December 21 / 12.10 Thurles

12.10

Good

Molony Cup Handicap Chase

  • Prize money: £5900
  • 3m 1f 22y
  • 15 runners
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Molony Cup Handicap Chase

Runners: 15 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather:

12/1 (Won)

  • Win: £8.90
  • Place: £2.60

Form: U50085

Last run: 36 days

W: 10st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Winning hurdler on good ground; solid run despite some poor jumping in a 3m Fairyhouse handicap last month; can contend here despite being 1lb wrong.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

9

30th May 2026

Good

2m 6f 0y

18:30 Tramore

Cullenwaine

10st 8lb

J: Shane O’Callaghan

T: David O’Sullivan

Poor strike-rate and both wins were in 2024; however, chased home previous-race contender Lake Chad here before a near miss at Limerick last week; solid chance.

5/1

2nd

12

21st May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 6f 160y

19:48 Limerick

Cullenwaine

10st 2lb

J: Shane O’Callaghan

T: David O’Sullivan

Record of 1-19 over fences; lost his form for Philip Rothwell last summer but two of his three runs for this yard full of promise, on latest when runner-up to an easy winner at Tramore; contender.

8/1

2nd

14

20th Apr 2026

Soft

2m 5f 160y

19:12 Tramore

Cullenwaine

10st 2lb

J: Shane O’Callaghan

T: David O’Sullivan

Record of 1-18 over fences; lost his form for Philip Rothwell last summer but fair effort on yard debut at this venue on New Year's Day; not as good at Thurles last time.

14/1

5/1

  • Place: £3.10

Form: U417U5 BF

Last run: 50 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
Landed a 2m5f Roscommon handicap chase on his stable debut in August; back over fences now after he was a staying fifth in a 3m handicap hurdle at Down Royal last month; unlikely to be far away in a winnable contest.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

4

24th Apr 2026

Good

3m 6f 121y

Class 3

14:05 Perth

Brandt

11st 6lb

J: Jordan Gainford

T: Cian Collins

Won a 3m4f handicap chase at Leopardstown in March of last year (yielding); this season hasn't gone so well but it wasn't too bad a run on his return to fences at Downpatrick last time (3m4f; yielding to soft) and unwise to put a line through him.

10/1

6th

11

29th Mar 2026

Yielding To Soft

3m 4f 120y

16:27 Downpatrick

Brandt

10st 6lb

J: Jordan Gainford

T: Cian Collins

Good form last winter, notably winning a 3m4f handicap chase at Leopardstown; struggled in the spring in the Scottish National and in a valuable Punchestown handicap; should be better for a recent hurdles run.

14/1

6th

3

4th Mar 2026

Heavy

2m 7f 180y

17:22 Naas

Brandt

11st 6lb

J: Jordan Gainford

T: Cian Collins

Rated 26lb higher over fences but pulled up in final two starts in that sphere last season; seasonal return over hurdles at Navan in September was disappointing when beaten 35l at 6-1 (2m3f, yielding); big chance if on a going day.

11/1

16/1

  • Place: £4.40

Form: P34677

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 1lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Better hurdler than chaser; went closest in a 2m3f handicap chase at Downpatrick in June; not at her best in a mares' handicap hurdle here last month and the trip is an unknown.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

7

22nd May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 5f 180y

18:29 Downpatrick

Game And Glory

11st 2lb

J: Dylan Robinson

T: P J Rothwell

Dual hurdles winner but was pulled up on her last visit to the track in a chase and pulled up last time over hurdles at Thurles.

33/1

14th

21

2nd May 2026

Yielding

2m 0f 0y

18:35 Punchestown

Game And Glory

11st 9lb

J: Christopher Shuker

T: P J Rothwell

Two-time hurdle winner but rated just 87, pulled up latest, up against it here.

