop back to 2m4f is a plus on that evidence; each way claims.

14/1

4th

16

25th Apr 2025

Good To Yielding

3m 0f 70y

17:55 Kilbeggan

Manhattan Brook

10st 3lb

J: Conor Stone-Walsh

T: Adrian Murray

Poor on all hurdle starts and isn't easy to fancy; cheekpieces retained.

66/1

Form: 9

Last run: 266 days

W: 10st 11lb

6 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Down the field but not beaten far in a Tipperary bumper in May won by Readin Tommy Wrong; no run since but no real surprise if she was competitive here on her hurdles debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

9

11th May 2024

Good

3m 0f 120y

17:05 Cork

Miss D Hunter

11st 11lb

J: Rachael Blackmore

T: Mrs Lorna Fowler

midfield

6/1

7th

9

11th May 2024

Good

3m 0f 120y

17:05 Cork

Miss D Hunter

11st 11lb

J: Rachael Blackmore

T: Mrs Lorna Fowler

midfield, headway 3 out, no impression from 2 out

6/1

5th

9

14th Apr 2024

Soft

2m 3f 170y

13:55 Down Royal

Miss D Hunter

10st 13lb

J: Rachael Blackmore

T: Mrs Lorna Fowler

Half-sister to useful 2m5f hurdles winner Dr Sanderson; respectable bumper debut last May but hasn't impressed in jumping on both attempts hurdling on more testing ground; possibly more one for handicaps.

12/1

Form: 465

Last run: 15 days

W: 10st 11lb

6 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Point winner and a close fourth in a Punchestown bumper on debut; not as effective in a bumper and a maiden hurdle since but has shown herself capable of better.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

16th May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 4f 0y

14:05 Wexford

Roxhill Roise

11st 8lb

J: Eoghan Finegan

T: Ciaran Murphy

Totally lost form since adding second hurdles win at Tramore in November 2024; tongue tie on now, but others more likely.

40/1

10

29th Jan 2026

Soft To Heavy

2m 4f 198y

13:25 Thurles

Roxhill Roise

11st 5lb

J: Danny Gilligan

T: David M O’Brien

Both hurdle wins at Tramore at this trip on testing ground; inadequate trip on Clonmel chase debut; finished last of the finishers in course handicap on latest; likely to need more time.

16/1

1

4th Nov 2025

Soft

3m 0f 0y

15:45 Fairyhouse

Roxhill Roise

12st 0lb

J: Eoin Staples

T: David M O’Brien

Won off 5lb lower at Tramore last November (2m5f, sft-hvy); poor off revised mark twice since and has been off the track since a poor Punchestown run in February; best watched.

18/1

Form: 0-00F

Last run: 79 days

W: 10st 11lb

5 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Well beaten in three completed maiden hurdles; hard to fancy here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

16

25th Jul 2024

Good

3m 0f 0y

18:05 Wexford

Sky Tempest

10st 6lb

J: J J Slevin

T: Louise G Lyons

Second reserve; shown very little in nine starts so far; wears first-time blinkers.

15

15th Jun 2024

Good

2m 5f 180y

14:50 Downpatrick

Sky Tempest

11st 7lb

J: Mr D Doyle

T: Louise G Lyons

Shown very little in eight starts so far, failing to complete in three of her last five starts.

33/1

Form: 8

Last run: 33 days

W: 10st 11lb

6 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Last of eight in a Cork bumper last month when not getting home; ran better than her finishing position and could do better here on her hurdles bow.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14

29th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 4f 0y

15:25 Thurles

Venturi Effect

10st 7lb

J: Cian Quirke

T: Timothy Doyle

Has struggled in four maiden outings at this venue; tailed off in November after lengthy absence; cheekpieces added for handicap debut.

40/1

10th

13

5th Mar 2024

Soft

2m 4f 140y

16:40 Thurles

Venturi Effect

11st 5lb

J: Ambrose McCurtin

T: Timothy Doyle

Beaten long way in two maidens, handicaps more her thing down the road.

33/1

Form: P9P

Last run: 41 days

W: 11st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
First reserve; has shown nothing in three starts and makes no appeal.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

13th Feb 2024

Heavy

2m 3f 167y

15:43 Thurles

Western Express

11st 4lb

J: Ricky Doyle

T: Ronald O’Leary

Has shown nothing in three starts and makes no appeal.

100/1

0

4

29th Dec 2023

Heavy

2m 3f 0y

14:35 Limerick

Western Express

11st 12lb

J: Ricky Doyle

T: Ronald O’Leary

Big prices and has shown nothing in first two outings.

50/1

Abandoned

Form:

Last run: 44 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Second reserve; well beaten on debut in a good Leopardstown maiden hurdle; should progress.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

24

29th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 3f 58y

14:30 Punchestown

Aurea Fortuna

11st 2lb

J: Harry Sexton

T: A J Martin

Course 2m7f winner over fences; may have needed chase run early this month after a break; not without a chance despite a mark 6lb higher than his chase rating.

12/1

9th

13

4th Apr 2026

Yielding To Soft

2m 5f 45y

15:15 Fairyhouse

Aurea Fortuna

10st 6lb

J: Miss A B O’Connor

T: A J Martin

Comfortably justified favouritism at Punchestown last October (2m7f, good to yielding) when returned to fences, adding to his summer hurdles win at Galway; a long way below his best on heavy at Cheltenham in November; better at Leopardstown at Christmas; trainer has saddled the winner of this in two of the last three seasons; Aine O'Connor won it in 2017.

13/2

Form: P

Last run: 43 days

W: 10st 11lb

6 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Third reserve; showed little on her Leopardstown bumper debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

2

16th Oct 2025

Good

2m 6f 154y

17:00 Thurles

Vroomvroomboo

11st 8lb

J: Niall Moore

T: James Andrew Fahey

Some decent efforts in defeat in handicaps on good ground; well held on recent chasing debut and back hurdling.

14/1

5th

10

1st Oct 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 5f 27y

15:35 Sligo

Vroomvroomboo

11st 5lb

J: Philip Donovan

T: James Andrew Fahey

Maiden after 10 hurdles starts; some good runs but not the last twice and has to do much better on chasing debut.

20/1

Verdict

Few of these make any appeal. Toor Khov has shown decent bumper form and Our Boy Rocky is respected on his maiden form so far. The one to beat looks like ST CUTHBERT’S CAVE whose last run can be forgiven after a good debut at Fairyhouse in November. [Justin O’Hanlon]

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

St Cuthbert's Cave

RP RATINGS (IRE):

St Cuthbert's Cave

POSTDATA:

St Cuthbert's Cave

The Irish Sun:

St Cuthbert's Cave