March 05 / 16.40 Thurles

16.40

Soft

Holycross Maiden Hurdle

  • Prize money: £5130.43
  • 2m 4f 140y
  • 13 runners
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Holycross Maiden Hurdle

Runners: 13 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

15/2 (Won)

  • Win: £6.00
  • Place: £1.20

Form: 0984

Last run: 13 days

W: 11st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Maiden pointer never really involved when fourth on recent handicap debut at Punchestown over this trip; back in maiden company here with place prospects.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

7

29th Jan 2026

Soft To Heavy

2m 4f 198y

13:25 Thurles

John The Diva

11st 12lb

J: Phillip Enright

T: M A Cahill

Two wins over hurdles, including here; fair form in beginners', second in 17-runner contest over 2m4f at Gowran in November (heavy) and pair well clear when runner-up at Punchestown this month (22.5f, soft); big chance in a race of this standard.

2/1

3rd

10

25th Apr 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 6f 120y

19:25 Kilbeggan

John The Diva

11st 12lb

J: Phillip Enright

T: M A Cahill

midfield

16/1

3rd

10

25th Apr 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 6f 120y

19:25 Kilbeggan

John The Diva

11st 12lb

J: Phillip Enright

T: M A Cahill

midfield, headway and prominent 3 out, went third home turn, no impression approaching last

16/1

  • Place: £6.50

Form: 000

Last run: 53 days

W: 11st 5lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
First reserve; promise in point-to-points for Colin Bowe but three maiden hurdle runs this term disappointing.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

14

5th Mar 2024

Soft

2m 4f 140y

16:40 Thurles

Gentle Anna

11st 5lb

J: Philip Donovan

T: James Grace

First reserve; promise in point-to-points for Colin Bowe but three maiden hurdle runs this term disappointing.

16th

20

12th Jan 2024

Soft

2m 0f 0y

14:12 Naas

Gentle Anna

11st 5lb

J: Philip Donovan

T: James Grace

Showed promise in point-to-points for Colin Bowe; looked a likely winner when fell two out at Tinahely in November 2022; has struggled in two maiden hurdle outings at Cork.

100/1

OUR TIP

10/1

  • Place: £2.90

Form: 08-849

Last run: 67 days

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Not shamed in bumpers and promising hurdling debut fourth at Naas (soft) in December came after seven months off; fortnight later well below that level at Limerick on heavy.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

16

30th Aug 2024

Yielding

2m 4f 100y

17:05 Wexford

Jeronimo De Louch

11st 5lb

T: Michael G Kennedy

Second reserve; only 15-2 when pulled up on handicap debut after being placed in a maiden.

11th

6

31st May 2024

Soft

2m 5f 180y

17:20 Tramore

Jeronimo De Louch

11st 12lb

J: Jake Coen

T: Michael G Kennedy

Pulled up on handicap debut last time and probably up against it on chase debut now.

100/1

3

4th Apr 2024

Soft To Heavy

2m 7f 180y

16:50 Naas

Jeronimo De Louch

11st 12lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Michael G Kennedy

Ran okay in restricted maidens here and at Thurles (2m3f/2m4f); 5yo steps up in trip for handicap debut.

12/1

Form: PF-876

Last run: 17 days

W: 11st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Initial hurdles promise wasn't built on including twice in beginners chases for Gordon Elliott; bought from the Caldwell dispersal and poor first effort for current yard last month; back hurdling here with hood fitted and major chance if able to recapture his early form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

9

17th Jul 2026

Good

2m 7f 0y

16:17 Killarney

Malton Groove

10st 11lb

J: Patrick M O’Brien

T: Dermot A McLoughlin

Maiden in all spheres after 33 starts, but was second at Downpatrick on penultimate (3m, good), 0.5l behind Fr Gilligansvoyge; sent off favourite up in grade at Wexford last time (2m7f, good), but was a modest third; in the mix on his Downpatrick run, but his record is a concern.