40/1

Form: 21-P70

Last run: 18 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
Won a bumper and a maiden hurdle in Britain last spring; soundly beaten in a pair of beginners chases, jumping poorly both times, but potentially interesting thrown into a handicap this early.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

22nd Apr 2026

Soft

2m 4f 35y

Class 4

16:10 Perth

Pitwood Road

11st 8lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Nicky Richards

Two good runs on first two starts for Nicky Richards, including Carlisle win off 9lb lower in December (2m3f, soft); had stiff task last time; back down in grade; chance.

3/1

7th

4

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 100y

Class 1

13:00 Kelso

Pitwood Road

11st 0lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Nicky Richards

Won handicap at Carlisle (2m3f, soft) in December on stable debut and went close at Newcastle (2m4f, heavy) in January; could continue to progress for this yard but has plenty to find in today's company.

33/1

2nd

1

27th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 62y

Class 4

15:00 Newcastle

Pitwood Road

12st 2lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Nicky Richards

Following a break and a change of stables she returned to form with a win at Carlisle (2m3f, soft) last month; that form reads well and she could have more to offer for this stable; major player up 7lb.

7/2

Form: FP2074

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 2lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Winning hurdler; made a reasonable chase debut despite some ropey jumping in a C&D beginners contest here last month; will benefit for that experience and not one to underestimate.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

6th Aug 2025

Good

2m 3f 130y

18:42 Wexford

Walk In Time

10st 1lb

J: Shane O’Callaghan

T: David Harry Kelly

Dropped away tamely in a 2m7f contest at Killarney last time; fair chance if replicating the form of previous Tipperary second over the same trip; cheekpieces on now as well as the usual tongue-tie.

8/1

6th

8

18th Jul 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

16:15 Killarney

Walk In Time

11st 0lb

J: Peter Smithers

T: David Harry Kelly

Is 0-8 over fences but there were certainly signs she was getting the hang of things when beaten 3l at Tipperary earlier this month; up 2lb but a case can be made.

5/1

2nd

12

1st Jul 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 7f 35y

15:18 Tipperary

Walk In Time

10st 0lb

J: Peter Smithers

T: David Harry Kelly

Sole win came over hurdles here in 2023; has been below form on last three chase starts and has to do plenty better.

20/1

Form: 644176 D

Last run: 11 days

W: 11st 3lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Stayed well to win a 3m2f handicap chase at Sligo in October; below his best twice since although ran okay in a Punchestown handicap hurdle last week; could go well.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

18

13th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 0y

19:20 Punchestown

Ballagh Star

10st 11lb

J: Aidan Kelly

T: Mrs Y Dunleavy

Dual winning chaser is rated 8lb lower over hurdles but is 0-14; this ground suits but may need this run to warm up for a summer campaign.

8/1

9

4th Nov 2025

Soft

3m 0f 82y

12:45 Fairyhouse

Ballagh Star

10st 7lb

J: Philip Donovan

T: Mrs Y Dunleavy

Gained a deserved second chase win off 4lb lower at Sligo early last month (3m2f, gd-yld), his second win at that track; previously ran well on soft at Ballinrobe (2m7f); in fine fettle and should be in the mix again.

100/30

9

4th Nov 2025

Soft

3m 0f 82y

12:45 Fairyhouse

Ballagh Star

10st 7lb

J: Philip Donovan

T: Mrs Y Dunleavy

Gained a deserved second chase win off 4lb lower at Sligo early last month (3m2f, gd-yld), his second win at that track; previously ran well on soft at Ballinrobe (2m7f); in fine fettle and should be in the mix again.

100/30

Form: 350760

Last run: 5 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Maiden hurdle winner last year but mostly quite modest form this year; others preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

15

29th May 2026

Good

2m 5f 145y

19:00 Tramore

Zolpharine

10st 3lb

J: Daniel King

T: John Patrick Ryan

Impressive handicap chase win at Limerick on latest (22.5f, good); now looks to exploit 12lb lower hurdles mark but hasn't won in this sphere since September 2023; in form, though, and can't discount.

