December 10 / 14.50 Punchestown

14.50

Yielding

See You On New Years Eve Handicap Hurdle (Div I)

  • Prize money: £5386.96
  • 2m 7f 182y
  • 17 runners
RTV
View Course
See You On New Years Eve Handicap Hurdle (Div I)

Runners: 17 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

12/1 (Won)

  • Win: £9.10
  • Place: £2.20

Form: -20038

Last run: 39 days

W: 11st 13lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
Down the field at Down Royal last time, made a few errors and was hampered two out; better judged on previous C&D third in October; tonge-tie used at Down Royal is left off now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

30th Jun 2026

Good

2m 7f 0y

15:50 Wexford

Sammy Smart

11st 12lb

J: Aidan Kelly

T: Thomas Gibney

A winner over hurdles and fences at Punchestown up to 3m; some good runs in defeat in the spring before a lesser Ballinrobe effort; unlucky to unseat early last time; can be a player.

9/1

1

6th Jun 2026

Good To Yielding

3m 0f 157y

15:00 Punchestown

Sammy Smart

11st 12lb

J: James Smith

T: Thomas Gibney

Both career wins came at this track, including off 5lb lower over fences in December over 2m4f; couple of good placed efforts this year, most notably when beaten 4l into third at Tramore in April (Aclass in second); let down by jumping when well-held over shorter trip at Ballinrobe 12 days ago; could figure back up in trip with 5lb claimer taking over.

14/1

8th

12

25th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 136y

19:05 Ballinrobe

Sammy Smart

10st 9lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Thomas Gibney

Much less exposed as a chaser than many of these and did well last season; won over this trip at Punchestown and creditable efforts last twice; likely to be handy and coming back to this trip might well be a plus.

8/1

14/1

  • Place: £2.20

Form: -68486

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Needs to jump better than on his handicap debut at this venue; capable of improvement but appears held by Not My Problem.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

4

4th Mar 2026

Heavy

2m 7f 180y

17:22 Naas

Comeonarchie

11st 6lb

J: Mr J R Martin

T: F G Hand

Made the breakthrough under this rider at the 15th attempt at Punchestown in December (3m, heavy) when making all in first-time cheekpieces; up 5lb and beaten 16l at Punchestown last time (2m7f, heavy); capable of more.

11/2

5th

6

26th Jan 2026

Heavy

2m 7f 0y

16:10 Punchestown

Comeonarchie

11st 8lb

J: Mr J R Martin

T: F G Hand

Made the breakthrough under this rider at the 15th attempt at Punchestown (3m, heavy) last time in first-time cheekpieces (retained), making all; up 5lb but decent chance of following up.

15/4

8th

6

10th Oct 2025

Yielding To Soft

2m 5f 180y

16:30 Downpatrick

Comeonarchie

11st 4lb

J: Mr J R Martin

T: F G Hand

Back-to-back runner-up finishes at Punchestown at the end of last year/new year were the best of his handicap efforts; three runs since then have been disappointing, finished 24l behind at Wexford last time; can get involved at his best but risky.

14/1

6/1

  • Place: £1.60

Form: 099-P2

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Huge odds and well beaten in three maiden hurdles last season; sent off at 10-1 for his handicap debut at Wexford, pulled up, reported to have stopped quickly; much improved when second in 2m4f handicap here in first-time cheekpieces, definite chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

1

24th Apr 2025

Good

2m 2f 50y

17:15 Kilbeggan

Not My Problem

12st 0lb

J: Tom Harney

T: Ross O’Sullivan

prominent, went second 2nd, not fluent 3rd, led before 6th, 4 lengths ahead 4 out, headed and stumbled 3 out, soon weakened

14/1

10th

1

24th Apr 2025

Good

2m 2f 50y

17:15 Kilbeggan

Not My Problem

12st 0lb

J: Tom Harney

T: Ross O’Sullivan

prominent, went second 2nd, not fluent 3rd, led before 6th, 4 lengths ahead 4 out, headed and stumbled 3 out, soon weakened

14/1

5

9th Feb 2025

Soft To Heavy

2m 5f 180y

15:12 Navan

Not My Problem

11st 3lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Ross O’Sullivan

Pulled up on handicap debut before going close in a pair of handicap hurdles at Punchestown before Christmas; however, pulled up in softer ground last time and conditions are a concern again.

