December 26 / 12.48 Down Royal

12.48

Good To Yielding

Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £6413.04
  • 2m 1f 53y
  • 16 runners
RTV
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Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 16 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

Form: 06-612 CD

Last run: 79 days

W: 12st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
C&D winner on good ground in August (has won on soft too) and bumped into an improver when second at Galway; decent run on AW since to keep him ticking over and trainer's small string in good heart.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

24th Apr 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 3f 50y

17:56 Kilbeggan

Jinxs Link

11st 9lb

J: J J Slevin

T: M M Rice

Two hurdle wins include a success here; tailed off in a Fairyhouse beginners' chase returning from almost a year off and pulled up over hurdles at the same venue last time; needs to return to form.

15/1

11

21st Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 4f 50y

14:38 Fairyhouse

Jinxs Link

11st 1lb

J: J J Slevin

T: M M Rice

Dual hurdles winner was a 15.5l fourth when last seen over timber in January last year; tailed off on seasonal return here last month in a beginners' chase; others more likely.

50/1

8th

2

14th Jan 2026

Yielding

2m 1f 30y

14:50 Fairyhouse

Jinxs Link

11st 12lb

J: James Smith

T: M M Rice

Rated 101 over hurdles following two wins in that sphere; makes chasing debut following almost a year off and likely to find a few too talented.

20/1

OUR TIP

Form: 69618P D

Last run: 40 days

W: 11st 13lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
Got his head back in front over fences in October (2m5f), well held over hurdles since; second over this trip when hurdling last year but others may have more toe than him at this stage.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

19

16th Nov 2024

Good To Yielding

2m 4f 50y

12:15 Navan

Gladiatorial

11st 1lb

J: Jody McGarvey

T: Noel C Kelly

Looked booked for second when presented with victory by the faller of the leader at the last in a handicap chase at Sligo last month; well beaten in a handicap hurdle at the same venue last time; a long time since he won over hurdles.

25/1

Form: 68-968 D

Last run: 97 days

W: 11st 12lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Like stablemate Gladiatorial, he's fully exposed at this stage; well held in three hurdle outings this year but did run creditably on AW last week.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

23rd May 2025

Good

2m 3f 100y

18:37 Downpatrick

Darkened

11st 12lb

J: Ben Harvey

T: John C McConnell

9yo who has had a lot of racing and steered clear of fences since finishing fourth of seven at Clonmel two years ago; however, was running well before finishing second in a claiming hurdle last time and he's now with John McConnell.

4/1

3rd

3

23rd May 2025

Good

2m 3f 100y

18:37 Downpatrick

Darkened

11st 12lb

J: Ben Harvey

T: John C McConnell

9yo who has had a lot of racing and steered clear of fences since finishing fourth of seven at Clonmel two years ago; however, was running well before finishing second in a claiming hurdle last time and he's now with John McConnell.

4/1

2nd

5

14th Apr 2025

Yielding

2m 0f 160y

16:25 Tramore

Darkened

10st 10lb

J: Danny Gilligan

T: Noel C Kelly

Second runner for yard; dual-purpose; 3-26 over hurdles and rated 98; in good form on the AW in recent weeks and ran well on his only previous visit to this track; goes on any ground, notable jockey booking and not without a chance.

5/1

Form: 408-46

Last run: 193 days

W: 11st 11lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Some fair runs in maidens and when midfield on handicap debut over this trip; well beaten when last seen at Downpatrick in June.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

24th Oct 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 4f 11y

16:20 Sligo

Kinbara Hills

11st 1lb

J: Patrick M O’Brien

T: S Wilson

Maiden has been dropping down the handicap this year; best run came when beaten just over 7l at Fairyhouse last time over 2m; down 2lb and needs to find more up in trip.

7/1

7th

10

11th Oct 2025

Yielding

2m 0f 0y

16:40 Fairyhouse

Kinbara Hills

11st 3lb

J: John Shinnick

T: S Wilson

Has run well enough at times in maidens but handicap form needs plenty of improving upon; second start for this yard.

22/1

Form: /517/0

Last run: 11 days

W: 11st 7lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Gained only win when beating useful sort over 3m at Galway festival in 2022; out the back over 2m on recent return from two years off.
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: 00-300

Last run: 125 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Got his mark from finishing third in bunched finish to 2m3f maiden at Kilbeggan in May; has shown nothing apart from that and was 100-1 when running poorly on handicap debut at that venue.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

8

8th May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 3f 100y

19:05 Downpatrick

Silent Dawn

11st 0lb

J: Sean Flanagan

T: Adrian Murray

Placed a few times over hurdles including at this course; poor on the Flat and over hurdles when last seen; needs best on chasing debut/return.

