October 24 / 15.38 Clonmel

15.38

Good To Yielding

Rathgormack Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £7439.13
  • 2m 3f 118y
  • 11 runners
RTV
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Rathgormack Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

6/1 (Won)

  • Win: £4.40
  • Place: £1.80

Form: 7-1310 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 6lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
Off the mark in a 2m3f Kilbeggan maiden hurdle in May on his third start; jumping let him down when dropped in trip at Sligo on handicap debut; won well at Wexford in July despite not jumping too fluently; went up 10lb and failed to make his presence felt at Listowel.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

16

1st Feb 2026

Soft To Heavy

2m 5f 107y

14:45 Leopardstown

Win Some Lose Some

10st 5lb

J: Aidan Kelly

T: Padraig Roche

Four hurdle wins including at this track; the best of four chase runs came when third to Oscars Brother in a Galway beginners'; poor since but is capable of better, so not dismissed.

12/1

11

26th Oct 2025

Yielding

2m 6f 111y

13:25 Galway

Win Some Lose Some

11st 12lb

J: Aidan Kelly

T: Padraig Roche

Won four of 11 starts over hurdles including a Pertemps qualifier at Leopardstown last Christmas; down the field in the Final at Cheltenham; staying type, should make a useful chaser in time.

8/1

8th

6

1st May 2025

Yielding

2m 7f 110y

16:15 Punchestown

Win Some Lose Some

11st 5lb

J: Aidan Kelly

T: Padraig Roche

Barely sighted when only 8-1 for the Pertemps Final but had won four of his previous seven over hurdles including a qualifier for that race at Leopardstown; finds himself 10lb higher but likely that he has more in the locker.

14/1

3/1

  • Place: £1.70

Form: 30/433

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Bumper winner; 0-6 hurdling; fair third to Presenting Lad in 2m Kilbeggan handicap last month; likely would have gone closer but for being hampered home turn and stumbling last; reversed form with Presenting Lad at Tipperary when close up in third behind useful Flat handicapper Extensio.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

5th Aug 2025

Yielding

2m 0f 142y

18:55 Roscommon

Old Bill Barley

11st 12lb

J: Kieran Callaghan

T: W P Mullins

Bumper winner failed to get his head in front over hurdles (0-8, rated 117); lacks chasing experience and probably best watched on his first start over fences after a 248 day absence.

15/2

13th

11

30th Nov 2024

Yielding

2m 4f 55y

15:05 Fairyhouse

Old Bill Barley

11st 1lb

J: Kieran Callaghan

T: W P Mullins

in touch with leaders

7/1

13th

11

30th Nov 2024

Yielding

2m 4f 55y

15:05 Fairyhouse

Old Bill Barley

11st 1lb

J: Kieran Callaghan

T: W P Mullins

in touch with leaders

7/1

6/1

  • Place: £2.20

Form: P-2923

Last run: 62 days

W: 10st 13lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Flat winner in France early in her career; placed in four of her 12 starts over hurdles; best effort was when second over 2m at this venue in April when 5l in front of fourth-placed Zolpharine; faced a stiff task in a Kilbeggan novice event in August.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

1st Jul 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 7f 35y

15:48 Tipperary

Karacole

11st 2lb

J: Patrick M O’Brien

T: James M Barcoe

Flat winner is a maiden over jumps; well beaten in beginners' chases and needs to do much better on h'cap debut.

22/1

12

1st Jun 2025

Yielding

2m 4f 80y

16:22 Kilbeggan

Karacole

11st 5lb

J: J J Slevin

T: James M Barcoe

Flat winner who is 0-14 over hurdles and very opposable on recent chasing exploits.

100/1

12

1st Jun 2025

Yielding

2m 4f 80y

16:22 Kilbeggan

Karacole

11st 5lb

J: J J Slevin

T: James M Barcoe

Flat winner who is 0-14 over hurdles and very opposable on recent chasing exploits.