16/1

14/1

  • Place: £2.30

Form: 789844

Last run: 11 days

W: 10st 6lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Yet to reach the first three; some encouragement can be taken from recent fourth placings at Fairyhouse and Thurles.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13

11th Jul 2025

Good

3m 0f 180y

19:00 Kilbeggan

County Champs

10st 12lb

J: James Smith

T: Brian M McMahon

Maiden has been knocking on the door in 3m handicaps, most recently beaten under 2l at both Tipperary and Punchestown; major player again off 2lb higher.

6/1

Form: 8-P019 D

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Had shown little over fences until landing an ordinary beginners' chase at Killarney in October; still held every chance when making a bad error two out in a Fairyhouse handicap chase last time; could go well.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

8th Sep 2025

Good

2m 4f 35y

Class 5

16:10 Perth

Brave Adam

12st 0lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Jennie Candlish

Won over nearly 3m as a chaser last year when based in Ireland; pulled up over hurdles on final run there and made a forgettable stable debut at Hexham in this new headgear combination.

14/1

2

22nd Jun 2025

Good

2m 7f 63y

Class 5

15:18 Hexham

Brave Adam

12st 0lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Jennie Candlish

A fair 2m7f-winning chaser but he was pulled up back hurdling in 3m Fairyhouse handicap in April on his final run for Thomas Cooper; cheekpieces go on for his new yard and he can't be ruled out after a break with Brian Hughes up.

6/1

14

6th Apr 2025

Yielding

3m 0f 0y

16:12 Fairyhouse

Brave Adam

10st 3lb

J: Tom Kelly

T: Thomas Cooper

Won a Killarney beginners' chase last October but not as good over fences since; however, did run a solid race on handicap hurdle debut at Punchestown in December over this trip; considered.

11/1

OUR TIP

Form: 8-4447

Last run: 158 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Fair maiden form, twice fourth in handicaps early in the season, though well beaten both times; needs to find extra on return from a break.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

8

14th Jul 2026

Good

2m 5f 185y

16:47 Downpatrick

Joya Del Mar

11st 7lb

J: Patrick M O’Brien

T: Dermot A McLoughlin

In excellent form and has won two of her last three, both over C&D; is now 17lb higher than when winning easily here in May and this is stronger than the race she won last time but clearly loves this place and in the mix again.

5/1

1st

17

13th Jun 2026

Good

2m 5f 180y

15:10 Downpatrick

Joya Del Mar

12st 2lb

J: Mr J P Sutton

T: Dermot A McLoughlin

Second reserve; off the mark over hurdles at the 20th attempt over C&D last month; couldn't follow up at Sligo off 10lb higher mark next time

6th

1

9th Jun 2026

Good

2m 4f 162y

20:00 Sligo

Joya Del Mar

12st 0lb

J: Ricky Doyle

T: Dermot A McLoughlin

Got off the mark over hurdles at the 20th attempt at Downpatrick over 2m6f last time; raised 10lb for that wide-margin score but a repeat of that effort can see her go close.

4/1

Form: 799P5U

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Promising fifth of 16 over 3m at Fairyhouse on penultimate outing; ran freely before unseating rider at the seventh flight on latest start at Limerick.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

12th Apr 2026

Good

3m 0f 0y

15:35 Down Royal

John Storey

11st 7lb

J: Conor Stone-Walsh

T: Ian Patrick Donoghue

Big-field Fairyhouse handicap hurdle winner on New Year's Day 2025 off 1lb higher (3m1f, yielding to soft); well beaten in final starts for Liam Cusack, but his fourth at Punchestown on stable debut was a positive (2m7f, heavy); 100-30 favourite at Downpatrick last time but was never travelling; questions to answer now.

