December 15 / 14.20 Navan

14.20

Yielding

Irish Stallion Farms EBF Handicap Chase

  • Prize money: £10260.87
  • 2m 4f 120y
  • 12 runners
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Irish Stallion Farms EBF Handicap Chase

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

3/1 (Won)

  • Win: £1.91
  • Place: £1.20

Form: PP-041

Last run: 16 days

W: 11st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
Two hurdle wins for Paul Nicholls came over 2m3f at Taunton; showed he is getting the hang of things over fences with a convincing win in a 3m1f Thurles beginners' event; shorter trip is not a major negative.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

9

14th May 2026

Good

1m 6f 44y

Class 3

14:40 Salisbury

Individualiste

8st 5lb

J: Olivia Tubb

T: Ben Lund

Winner over hurdles for Paul Nicholls and fences for Gavin Cromwell but pulled up at big prices in both hurdle starts for this yard; visor deployed on his belated handicap debut in this sphere.

50/1

6

5th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 147y

Class 4

19:17 Hereford

Individualiste

11st 2lb

J: Alice Stevens

T: Ben Lund

Lost his way over fences in Ireland and showed no signs of an immediate revival when pulled up reverting to hurdles on stable debut in March; too much to prove at present.

25/1

9

28th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 70y

Class 4

16:20 Uttoxeter

Individualiste

11st 6lb

J: Alice Stevens

T: Ben Lund

Four-time winner (hurdles/fences) but he's lost his way and was pulled up in four of his last five runs in Ireland; left Gavin Cromwell since his last run in January and has plenty to prove for new yard; equipment removed.

66/1

10/1

  • Place: £3.70

Form: -78670 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 13lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Very useful sort for Joseph O'Brien; lost his way during a spell in Britain; temptingly handicapped on his old form; needs a revival if he is to add to his career tally of eight wins.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

15th May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 4f 90y

19:40 Kilbeggan

A Wave Of The Sea

11st 6lb

J: Charlie O’Dwyer

T: J P Broderick

A Grade 1-winning juvenile hurdler in his younger days, far from the force of old but still well capable; latest win came in handicap chase over C&D in September; down the field at Leopardstown and in veterans' event at Wexford last twice; dropped 3lb; 3-6 at this track and each-way player.

12/1

12th

9

10th Apr 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 3f 100y

18:38 Wexford

A Wave Of The Sea

10st 7lb

J: Simon Torrens

T: J P Broderick

Fine servant won a Grade 1 juvenile hurdle and most recent successes came in 2m4f Kilbeggan handicap chases last year; penultimate Thurles fourth his best recent effort, stamina test probably beyond him in valuable 2m6f Leopardstown handicap latest; more suitable trip/ground here and drops in grade.

8/1

14th

19

1st Feb 2026

Soft To Heavy

2m 5f 107y

14:45 Leopardstown

A Wave Of The Sea

10st 0lb

J: Charlie O’Dwyer

T: J P Broderick

Fine servant won a Grade 1 juvenile hurdle at this meeting in 2021; a record of 5-43 over fences and a decent effort at Thurles last time, but needs more from 1lb out of the handicap.

25/1

12/1

  • Place: £3.10

Form: 01P3-8

Last run: 12 days

W: 10st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Won a 3m handicap hurdle last season; should be better for a recent comeback over a shorter trip at Clonmel; has an edge over stablmate Don't Talk.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

21st Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 7f 165y

16:20 Fairyhouse

Mighty Oak Lad

11st 5lb

J: Ben Harvey

T: Karl Thornton

Handicap hurdle winner here in January 2024 (3m, heavy); some good runs in defeat over fences last season, filling the frame in three of his four runs inc' here off 1lb higher (2m5f, soft to heavy); returned from just over a year off at Navan last time when never better than midfield and pulled up; can get involved if back to his best but a bit to prove now.

14/1

17

8th Feb 2026

Heavy

3m 0f 0y

16:20 Navan

Mighty Oak Lad

10st 10lb

J: Daniel King

T: Karl Thornton

Won 3m handicap hurdle at Fairyhouse two seasons ago; showed signs of developing into a consistent handicap chaser last winter; off for a year but could feature if returning in peak form; arguably the most appealing of three runners for his trainer.

8/1

2nd

4

5th Feb 2025

Heavy

2m 5f 55y

13:25 Fairyhouse

Mighty Oak Lad

11st 6lb

J: Donagh Meyler

T: Karl Thornton

prominent, not fluent and pecked on landing 3 out, challenging 2 out, kept on well but no match for winner

6/1

Form: -68654

Last run: 19 days

W: 10st 9lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Placed in Punchestown maiden hurdle on debut in June 2023; won a point-to-point last season; shaped quite well at Tramore on the most recent of three chase starts; each-way prospects.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

22nd Aug 2025

Good

3m 1f 180y

18:55 Kilbeggan

Dawn Escape

11st 7lb

J: Sean Flanagan

T: Liam Casey

Maiden posted a decent effort when was beaten 8l over C&D last time; down 2lb and can be involved.