100/1

OUR TIP

Form: 5-3260

Last run: 83 days

W: 11st 12lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Decent form over fences this season but failed to make any impression from a lower hurdles mark at the Galway festival; three Flat wins but strike-rate of 1-19 over jumps is off-putting; big burden here, others preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

24th Oct 2024

Good To Yielding

2m 3f 118y

15:38 Clonmel

Great Bear

11st 12lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Henry De Bromhead

not fluent 2nd

10/1

Form: 4163-9 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Won two of his last five starts last season and was beaten only 2l in third on his final start of the campaign at Cork over 3m in March; big price when down the field on his reappearance at Listowel; should be sharper now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

12th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 172y

19:58 Sligo

Jeriko De Baune

11st 12lb

J: Niall Moore

T: Philip Fenton

Three-time winner over hurdles, the latest at Clonmel last November off 3lb lower (3m, soft); pulled up on latest but has run well here before so could rebound; place shout.

10/1

5

5th Apr 2026

Good To Yielding

3m 0f 15y

15:35 Cork

Jeriko De Baune

11st 2lb

J: Niall Moore

T: Philip Fenton

Won at Clonmel in November off 3lb lower; bounced back to form after three poor runs with a 5l third of 10 over C&D 17 days ago (1.5l behind Toor Khov); not guaranteed to back that effort up but place claims at least if he does.

8/1

3rd

6

19th Mar 2026

Yielding To Soft

3m 0f 45y

16:30 Cork

Jeriko De Baune

11st 1lb

J: Niall Moore

T: Philip Fenton

Useful staying type in this grade when on song; has posted three moderate efforts since winning over 3m at Clonmel in November.

12/1

Form: 22P-15 D

Last run: 150 days

W: 11st 2lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Gained his third hurdles win in a 3m handicap at Tipperary in May; not beaten far in fifth off this mark at Ballinrobe later that month; most effective form 2m4f upwards, but this trip should be fine; possible he will need the run after a break.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

7th Mar 2026

Heavy

2m 0f 50y

15:08 Gowran Park

Junior Rattler

11st 11lb

J: Jack G Gilligan

T: Oliver McKiernan

Gained his third hurdles win in a 3m handicap at Tipperary in May 2024; missed 2025; inadequate trip here on his first since late-2024.

20/1

18th

23

28th Dec 2024

Good To Yielding

2m 7f 80y

15:05 Leopardstown

Junior Rattler

10st 0lb

J: Phillip Enright

T: Oliver McKiernan

Gained his third hurdles win in a 3m handicap at Tipperary in May; not far off his best when second over 2m4f at Cork on latest; 4lb out of handicap but respected as a possible each-way option.

16/1

18th

23

28th Dec 2024

Good To Yielding

2m 7f 80y

15:05 Leopardstown

Junior Rattler

10st 0lb

J: Phillip Enright

T: Oliver McKiernan

Gained his third hurdles win in a 3m handicap at Tipperary in May; not far off his best when second over 2m4f at Cork on latest; 4lb out of handicap but respected as a possible each-way option.

16/1

Form: P90610 CD

Last run: 9 days

W: 11st 1lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
Wide-margin Listowel festival handicap winner over 2m4f last year; has struggled off higher marks since; took advantage of a drop in class early this month, winning a 2m4f claiming hurdle at this venue in emphatic fashion; down the field back in handicap company at Punchestown.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

31st Aug 2026

Good

2m 5f 180y

15:55 Downpatrick

Cozone

11st 11lb

J: James Smith

T: Matthew J Smith

Has won twice this season, both at this venue; scored over C&D (yielding to soft) in March off 18lb lower; went in again over 2m2f here a month ago; raised 7lb for that and has never won off a mark this high but can't be discounted in current form.

7/2

Form: 115584

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 11lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
Completed a quick hat-trick with Ballinrobe victory in August, following maiden success at the same venue and a Sligo handicap win; went up an aggregate 18lb and has been too high in the handicap since.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

9

22nd Aug 2026

Good

2m 4f 180y

16:55 Killarney

Drumgill

10st 0lb

J: Daniel King

T: John Patrick Ryan

Seven-time winner over hurdles and fences; won a Listed handicap chase over 2m1f at Fairyhouse in November, but it's been mostly downhill since; showed a spark over hurdles at Kilbeggan last time; 3lb wrong here.

