December 15 / 12.02 Navan

12.02

Yielding To Soft

Irish Stallion Farms EBF Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £10260.87
  • 2m 0f 0y
  • 13 runners
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Irish Stallion Farms EBF Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 13 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

15/8 (Won)

  • Win: £2.63
  • Place: £1.20

Form: 07/F-1 D

Last run: 17 days

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
Four-time winner on the Flat, most recently at Ballinrobe in June; took a heavy fall at Gowran on the last of his four maiden hurdle runs in 2023; made handicap/stable at Thurles 17 days ago, travelled powerfully, led at the last and won unextended; handed a 16lb rise, no surprise if proves equal to the challenge.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15

2nd Feb 2025

Soft

2m 0f 0y

15:50 Leopardstown

Brave Troop

10st 7lb

J: Alex Harvey

T: C Byrnes

Progressive sort has won both starts since moving to Charles Byrnes; won off 95 at Thurles (2m, good) and followed up off 111 at Navan (2m, yielding to soft); got hit with a 14lb hike for that and this is a much tougher task; will need a career best but he can't be discounted.

13/2

15

2nd Feb 2025

Soft

2m 0f 0y

15:50 Leopardstown

Brave Troop

10st 7lb

J: Alex Harvey

T: C Byrnes

midfield, bad mistake and lost ground quickly 4th, soon dropped to last and pulled up, looked to go wrong

13/2

1st

1

15th Dec 2024

Yielding To Soft

2m 0f 0y

12:02 Navan

Brave Troop

11st 12lb

J: James Smith

T: C Byrnes

travelled strongly, midfield, steady headway before 2 out, led going easily approaching last, ridden out, won going away

15/8

8/1

  • Place: £3.00

Form: 735

Last run: 12 days

W: 11st 10lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Makes handicap debut after three runs in maidens, the latest in a race for amateur riders at Clonmel 12 days ago; previously attracted the attention of the stewards when third behind talented stablemate Wingmen over 2m4f at this venue; rider described him as "a stayer in the making"; hard to know what to make of this drop in trip but an interesting runner.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

4

6th Apr 2025

Yielding

2m 4f 0y

15:07 Fairyhouse

Lygon Lad

11st 9lb

J: Sam Ewing

T: Gordon Elliott

midfield

8/1

7th

4

6th Apr 2025

Yielding

2m 4f 0y

15:07 Fairyhouse

Lygon Lad

11st 9lb

J: Sam Ewing

T: Gordon Elliott

midfield

8/1

5/1

  • Place: £1.80

Form: -65111

Last run: 65 days

W: 11st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Transferred now to Ross O'Sullivan after winning three consecutive handicaps in the care of his owner Harry Smyth; won a 2m6f event by 17l at Downpatrick in August; follow-up wins gained at around 2m2f; has gone up an aggregate 26lb; further improvement possible, could be suited by strong-run 2m at this stiff track.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

3

22nd Jan 2026

Heavy

2m 7f 110y

13:10 Gowran Park

Portnacoo

11st 8lb

J: Adam Leahy

T: John Joseph Hanlon

Four-time hurdles winner; not solid on his form this term, latterly for new yard; unseated rider at Taunton over fences on latest; best form is on better ground than this.

25/1

2

23rd Oct 2025

Yielding

2m 4f 51y

15:52 Clonmel

Portnacoo

11st 9lb

J: Sean Flanagan

T: John Joseph Hanlon

Three wins at Downpatrick and one at Carlisle which was the latest in February; showed nothing in two runs since that win but encouraging signs when fourth at Gowran 20 days ago and he's back on his last winning mark.

5/1

Form: 8/5239 D

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Won twice two seasons ago before a lengthy spell on the sidelines; placed in races at Sligo and Limerick following a pleasing return at Ballinrobe during the summer; well below his best at Punchestown a month ago in a race in which today's rival Cozone finished second.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

12

31st May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 4f 80y

17:00 Kilbeggan

Luimneach

10st 5lb

J: Charlie O’Dwyer

T: Conor O’Dwyer

Twice successful over hurdles; ordinary handicap chase form until second at Down Royal in January; pulled up at Thurles on his final start for the now-retired Des McDonogh; 10lb below hurdles mark; fair chance if replicating his improved display.

8/1

13

5th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 2f 0y

13:42 Thurles

Luimneach

11st 2lb

J: Aidan Kelly

T: Desmond McDonogh

Twice successful over hurdles; ordinary handicap chase form until second at Down Royal last month; remains 9lb below hurdles mark; fair chance if replicating his improved display.