14/1

11th

5

(9)

9th Oct 2025

Yielding

2m 0f 66y

16:40 Thurles

Silent Dawn

10st 2lb

J: Nathan Crosse

T: Adrian Murray

No wins from 13 in bumpers/hurdles but beaten only a head at Downpatrick in August; makes Flat debut; others appeal more on this occasion.

20/1

6

19th Sep 2025

Yielding

2m 1f 165y

15:21 Downpatrick

Silent Dawn

11st 2lb

J: Sean Flanagan

T: Adrian Murray

No wins from 12 but went mighty close over C&D (good) last time when denied by a head; his form is in and out, but a repeat of his last run will see him go close off 2lb higher; ground is a slight unknown.

11/4

Form: 6/9080

Last run: 41 days

W: 11st 6lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Better on the Flat (three wins) than over jumps; well held over 2m4f latest two hurdle outings and blinkers weren't the answer last time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

11

8th May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 5f 180y

17:35 Downpatrick

Lun Deux Trois

11st 0lb

J: James Duggan

T: Oliver McKiernan

Three-time Flat winner but remains a maiden over jumps; two poor runs over fences in 2025; hard to fancy.

25/1

13th

15

2nd May 2026

Yielding

2m 0f 0y

18:35 Punchestown

Lun Deux Trois

12st 0lb

J: Mikael De Santane Andrade

T: Oliver McKiernan

Three-time Flat winner rated 64, on long losing run, off since August, hard to fancy.

33/1

10

29th Aug 2025

Yielding

2m 3f 100y

19:05 Wexford

Lun Deux Trois

10st 5lb

J: Phillip Enright

T: Oliver McKiernan

Three-time Flat winner but remains a maiden over jumps and was well behind Doyen Magic last time in a 2m4f handicap chase.

25/1

Form: 584022 C

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Mixes hurdling and chasing to good effect and stays a lot further than this trip; won 2m hurdle at Navan last November and found only one of his 22 rivals too good in same race last month; second off his much higher chase rating since; cheekpieces swopped for blinkers.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

10

29th Mar 2026

Yielding To Soft

3m 4f 120y

16:27 Downpatrick

St Deniss Well

10st 11lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Ian Patrick Donoghue

Mixed form this season, best efforts over hurdles at Navan, winning 2m handicap and second to a progressive horse over 2m4f last time; two less encouraging runs over fences, well beaten in sixth in the 3m6f Porterstown Chase and pulled up at Leopardstown when found to have blood at both nostrils; trainer won this last year.

11/2

2nd

4

28th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 4f 0y

14:25 Navan

St Deniss Well

11st 9lb

J: James Smith

T: Ian Patrick Donoghue

Six-time winner split evenly between hurdles and fences; began season with two poor runs over hurdles but returned to form when making all to land a gamble in a 2m handicap hurdle here in November (heavy); well beaten in sixth in the 3m6f Poterstown Chase and pulled up at Leopardstown when last seen when found to have blood at both nostrils; chance at his best

13/2

9th

5

18th Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 70y

16:00 Limerick

St Deniss Well

11st 6lb

J: Sam Ewing

T: Ian Patrick Donoghue

Has lost his way since scoring off 8lb lower at Downpatrick last December; rated much higher over fences but didn't show enough on return from a break at Fairyhouse to make him of interest here.

16/1

Form: 00-65O

Last run: 12 days

W: 11st 5lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Has shown ability off modest marks on the Flat; fair fifth on handicap hurdle debut at Fairyhouse and rider's reins snapped back there last time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

3

24th Apr 2025

Good

2m 2f 50y

17:15 Kilbeggan

Albatala

11st 13lb

J: Alex Harvey

T: John C McConnell

prominent

14/1

11th

3

24th Apr 2025

Good

2m 2f 50y

17:15 Kilbeggan

Albatala

11st 13lb

J: Alex Harvey

T: John C McConnell

prominent

14/1

Form: -80363

Last run: 130 days

W: 11st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Third runner for trainer who paid 17,000GBP for him out of 'Shark' Hanlon's yard; almost made the breakthrough when close third at Tramore when last seen in August (2m1f, good); 2lb higher.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

9

15th May 2026

Good To Yielding

1m 7f 153y

17:20 Kilbeggan

Fort Randall

11st 5lb

J: Mr O McGill

T: Noel C Kelly

Subject of a gamble here last time (2-1 fav') when gaining first win back from a 458-day absence on second start (2m3f, good to yielding) for this stable; up 14lb but it was an easy win so he might be up to going in again.

7/2

1st

18

24th Apr 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 3f 50y

17:23 Kilbeggan

Fort Randall

11st 3lb

J: Mr O McGill

T: Noel C Kelly

Second reserve; beaten 25l when last seen at Down Royal in January but is capable of better for a shrewd yard, so keep an eye on the market.