5/1

8

9th Aug 2025

Good

3m 1f 100y

19:30 Kilbeggan

Dawn Escape

10st 4lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Liam Casey

Maiden has yet to really make an impact in handicap chases; fifth and fourth the last twice but beaten 18l and 28l respectively; down another 2lb but might need a little bit more respite from the handicapper.

14/1

Form: 34P2-0 D

Last run: 12 days

W: 10st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Went close at Down Royal on final start last season; never involved on his recent return at Clonmel; stablemate Mighty Oak Lad in front of him then.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

15th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 5f 0y

12:23 Fairyhouse

Dont Talk

11st 9lb

J: Ben Harvey

T: Karl Thornton

Gained back-to-back wins at Down Royal and at this course last January, latterly off 104; huge improvement needed judged on first two runs of the season but tends to come alive around this time of the season; monitor the betting.

20/1

7

22nd Apr 2025

Soft To Heavy

2m 5f 0y

15:25 Fairyhouse

Dont Talk

10st 6lb

J: Aileen O’Sullivan

T: Karl Thornton

Followed up a 2m4f win at Down Royal in January with a 2m1f success at this venue four days later, beating subsequent 8l Gowran winner Champagne Mahler; should be better for a run at Limerick earlier in the month; has 3-8 record at this track.

10/1

7

22nd Apr 2025

Soft To Heavy

2m 5f 0y

15:25 Fairyhouse

Dont Talk

10st 6lb

J: Aileen O’Sullivan

T: Karl Thornton

Followed up a 2m4f win at Down Royal in January with a 2m1f success at this venue four days later, beating subsequent 8l Gowran winner Champagne Mahler; should be better for a run at Limerick earlier in the month; has 3-8 record at this track.

10/1

Form: 474524 D

Last run: 17 days

W: 11st 0lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Often runs well but is a hard horse to win with; 2-52 record over jumps is off-putting; trainer possibly has a better chance with Andys Flame.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

8

16th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 5f 0y

12:30 Fairyhouse

Room To Roam

11st 2lb

J: Alex Harvey

T: John C McConnell

disputed lead early, led narrowly before 1st, headed before 3 out, weakened before 2 out

10/1

OUR TIP

Form: 374246

Last run: 43 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
Downpatrick maiden hurdle winner in April; four ordinary runs over hurdles before shaping much better when second in a 2m4f novices' handicap chase at Perth in September; two lesser displays since then over contrasting trips.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

15

26th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 13y

19:30 Ballinrobe

Valsorpresa

10st 10lb

J: Harry Sexton

T: Richard James Daniels

Won a Downpatrick maiden hurdle for Gordon Elliott in April 2024; no joy since but latest Galway fifth (2m, gd-yld) in October his best since joining this yard; dropped 3lb and sports a tongue-tie for return; could run into a place if fit.

28/1

5th

9

26th Oct 2025

Yielding

2m 0f 11y

16:13 Galway

Valsorpresa

10st 7lb

J: Harry Sexton

T: Richard James Daniels

Won a 2m2f maiden hurdle for Gordon Elliott last year; nowhere near that level in three runs in handicaps for this stable; mark sliding but hard to fancy.

16/1

9th

5

7th Oct 2025

Yielding

2m 0f 130y

14:50 Galway

Valsorpresa

11st 5lb

J: Danny Gilligan

T: Richard James Daniels

Won a 2m2f maiden hurdle for Gordon Elliott last year; nowhere near that level in two runs for this stable; heavy defeats in handicaps on last two starts; mark sliding but hard to fancy.

25/1

Form: 766-0F D

Last run: 49 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
Four-time chase winner; last scored in a Listed handicap chase at Limerick last Christmas off 112; faller at latest, perhaps one to watch with Limerick after Christmas in mind, since he has won three times at that venue.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

15

8th Mar 2026

Heavy

2m 3f 10y

15:30 Naas

Happy Dreams

10st 9lb

J: Cian Quirke

T: Michael J McDonagh

Relishes testing conditions and took advantage of them twice this season at Limerick when winning a 2m5f Limerick handicap hurdle and a 2m2f handicap chase; up 16lb compared to his win over timber at Punchestown when well beaten and found it similarly difficult off his revised chase mark at Gowran last time (2m4f, heavy); others more likely.