8/1

3rd

12

30th Jun 2026

Good

2m 7f 0y

15:50 Wexford

Malton Groove

10st 0lb

J: Patrick M O’Brien

T: Dermot A McLoughlin

Maiden in all spheres after 32 starts but was second at Downpatrick last time over a similar trip; raised 1lb but is up in grade today, so needs a bit more.

11/1

2nd

7

13th Jun 2026

Good

2m 7f 150y

16:55 Downpatrick

Malton Groove

10st 11lb

J: Alix Balfe

T: Dermot A McLoughlin

Maiden in all spheres after 31 starts; has been well beaten on recent starts and isn't easy to fancy on that basis.

22/1

Form: 657

Last run: 36 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won her sole point-to-point for Pat Doyle over a year ago; easy enough to back and ordinary form in three runs for Gordon Elliott, weakening quite tamely last twice over hurdles; still warrants respect however in a much weaker maiden.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

5th Aug 2024

Good

2m 2f 100y

17:05 Cork

Sainte Baol

11st 6lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Gordon Elliott

Point-to-point winner's best maiden hurdle run came when beat 3.5l into fifth at Thurles in March (heavy ground); ran a nice race on handicap hurdle debut when fourth at Ballinrobe off 102; went close back in maiden company at Sligo over 2m2f on good ground last time out; not discounted back in a handicap.

15/2

2nd

8

11th Jun 2024

Good

2m 1f 182y

17:15 Sligo

Sainte Baol

11st 7lb

J: Carl Millar

T: Gordon Elliott

Stopped quickly in a Listowel handicap only ten days ago but a repeat of her previous fourth of 16 at Ballinrobe (another handicap) would see her on the scene in this company.

11/4

Form: 0800

Last run: 53 days

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Never better than mid-division in four maidens at 2m (attracting attention of Stewards on latest); upped in trip and drops in class so don't rule out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

7

12th Jul 2026

Good

2m 1f 90y

14:50 Sligo

Tell Us This

11st 3lb

J: Mike O’Connor

T: Andrew McNamara

Won a Tramore claimer comfortably in April and was a decent third in a Downpatrick handicap since for this yard; raised 1lb and can go well again.

6/1

3rd

3

22nd May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 2f 185y

17:52 Downpatrick

Tell Us This

11st 12lb

J: Brian Hayes

T: Andrew McNamara

Won over C&D last July and came back to form when a comfortable winner of a Tramore claiming hurdle last time; needs to do more back in handicap company but yard is maintaining its good form so respected.

7/2

Form: 6-U045

Last run: 67 days

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Was running a decent race when unseating at Listowel and best effort so far when fourth at Wexford (2m4f, heavy); below that level at Limerick over Christmas and cheekpieces now reached for.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

11

1st Nov 2025

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

15:04 Ayr

Balally Park

10st 8lb

J: Ross Chapman

T: Rebecca Menzies

0-16 but this 6yo has finished second on two of his last three hurdle starts, most recently at Kelso in September; mid-race unseat on chase debut since; each-way chance back hurdling.

9/1

Form: 554-

Last run: 531 days

W: 11st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Steadily progressive in three bumpers in 2022 but long absence since an obvious concern here on hurdles debut and market likely best guide.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

15

5th Apr 2026

Good To Yielding

3m 0f 15y

15:35 Cork

West Clare

10st 1lb

J: Josh Williamson

T: Brian M McMahon

Sole success at Listowel (2m6f, soft) in September 2024 off 7lb lower; only run four times since, all handicap chases, and off the track since a 31l defeat at Killarney in July 2025; has ability but might need this run.

14/1

5th

3

18th Jul 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

16:15 Killarney

West Clare

11st 11lb

J: Richard Deegan

T: Brian M McMahon

Off the mark over timber last year; getting better with each chase run this season and was only beaten 2l over this trip at Tipperary last time; big player from 2lb higher with untapped potential in this sphere.