13/1

8

29th Mar 2026

Yielding To Soft

2m 5f 185y

15:52 Downpatrick

John Storey

10st 9lb

J: Josh Williamson

T: Ian Patrick Donoghue

Big-field Fairyhouse handicap hurdle winner on New Year's Day 2025 off 1lb higher (3m1f, yielding to soft); well beaten in final starts for Liam Cusack; positives to take from his 10.5l fourth at Punchestown on stable debut in this headgear; in the mix if building on that.

8/1

Form: 85P7F2

Last run: 39 days

W: 11st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
A shade unlucky not to reach the money in a handicap hurdle at Bellewstown in July; has suffered a couple of mishaps since and did not look an easy ride at Down Royal last month; second placing was a good effort in the circumstances; addition of cheekpieces may help.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

17th Jul 2026

Good

2m 7f 0y

16:52 Killarney

Schiehallion

11st 6lb

J: Alix Balfe

T: Dermot A McLoughlin

0-20 at the age of nine, but broke a poor run of form back from a break when runner-up over 3m at Bellewstown in April (yielding); pulled up next time and was beaten 24l on his chasing debut at Downpatrick in a beginners' last time; others make more appeal.

10/1

5th

5

13th Jun 2026

Good

2m 7f 150y

16:20 Downpatrick

Schiehallion

11st 12lb

J: Alix Balfe

T: Dermot A McLoughlin

0-19 at the age of nine; broke poor run of form back from a break when runner-up over 3m at Bellewstown in April (yielding); pulled up at Punchestown next time; tries chasing now but overall form reduces appeal; rated 94 over hurdles.

16/1

4

13th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 0y

19:20 Punchestown

Schiehallion

11st 9lb

J: P J O’Hanlon

T: Dermot A McLoughlin

Remains a maiden at the age of nine (0-18); broke a poor run of form back from a break at Bellewstown (3m, yielding) last month when a 1.5l runner-up; that was one of his best runs and chance if backing it up.

8/1

Form: 18-069

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 3lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Won a 2m4f Down Royal handicap hurdle on soft ground in March; still 6lb higher but now with reunited with 7lb claimer Anna McGuinness for the first time since that win.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

16th Apr 2025

Good

2m 7f 177y

Class 5

19:15 Ffos Las

Perfect Pupil

11st 5lb

J: Daire McConville

T: Martin Keighley

Won handicap hurdle at Down Royal last March but inconsistent and has not made a serious impact with cheekpieces enlisted for his two runs for new yard; balance of form suggests he has work to do.

16/1

6

16th Apr 2025

Good

2m 7f 177y

Class 5

19:15 Ffos Las

Perfect Pupil

11st 5lb

J: Daire McConville

T: Martin Keighley

Won handicap hurdle at Down Royal last March but inconsistent and has not made a serious impact with cheekpieces enlisted for his two runs for new yard; balance of form suggests he has work to do.

16/1

4th

2

26th Mar 2025

Good

2m 4f 194y

Class 5

16:42 Hereford

Perfect Pupil

12st 0lb

J: Daire McConville

T: Martin Keighley

Won handicap hurdle at Down Royal last March but inconsistent and beaten 20l when fourth of five finishers on this month's stable debut at Leicester (2m4f, good to soft); that made it 0-5 over fences; others preferred.

10/1

Form: 30/9-0

Last run: 23 days

W: 10st 12lb

12 yo Gelding

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Veteran three-time winner, struggled on his comeback/stable debut at Navan last month; no appeal.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

10

13th Apr 2025

Good

3m 2f 50y

17:05 Down Royal

Important Message

10st 3lb

J: Sean O’Keeffe

T: G A Kingston

13yo veteran has won twice over hurdles; is 0-8 in chases but has shaped with a bit of promise the last twice; has run well over timber here before; probably vulnerable to younger legs for win purposes but he has a definite place chance.