7/1

2nd

5

20th Jan 2026

Yielding To Soft

2m 4f 145y

15:20 Down Royal

Luimneach

11st 11lb

J: Aidan Kelly

T: Desmond McDonogh

Twice successful over hurdles; ordinary handicap chase form so far; premature to write off but hard to recommend until he shows some spark again; runs off 12lb lower than current hurdles rating.

14/1

Form: -93813 D

Last run: 17 days

W: 10st 3lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Contributed to the stable good run of form when winning in a 2m handicap at Limerick last month; ran creditably off his revised mark when third behind today's rival Brave Troop at Thurles; now 15lb better off with the comfortable winner.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

(5)

26th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 6f 21y

Class 5

14:37 Southwell (AW)

Prince Quattro

9st 3lb

J: Mason Paetel

T: James Owen

Registered a first Flat win when scoring over C&D in January and it was a creditable effort when chasing home St Faz at Lingfield (2m, Polytrack) six days ago; work to do if he's to turn the tables but still one of the more likely ones.

6/1

2nd

6

(5)

20th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 7f 169y

Class 5

14:12 Lingfield (AW)

Prince Quattro

9st 4lb

J: Mason Paetel

T: James Owen

Recorded his first Flat success when scoring at Southwell in January (1m6f); he has run to a similar level in defeat since and he should remain competitive.

8/1

4th

1

(5)

10th Mar 2026

Standard

2m 0f 120y

Class 5

17:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Prince Quattro

10st 0lb

J: Luke Morris

T: James Owen

4-22 over hurdles but just 1-15 on the Flat, the win coming at Southwell (1m6f, Tapeta) in January; only 1lb higher, though, and should make his presence felt.

2/1

OUR TIP

Form: 61-69U D

Last run: 187 days

W: 11st 10lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Ex-Gordon Elliott; form highlighted by a Limerick maiden win on heavy in April; handicap form is weak; in touch when hampered and unseated three out in a claiming hurdle at Sligo in June.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

19

20th Mar 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

15:37 Cork

Doctor Nightingale

10st 9lb

J: Cian Cullinan

T: Patrick Joseph Hayes

Won Limerick maiden hurdle for Gordon Elliott last season (heavy) but remains unconvincing in handicaps; others preferred.

25/1

7th

2

21st Jan 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 1f 33y

13:40 Down Royal

Doctor Nightingale

11st 12lb

J: Cian Cullinan

T: Patrick Joseph Hayes

Won a maiden hurdle for Gordon Elliott last April; not beaten far on her stable debut in a Navan handicap hurdle last month; suspected to be in season after being beaten out of sight at Tramore since; others preferred.

16/1

7th

2

21st Jan 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 1f 33y

13:40 Down Royal

Doctor Nightingale

11st 12lb

J: Cian Cullinan

T: Patrick Joseph Hayes

Won a maiden hurdle for Gordon Elliott last April; not beaten far on her stable debut in a Navan handicap hurdle last month; suspected to be in season after being beaten out of sight at Tramore since; others preferred.

16/1

Form: 0/41-3 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Won a heavy-ground Clonmel maiden hurdle over this trip in April; made a few minor errors at Punchestown three weeks ago when returning from a break; should be better for the run and the experience.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

11

20th Apr 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 1f 25y

16:32 Cork

Lady Bresil

11st 5lb

J: Sean O’Keeffe

T: Henry De Bromhead

midfield, outpaced after 4 out

66/1

6th

11

20th Apr 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 1f 25y

16:32 Cork

Lady Bresil

11st 5lb

J: Sean O’Keeffe

T: Henry De Bromhead

midfield, outpaced after 4 out

66/1

Form: -44340

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
Solid efforts in three maiden hurdles over a range of distances in the summer; down the field in a 2m4f handicap hurdle at this venue in October.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

8

21st Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 7f 165y

16:20 Fairyhouse

Aines Lad

11st 3lb

J: James Smith

T: Matthew J Smith

Made the breakthrough at the 14th attempt at Thurles last time with a 9l win over hurdles (2m7f, soft); up 9lb for that and now makes chasing debut; may go well again and improving but overall record a bit off putting.

11/4

Form: 073270

Last run: 15 days

W: 11st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Has kept busy since winning a claiming hurdle at Clonmel at the beginning of October; recorded solid placed efforts over 2m4f at Cork and 2m at Punchestown; fair seventh in a 19-runner Punchestown handicap; tailed off over 2m4f at Fairyhouse.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

28th May 2026

Good

2m 6f 0y

19:20 Limerick

Cozone

12st 0lb

J: James Smith

T: Matthew J Smith

Bounced back with a bang when easily winning at Downpatrick (2m6f, yielding to soft) off career-low mark on return in March; failed to back that up from 10lb higher at Down Royal but remains fairly treated on pick of old form.