5/1

10

1st Jul 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 7f 35y

15:48 Tipperary

West Clare

10st 11lb

J: John Shinnick

T: Brian M McMahon

Hurdles winner has to improve a fair bit from his second chase start at Roscommon last time.

12/1

Form: 0/P-44

Last run: 12 days

W: 11st 12lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Tailed off on recent comeback run here (3m); hard to fancy.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

17

21st Jul 2026

Good

2m 6f 41y

19:39 Ballinrobe

Leis Fein

10st 11lb

J: Conor Stone-Walsh

T: V T O’Brien

Never in the first three; getting on in years now andhard to make a case for him; only positive is that his trainer has always been associated with having fine record with veterans; first reserve.

13

4th Nov 2025

Soft

2m 0f 0y

14:15 Fairyhouse

Leis Fein

11st 4lb

J: Danny Gilligan

T: V T O’Brien

Well-exposed maiden, trainer's expertise with older horses is the main positive factor.

66/1

6th

13

4th Nov 2025

Soft

2m 0f 0y

14:15 Fairyhouse

Leis Fein

11st 4lb

J: Danny Gilligan

T: V T O’Brien

Well-exposed maiden, trainer's expertise with older horses is the main positive factor.

66/1

Form: 805

Last run: 12 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Beaten long way in two maidens, handicaps more her thing down the road.
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: 86660

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Has shown some ability in bumpers and a Limerick maiden hurdle but loads more needed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 187y

Class 3

14:40 Newbury

Rodney

11st 10lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Kerry Lee

Record 5-7 (hurdles/fences) for current yard and 3-3 since ridden by Charlie Deutsch; looked value for more than the winning margin at Ludlow (2m4f, soft) most recently; respected with further progress possible.

11/4

1st

1

4th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 4f 11y

Class 3

14:58 Ludlow

Rodney

12st 0lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Kerry Lee

Dual hurdle winner; fell when appearing to have it in the bag on his chase debut and perhaps remembering that tumble when below par next time; has since got himself firmly back on track with wins at Leicester (2m, good) and Hereford (2m5f, soft); benefited from sitting off a strong pace last time and has gone up 10lb, but looks a chaser on the upgrade.

5/4

Form: 09P

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Three maiden runs haven't amounted to much, very hard to fancy.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

5th Mar 2024

Soft

2m 4f 140y

16:40 Thurles

Tellmeyourtroubles

11st 12lb

J: Shane O’Callaghan

T: Gerard Kelleher

Three maiden runs haven't amounted to much, very hard to fancy.

25/1

0

12

30th Jan 2024

Soft To Heavy

2m 0f 0y

14:35 Limerick

Tellmeyourtroubles

11st 12lb

J: Shane O’Callaghan

T: Gerard Kelleher

No show on debut in a Cork maiden hurdle; mid-field over C&D five weeks ago.

50/1

Form: 076

Last run: 13 days

W: 11st 5lb

7 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Bumper debut and two runs in maiden hurdles haven't amounted to much; handicaps more likely her forte.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13

29th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 4f 0y

15:25 Thurles

Bee Bright

10st 7lb

J: Ryan Treacy

T: Timothy Doyle

Weak form in maidens; pulled up here in November after a long layoff; nothing to recommend, blinkered for the first time.

40/1

11

5th Mar 2024

Soft

2m 4f 140y

16:40 Thurles

Bee Bright

11st 5lb

J: Mr D Doyle

T: Timothy Doyle

Bumper debut and two runs in maiden hurdles haven't amounted to much; handicaps more likely her forte.

25/1

Non-runners

Cornmarket, Lispopple, Stradbally Village

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €158.10
Straight Forecast €106.01
Trifecta €1228.00

Selections

The Irish Sun:

Balally Park

RP RATINGS (IRE):

Sainte Baol

POSTDATA:

John The Diva

SPOTLIGHT:

Malton Groove