15/2

8th

10

13th Apr 2025

Good

3m 2f 50y

17:05 Down Royal

Important Message

10st 3lb

J: Sean O’Keeffe

T: G A Kingston

13yo veteran has won twice over hurdles; is 0-8 in chases but has shaped with a bit of promise the last twice; has run well over timber here before; probably vulnerable to younger legs for win purposes but he has a definite place chance.

15/2

5th

16

13th Mar 2025

Yielding

2m 6f 170y

16:14 Limerick

Important Message

10st 3lb

J: Jake Coen

T: G A Kingston

not fluent 6th

12/1

Form: 0P-078 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 10st 12lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Lost form after last season's long-priced Listowel festival win; hard to make a case for her.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

13

13th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 6f 0y

15:18 Punchestown

Another Nightmare

10st 1lb

J: Paddy Hanlon

T: Miss Tara Lee Cogan

midfield early, not fluent and pushed along briefly 1st, in rear when reminder before 5th, midfield 6th

14/1

13th

13

13th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 6f 0y

15:18 Punchestown

Another Nightmare

10st 1lb

J: Paddy Hanlon

T: Miss Tara Lee Cogan

midfield early, not fluent and pushed along briefly 1st, in rear when reminder before 5th, midfield 6th

14/1

24

1st Jan 2025

Good To Yielding

3m 0f 110y

13:50 Fairyhouse

Another Nightmare

10st 0lb

J: Paddy Hanlon

T: Miss Tara Lee Cogan

Won over this trip at Listowel in 2023 but lost her form afterwards; has to do more even off a favourable mark

33/1

Form: 49-031

Last run: 44 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Came in for market support and ran with credit when third in a handicap hurdle at Roscommon in September; saddle slipped after three out in that contest; won a Galway handicap chase off this mark in October,; stays well and looks potentially well handicapped.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

9

27th Mar 2025

Yielding To Soft

2m 7f 0y

15:42 Clonmel

Doonbeg Don

11st 4lb

J: Mike O’Connor

T: Henry De Bromhead

Winning chase debut in 2m6f Galway handicap (soft) in October; moderate hurdles run at Punchestown in December; much better back over fences when second at Down Royal in January; has potential for further progress as a chaser.

9/2

16/1

Form: 0/3F-5

Last run: 196 days

W: 11st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Has shown ability in handicaps but over shorter trips; not sure to stay effectively enough and lacks a recent run; hooded.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

2

8th Jun 2026

Yielding To Soft

2m 0f 100y

19:18 Roscommon

Must Go Now

11st 8lb

J: Gavin Brouder

T: Edward Cawley

Won a Fairyhouse handicap hurdle (2m4f, yielding to soft) in early 2025 but only one effort of note in the past 12 months, when third in first-time cheekpieces at Cork in March; tailed off in both his beginners' chases.

25/1

10th

6

25th May 2026

Good

2m 1f 54y

18:05 Ballinrobe

Must Go Now

11st 12lb

J: E Walsh

T: Edward Cawley

1-17 over timber and rated 109; always behind when beaten 77l on sole chase start at Leopardstown in March (21.5f, yielding); mid-field in Punchestown handicap hurdle latest; others make more appeal.

28/1

9th

16

28th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 3f 81y

15:05 Punchestown

Must Go Now

10st 8lb

J: Josh Williamson

T: Edward Cawley

1-16 over hurdles; ran well when a close third at Cork off 1lb higher on penultimate (2m4f, yielding); needs to bounce back from disappointing Fairyhouse run latest; others look better treated.