3/1

Form: 3031-7

Last run: 217 days

W: 10st 12lb

10 yo Mare

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Landed a 2m7f mares' handicap chase (soft-to-heavy) at Clonmel in April; not seen since well beaten in a Wexford handicap in May when last seen; entitled to need the run and would prefer it softer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

13

21st May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 6f 160y

19:18 Limerick

Eddies Pride

10st 0lb

J: G B Noonan

T: Norman Lee

Both chase wins have been over further and hasn't won in over two years; impossible task at weights in veterans' handicap at this course when last seen but still hard to make a case for.

66/1

OUR TIP

Form: U34P9F

Last run: 69 days

W: 11st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
17-race maiden; placed a couple of times in beginners chases in late summer; fell in a 3m handicap chase at Cork in October when last seen; new headgear tried.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

20th May 2025

Good

3m 1f 185y

Class 4

14:50 Southwell

Just Three

11st 3lb

J: Jack G Gilligan

T: Paul John Gilligan

Irish raider; 0-10 over fences and has same strike-rate over hurdles; not favoured by the weights when well-beaten last of three in recent Killarney beginners' chase and has better chance in this handicap but his record over the last year or so is not compelling.

7/1

3

20th May 2025

Good

3m 1f 185y

Class 4

14:50 Southwell

Just Three

11st 3lb

J: Jack G Gilligan

T: Paul John Gilligan

Irish raider; 0-10 over fences and has same strike-rate over hurdles; not favoured by the weights when well-beaten last of three in recent Killarney beginners' chase and has better chance in this handicap but his record over the last year or so is not compelling.

7/1

2

11th May 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

15:40 Killarney

Just Three

11st 4lb

J: Jack G Gilligan

T: Paul John Gilligan

Vastly inferior hurdler to his two rivals and he's now 0-9 over fences; should be outclassed.

33/1

Form: P40086

Last run: 23 days

W: 10st 7lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
16-race maiden; not beaten far behind Malinas Glory here last month but more needed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

14

21st Dec 2024

Good

3m 1f 22y

12:10 Thurles

Mustameet Secret

10st 7lb

J: Gavin Brouder

T: Hugh Paul Finegan

16-race maiden; not beaten far behind Malinas Glory here last month but more needed.

16/1

14

21st Dec 2024

Good

3m 1f 22y

12:10 Thurles

Mustameet Secret

10st 7lb

J: Gavin Brouder

T: Hugh Paul Finegan

16-race maiden; not beaten far behind Malinas Glory here last month but more needed.

16/1

6th

7

28th Nov 2024

Good

2m 6f 79y

13:15 Thurles

Mustameet Secret

10st 1lb

J: Gavin Brouder

T: Hugh Paul Finegan

Stays well; runner-up in a Sligo handicap hurdle and a 2m7f maiden hurdle here last autumn; not much to recommend of late, including in a Galway handicap chase last time.

25/1

Form: 700488 C

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 12lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Six-time winner but completely out of form since returning to action in October; down to a nice mark though if he can rediscover some.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

16th Apr 2026

Soft

2m 3f 60y

16:30 Limerick

The Little Yank

11st 8lb

J: John Aherne

T: John Patrick Ryan

Veteran improved his hurdles strike-rate to 5-60 with Clonmel victory on the 101st outing of his career in January off 93; generally unpredictable; pulled up on his three most recent attempts.

66/1

3

12th Mar 2026

Soft To Heavy

2m 6f 170y

13:34 Limerick

The Little Yank

11st 10lb

J: John Aherne

T: John Patrick Ryan

Improved his hurdling strike rate to 5-60 with Clonmel victory over Coffeys Forge on the 101st outing of his career; generally unpredictable in recent seasons; pulled up on his two most recent attempts.

20/1

15

10th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 5f 0y

14:25 Limerick

The Little Yank

11st 12lb

J: John Aherne

T: John Patrick Ryan

Improved his hurdling strike rate to 5-60 with Clonmel victory over Coffeys Forge on the 101st outing of his career; generally unpredictable in recent seasons; pulled up at Thurles last Thursday; first reserve.