14/1

3rd

1

8th Aug 2026

Good

3m 1f 0y

18:48 Kilbeggan

Drumgill

11st 2lb

J: Daniel King

T: John Patrick Ryan

Seven-time winner over hurdles and fences; won a Listed handicap chase over 2m1f at Fairyhouse in November, but it's been all downhill since over a variety of trips; first run over hurdles since October.

16/1

8th

7

2nd Aug 2026

Good

2m 2f 54y

15:30 Galway

Drumgill

10st 1lb

J: Michael Kenneally

T: John Patrick Ryan

Won a nice pot over 2m1f at Fairyhouse in November, but it's been all downhill since and he's now 4lb lower than that last winning mark.

10/1

Form: 1105-4 CD

Last run: 28 days

W: 10st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
Went up an aggregate 16lb for wins over 2m3f here and over 2m4f at Gowran in February/March; struggled over 2m at Limerick in April, his chance harmed by a series of errors; moderate fourth (again over 2m) at Listowel on return from a break; this trip will suit better.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

10

21st May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 3f 176y

18:18 Limerick

Carlas Big Jim

10st 0lb

J: G B Noonan

T: L J Archdeacon

Two hurdle wins arrived in 2024 on heavy ground; beaten 27l over fences at Clonmel (2m7f, soft) in April, but he was only 2l down when falling at the second last hurdle here (2m4f, soft to heavy) later that month; 3lb wrong.

10/1

16

16th Apr 2026

Soft

2m 3f 60y

15:55 Limerick

Carlas Big Jim

10st 11lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: L J Archdeacon

Dual-winning hurdler has largely struggled this term and was pushed along vigorously over fences on latest at Clonmel; Jack Kennedy has been booked though, so he's worth a market check.

14/1

Form: U80P35

Last run: 11 days

W: 10st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
Maiden hurdle winner at Kilbeggan last autumn; modest handicap form this year, apart from fair fourth over 2m here in May; last two runs have been over fences; others preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

7

21st Aug 2026

Good

3m 1f 180y

19:05 Kilbeggan

Zolpharine

11st 5lb

J: Daniel King

T: John Patrick Ryan

Gained back-to-back wins in May, easily over fences at Limerick (2m7f, good, OR 77) and hurdles at Tramore (2m6f, good, OR 75); disappointed off his new mark in a 3m1f chase here 13 days ago when last of four and tailed off in the four-runner field; needs to bounce back.

13/2

4th

4

8th Aug 2026

Good

3m 1f 50y

19:18 Kilbeggan

Zolpharine

10st 8lb

J: Daniel King

T: John Patrick Ryan

Was a comfortable winner over fences at Limerick and hurdles at Tramore on last two starts in May; is now 12lb higher in this sphere but has to be feared if coming here in similar form.

5/2

Form: 50P-79

Last run: 114 days

W: 11st 5lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
AQPS winner in France; disappointing since winning a juvenile maiden hurdle for Gordon Elliott at Galway almost a year ago; tailed off on chase debut at Tipperary in July; first run for his new stable now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

6th Jun 2025

Good

2m 3f 203y

18:10 Clonmel

Kaleosun

11st 12lb

J: Hugh Morgan

T: Eamonn O’Connell

French bumper and Irish juvenile maiden hurdle winner but lost his form last year for Gordon Elliott and has been poor in two starts for this yard; blinkers tried.

100/1

22th

13

1st May 2025

Yielding

2m 0f 94y

14:30 Punchestown

Kaleosun

11st 6lb

J: Hugh Morgan

T: Eamonn O’Connell

towards rear, not fluent 1st

80/1

22th

13

1st May 2025

Yielding

2m 0f 94y

14:30 Punchestown

Kaleosun

11st 6lb

J: Hugh Morgan

T: Eamonn O’Connell

towards rear, not fluent 1st

80/1

Non-runners

Farmix

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €20.80
Straight Forecast €20.17
Tricast €96.63
Trifecta €70.70

Selections

RP RATINGS (IRE):

Karacole

The Irish Sun:

Win Some Lose Some

POSTDATA:

Old Bill Barley

SPOTLIGHT:

Carlas Big Jim

TOPSPEED:

Karacole