7/1

6th

1

12th Apr 2026

Good

3m 0f 0y

15:35 Down Royal

Cozone

12st 0lb

J: James Smith

T: Matthew J Smith

Bounced back to form with a bang at Downpatrick (2m6f, yielding to soft) when defeating runner-up Coppola by 7.5l off a career low mark; hefty 10lb hit for that, but this three-time hurdles winner has won off a mark of 106 before; big player.

15/4

Form: 515000

Last run: 15 days

W: 11st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Sligo maiden hurdle winner in July on debut for this yard; a long way below that level in four subsequent starts; never in contention over 2m4f at Fairyhouse last time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

9

15th May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 4f 90y

19:40 Kilbeggan

Torquay Road

11st 5lb

J: Carl Millar

T: Cian Collins

Three-time hurdle winner who has fared well in three starts over fences, beaten a neck by Kilbrin Rocco at Tramore 26 days ago; step up in trip and ground should suit.

11/2

2nd

2

19th Apr 2026

Soft

1m 7f 110y

17:00 Tramore

Torquay Road

11st 12lb

J: Danny Gilligan

T: Cian Collins

Three-time hurdles winner; sound effort on chase debut in a beginners' at Downpatrick (20.5f, gd-yld) when a 5l third but tailed off on softer ground at Fairyhouse (2m) on latest in January; soft ground a concern on handicap chase bow.

13/2

Form: 140900 D

Last run: 15 days

W: 11st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
Won a handicap hurdle over this trip at Tipperary in June on yielding ground; back below that winning mark; has to recapture form after a series of uninspiring displays.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

11

26th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 13y

19:30 Ballinrobe

Marys Pride

11st 1lb

J: Sarah Kavanagh

T: Edward Cawley

Is 6lb lower than when gaining second win over hurdles at Tipperary in July 2024; soundly beaten off 100 when last seen at Down Royal in December; 1lb lower now and has gone well fresh, so not dismissed in first-time cheekpieces.

25/1

8th

9

2nd Nov 2025

Yielding

2m 0f 0y

13:10 Cork

Marys Pride

10st 9lb

J: Sarah Kavanagh

T: Edward Cawley

Two-time winner, the last success coming off 5lb higher at Tipperary in July 2024 (2m, yielding); pleasing third on seasonal return at Fairyhouse (2m, yielding) for this rider; well-handicapped and a leading contender.

11/2

8th

9

2nd Nov 2025

Yielding

2m 0f 0y

13:10 Cork

Marys Pride

10st 9lb

J: Sarah Kavanagh

T: Edward Cawley

Two-time winner, the last success coming off 5lb higher at Tipperary in July 2024 (2m, yielding); pleasing third on seasonal return at Fairyhouse (2m, yielding) for this rider; well-handicapped and a leading contender.

11/2

Form: P/517/

Last run: 763 days

W: 10st 12lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Off the track for just over two years; only one win from 15 starts over hurdles, but it was a notable performance that saw him beat the useful Perceval Legallois in a 3m handicap hurdle at the 2022 Galway festival; 2m may prove inadequate on his return.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

11

15th Dec 2024

Yielding To Soft

2m 0f 0y

12:02 Navan

Nathaniels Dream

10st 12lb

J: Daniel King

T: A J Martin

Off the track for just over two years; only one win from 15 starts over hurdles, but it was a notable performance that saw him beat the useful Perceval Legallois in a 3m handicap hurdle at the 2022 Galway festival; 2m may prove inadequate on his return.

14/1

Form: U8-7P0

Last run: 188 days

W: 10st 2lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Placed on the Flat in France; weak form in two handicap hurdles early in the season; in rear in a 1m2f handicap at the Curragh in October; transformation needed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

14

2nd Mar 2024

Heavy

2m 0f 0y

13:35 Navan

Drum Roll

11st 0lb

J: Richard Deegan

T: Paul Nolan

Seven-race maiden on the Flat in France and bought for 13,000euros since; not bred for this; tough ask on yard debut.

50/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €36.60
Straight Forecast €30.73
Tricast €110.26
Trifecta €199.20

Selections

The Irish Sun:

Lygon Lad

TOPSPEED:

Torquay Road

POSTDATA:

Lady Bresil

RP RATINGS (IRE):

Luimneach

SPOTLIGHT:

Brave Troop