22/1

1

18th Nov 2025

Heavy

2m 5f 0y

14:35 Limerick

Happy Dreams

12st 0lb

J: Ryan Treacy

T: Michael J McDonagh

A better chaser than hurdler; good chase run here when last seen in March; rated lower over hurdles and can go well but lacks a recent run.

12/1

3rd

12

23rd Mar 2025

Good

2m 3f 120y

15:28 Limerick

Happy Dreams

10st 6lb

J: Cian Quirke

T: Michael J McDonagh

in touch with leaders, not fluent 9th, headway and prominent before 4 out, disputed lead 2 out, headed before last, kept on

40/1

Form: BP36/0 CD

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 11lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Useful sort at his best; won this event three years ago; returned from a long absence with a hurdles run last month; should be sharper now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13

3rd Feb 2025

Soft To Heavy

3m 0f 193y

13:00 Punchestown

Handsworth

11st 4lb

J: Charlie O’Dwyer

T: J P Dempsey

Has won twice over fences but has struggled since returning from a 587 day layoff; impossible to make a case for on his banks debut.

50/1

13

3rd Feb 2025

Soft To Heavy

3m 0f 193y

13:00 Punchestown

Handsworth

11st 4lb

J: Charlie O’Dwyer

T: J P Dempsey

Has won twice over fences but has struggled since returning from a 587 day layoff; impossible to make a case for on his banks debut.

50/1

11th

6

25th Jan 2025

Soft

3m 2f 0y

13:03 Fairyhouse

Handsworth

11st 9lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: J P Dempsey

Dual winner over fences at around 2m4f; well beaten in three starts this season, including when pulling up the last twice; doesn't look suited to this sort of stamina test.

33/1

Form: -84257

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
Is 1-13 over hurdles; bright start chasing with 7l second in a beginners' event at Downpatrick; stayed on to some effect when fifth behind a fellow Irish raider at Cheltenham; reported to be blowing hard after failing to run to expectations here five weeks ago.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

7

31st May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 4f 80y

17:00 Kilbeggan

Andys Flame

11st 5lb

J: Alex Harvey

T: John C McConnell

Ran only twice in 2025, won at Kelso on the first occasion, poor at Cartmel on the second; suited by good ground; may need the run.

10/1

4th

4

27th Jun 2025

Good

3m 1f 107y

Class 4

15:43 Cartmel

Andys Flame

11st 10lb

J: Mr B T Stone

T: John C McConnell

His fifth at Cheltenham in October (2m4f, good) reads well and he responded well for pressure to lead late on at Kelso when last seen in early April (2m4f, good); that was after an even longer break; respected off 3lb higher, though good ground seems ideal for him.

5/1

1st

4

7th Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

14:45 Kelso

Andys Flame

11st 12lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: John C McConnell

1-18 overall but it's still early days over fences and his fifth at Cheltenham in October (2m4f, good) reads well, with that race won by Topham runner-up Lisnamult Lad; respected back on good ground after a break with cheekpieces refitted.

6/1

Form: 302P1- D

Last run: 286 days

W: 11st 8lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Signed off last season with a Leopardstown win in March; only 4lb higher now and has a good claimer aboard; placed first time out last season.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

9

23rd Mar 2025

Good

2m 3f 120y

15:28 Limerick

Soloman Lane

10st 9lb

J: Ross Berry

T: Martin Hassett

Came on from his return with a 66-1 third at Fairyhouse in January and posted a career best when beaten just half a length at Gowran last month; may have won that without a mistake at the last and a 3lb rise is fair.

6/1

Form: -50009

Last run: 33 days

W: 10st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Weak form in handicap hurdles; no chasing experience; massive improvement needed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

6

21st May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 6f 160y

19:48 Limerick

A Year Older

11st 1lb

J: Ben Harvey

T: Karl Thornton

Won Fairyhouse handicap hurdle (3m2f, yielding) in January and was in contention over the same trip when falling four out over fences at Down Royal last time; raised 4lb for that.

6/1

11

12th Apr 2026

Good

3m 2f 50y

17:07 Down Royal

A Year Older

10st 11lb

J: Ben Harvey

T: Karl Thornton

Sprang a surprise at Fairyhouse (3m2f, yielding) on New Year's Day when returning from a 294-day absence to win comfortably at 40-1 over hurdles; had shown little in his eight previous outings, including when pulled up on only start over fences; form of those in behind bolsters his win; runs off winning mark and he will win if he can back it up now chasing.

7/2

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €17.30
Straight Forecast €13.10
Tricast €94.97
Trifecta €164.20

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Individualiste

The Irish Sun:

Dawn Escape

POSTDATA:

Andys Flame

RP RATINGS (IRE):

Room To Roam

TOPSPEED:

Individualiste