Form: -5PF41 C

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 11lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
Followed up a good run in a Limerick handicap hurdle with a decisive success in a 2m6f handicap chase here last month; step up in trip here unlikely to be an issue and good claims of following up under a 6lb penalty.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

9th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 4

19:37 Warwick

Malinas Glory

12st 0lb

J: Miss Heidi Palin

T: Miss Hannah Lewis

Ex-Irish; has made a bright start in points for his current trainer, winning twice last month under Heidi Palin; races prominently and should give a good account.

2/1

10th

4

15th Mar 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 4f 176y

15:05 Thurles

Malinas Glory

11st 2lb

J: Conor Stone-Walsh

T: A M O’Grady

Gained a first win under rules in handicap here in November over slightly further (good), heavy ground may have been against him latest two starts; don't rule out him bouncing back.

14/1

11th

8

27th Feb 2025

Heavy

2m 2f 198y

16:35 Clonmel

Malinas Glory

10st 13lb

J: John Aherne

T: A M O’Grady

Gained a first win under rules in a handicap chase at Thurles in November but not as good twice since; needs to bounce back returning to this sphere from 4lb lower hurdle mark.

20/1

Form: P9/187 C

Last run: 5 days

W: 11st 11lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
Scores every so often, most recently in a 2m handicap chase here last month after almost two years off; soundly beaten twice since and uncertain how he will cope with this trip but not dismissed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

6th Mar 2025

Good To Yielding

1m 7f 136y

16:00 Thurles

Turbo

11st 7lb

J: Kevin Sexton

T: J R Finn

led, headed and prominent after 2nd, lost ground quickly and slipped up after 2 out

14/1

5th

6

6th Feb 2025

Good

2m 0f 4y

14:00 Thurles

Turbo

11st 3lb

J: Kevin Sexton

T: J R Finn

prominent, went second before 4th, weakened approaching last, no extra when slightly hampered last

6/1

5th

6

6th Feb 2025

Good

2m 0f 4y

14:00 Thurles

Turbo

11st 3lb

J: Kevin Sexton

T: J R Finn

prominent, went second before 4th, weakened approaching last, no extra when slightly hampered last

6/1

Form: 286P3P D

Last run: 36 days

W: 10st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Winning hurdler but not the most consistent; close third in a 3m handicap chase at Fairyhouse last month followed by a very poor effort at Punchestown; has the ability to get involved.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

19

25th Jan 2025

Soft

3m 2f 0y

13:03 Fairyhouse

Bearwithmenow

10st 0lb

J: Cian Quirke

T: J P Flavin

13-race maiden over fences and far from consistent; couple of reasonable placed efforts this season over 3m1f on decent ground but won't enjoy forecast conditions here; 2lb wrong.

33/1

19

25th Jan 2025

Soft

3m 2f 0y

13:03 Fairyhouse

Bearwithmenow

10st 0lb

J: Cian Quirke

T: J P Flavin

13-race maiden over fences and far from consistent; couple of reasonable placed efforts this season over 3m1f on decent ground but won't enjoy forecast conditions here; 2lb wrong.

33/1

6th

11

29th Dec 2024

Yielding To Soft

2m 6f 120y

12:32 Limerick

Bearwithmenow

10st 5lb

J: Liam Quinlan

T: J P Flavin

12-race maiden over fences and far from consistent; couple of reasonable placed efforts this year over 3m1f on decent ground but poor last twice.

18/1

Form: 0/9-00

Last run: 11 days

W: 10st 0lb

12 yo Gelding

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Off for a year and now show in a pair of handicap hurdles in the past month, although not disgraced over 3m at Punchestown last week; others much more likely.
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

Non-runners

Lady Kate

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €70.00
Straight Forecast €48.36
Tricast €546.85
Trifecta €734.30

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Malinas Glory

The Irish Sun:

Ballagh Star

POSTDATA:

Mustameet Secret

TOPSPEED:

Eddies Pride

RP RATINGS (IRE):

Malinas Glory