33/1

Form: 70-966

Last run: 14 days

W: 11st 5lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Over two years since her sole win over hurdles; best run last season was over fences at Gowran; others have stronger credentials
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

9

10th Dec 2024

Yielding

2m 7f 182y

14:50 Punchestown

Carrig Carol

11st 5lb

J: Jordan Gainford

T: Peter Croke

Over two years since her sole win over hurdles; best run last season was over fences at Gowran; others have stronger credentials

14/1

14th

9

10th Dec 2024

Yielding

2m 7f 182y

14:50 Punchestown

Carrig Carol

11st 5lb

J: Jordan Gainford

T: Peter Croke

Over two years since her sole win over hurdles; best run last season was over fences at Gowran; others have stronger credentials

14/1

6th

3

26th Nov 2024

Heavy

2m 5f 0y

14:20 Tramore

Carrig Carol

11st 12lb

J: Tiernan Power Roche

T: Peter Croke

Fifteen runs since her last win at Fairyhouse (2m4f, soft) in November 2022; out of form so far this year, beaten 23l in a handicap chase latest; is 2lb below her last win, she'll handle the ground and she has run well here before; not discounted.

10/1

Form: 529FP0 D

Last run: 16 days

W: 10st 6lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Only win was in 2021; placed over fences at this venue in June; pulled up at Galway on most recent hurdle start; struggled over cross-country course here last time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

18

16th Dec 2024

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 0y

13:00 Naas

Land Jet

10st 6lb

J: Sean O’Keeffe

T: Peter Maher

Won a 3m handicap hurdle in 2021 but hasn't shown a whole lot since; 0-8 over fences and well beaten on all four starts since returning from a three month break; hard to fancy on recent form.

25/1

18

16th Dec 2024

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 0y

13:00 Naas

Land Jet

10st 6lb

J: Sean O’Keeffe

T: Peter Maher

Won a 3m handicap hurdle in 2021 but hasn't shown a whole lot since; 0-8 over fences and well beaten on all four starts since returning from a three month break; hard to fancy on recent form.

25/1

15th

20

10th Dec 2024

Yielding

2m 7f 182y

14:50 Punchestown

Land Jet

10st 6lb

J: Sean O’Keeffe

T: Peter Maher

Only win was in 2021; placed over fences at this venue in June; pulled up at Galway on most recent hurdle start; struggled over cross-country course here last time.

33/1

Form: P/P04-

Last run: 240 days

W: 10st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Placed at a modest level on Flat; final hurdle run last term was promising, fourth in a 15-runner event at Down Royal; potentially interesting if fit and ready.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

20

(13)

26th Apr 2025

Yielding

1m 5f 0y

17:30 Navan

Elle Dorado Rock

9st 1lb

J: Colin Keane

T: A J Martin

Sole win in either code came on the AW over 2m in January but career-best when strong-finishing close second in Gowran handicap over this trip on Wednesday, having allowed winner first run; Keane now takes over and obvious claims off same mark.

9/2

Form: P-0850

Last run: 35 days

W: 10st 12lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Showed promise over 2m4f at this venue on yard debut; failed to match that form at Fairyhouse last time, raising renewed doubts.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

17th

15

10th Dec 2024

Yielding

2m 7f 182y

14:50 Punchestown

French Milan

10st 12lb

J: Simon Torrens

T: Aidan Anthony Howard

Showed promise over 2m4f at this venue on yard debut; failed to match that form at Fairyhouse last time, raising renewed doubts.

12/1

17th

15

10th Dec 2024

Yielding

2m 7f 182y

14:50 Punchestown

French Milan

10st 12lb

J: Simon Torrens

T: Aidan Anthony Howard

Showed promise over 2m4f at this venue on yard debut; failed to match that form at Fairyhouse last time, raising renewed doubts.

12/1

18

5th Nov 2024

Good

2m 4f 110y

15:25 Fairyhouse

French Milan

11st 6lb

T: Aidan Anthony Howard

Addition of tongue-tie was possibly the key to improvement when a fair fifth at Punchestown on yard debut; further progress on the cards; second reserve.

Non-runners

Gaye Winnie, Native Song, Whatsyourstatus

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €150.80
Straight Forecast €105.51
Tricast €461.61
Trifecta €406.80

Selections

RP RATINGS (IRE):

Not My Problem

SPOTLIGHT:

Doonbeg Don

POSTDATA:

Gaye Winnie

The Irish Sun:

Not My Problem