Form: 000/F-

Last run: 284 days

W: 11st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Been running well on AW lately (rated 75) and you would think there should be a race or two in him over hurdles from what looks a good mark; was running okay when falling two out over 2m4f on handicap debut here in March; shorter trip and better ground are likely positives.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

10

2nd Nov 2025

Yielding

2m 0f 0y

13:10 Cork

Pralognan

10st 6lb

J: Kevin Sexton

T: A J Martin

Dual-purpose; won off 5lb lower at Downpatrick in June (2m2f, yld-sft) and followed up on the Flat at Newcastle 13 days later; below par in three runs on the level since; career best needed off current mark on return to this sphere.

7/2

3rd

10

2nd Nov 2025

Yielding

2m 0f 0y

13:10 Cork

Pralognan

10st 6lb

J: Kevin Sexton

T: A J Martin

Dual-purpose; won off 5lb lower at Downpatrick in June (2m2f, yld-sft) and followed up on the Flat at Newcastle 13 days later; below par in three runs on the level since; career best needed off current mark on return to this sphere.

7/2

Form: 988-23

Last run: 10 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Runner-up on handicap debut at Wexford (soft) and then beaten less than a length when third of 19 on goodish ground at Naas; leading contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form: 9P0

Last run: 138 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
4yo from family of smart jumper Mariah Rollins not shown much yet and makes handicap debut here; talented rider on board.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

10th Apr 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 4f 0y

16:55 Wexford

Cowper Hall

11st 12lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: Gavin Cromwell

Won off 14lb lower on last run over timber at Fairyhouse in December; last two runs in chases, unseating at Tramore and well beaten at Thurles; could rebound returned to this discipline.

6/1

5th

2

29th Jan 2026

Soft To Heavy

2m 4f 198y

13:25 Thurles

Cowper Hall

11st 12lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: Gavin Cromwell

Showed much-improved form to get off the mark over hurdles at Fairyhouse last month (2m4f, soft); detcahed when unseating his rider on 2m chase debut at Tramore on New Year's Day; step up in trip should help; cheekpieces.

3/1

Form: 083690

Last run: 72 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
AW winner in Britain over 1m2f; placed in Kilbeggan maiden but handicap form modest so far; drops back from 2m4f.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

12

3rd Apr 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 0y

15:45 Naas

Gilded Moon

11st 0lb

J: Liam McKenna

T: Alan Fleming

AW winner in Britain over 1m2f; placed in Kilbeggan maiden hurdle last summer but handicap form very modest so far; difficult to recommend at this moment in time.

20/1

12

3rd Apr 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 0y

15:45 Naas

Gilded Moon

11st 0lb

J: Liam McKenna

T: Alan Fleming

AW winner in Britain over 1m2f; placed in Kilbeggan maiden hurdle last summer but handicap form very modest so far; difficult to recommend at this moment in time.

20/1

Form: 566-

Last run: 334 days

W: 10st 13lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Has shown ability from modest marks on AW and ran well after eight months off at Dundalk lately; respectable efforts in a couple of juvenile hurdles last winter and opening mark could be exploitable; new headgear combo.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14

(3)

14th Feb 2025

Standard

1m 2f 150y

19:15 Dundalk (AW)

Adare Beauty

8st 8lb

J: Wesley Joyce

T: Thomas Dowling

Glimpses of form here albeit over shorter trips; not an obvious one.

16/1

Form: 000

Last run: 18 days

W: 10st 4lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
3yo ran respectably on debut at Galway in October, no show since; handicap debut and Backfromtheraces would appear the stable's main hope.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15

11th May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 4f 50y

18:07 Killarney

Maxios Prime

10st 4lb

J: Tiernan Power Roche

T: P J Rothwell

Her only win was off 10lb lower but she's been running consistently well in handicaps, including a fourth of 18 at the Dublin Racing Festival; respected off her light weight.

7/1

4th

3

21st Mar 2026

Soft To Heavy

2m 0f 0y

14:32 Navan

Maxios Prime

10st 10lb

J: Tiernan Power Roche

T: P J Rothwell

Solid form in handicaps; probably needed Limerick run at Christmas after a break; good DRF run when fourth of 18 behind the progressive Cousin Kate; has an edge over Catchabird based on a more recent Leopardstown run.

5/1

Betting Forcast

6/1 Jinxs Link, 18/1 Gladiatorial, 14/1 Darkened, 16/1 Kinbara Hills, 25/1 Nathaniels Dream, 66/1 Silent Dawn, 40/1 Lun Deux Trois, 7/2 St Deniss Well, 12/1 Albatala, 11/1 Fort Randall, 9/2 Pralognan, 5/1 Backfromtheraces, 28/1 Cowper Hall, 33/1 Gilded Moon, 9/1 Adare Beauty, 22/1 Maxios Prime

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Backfromtheraces

RP RATINGS (IRE):

St Denis's Well

The Irish Sun:

Backfromtheraces

POSTDATA:

St Denis's Well