December 26 / 13.58 Down Royal

13.58

Good To Yielding

Metcollect Handicap Chase

  • Prize money: £5130.43
  • 2m 4f 130y
  • 17 runners
RTV
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Metcollect Handicap Chase

Runners: 17 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

Form: 715667 D

Last run: 12 days

W: 12st 0lb

5 yo Mare

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Dual winner over hurdles earlier in the year, stays this far and handles goodish ground; quiet so far over fences but plenty of winning chasers in her family and no surprise if she's competitive on handicap debut (8lb lower than hurdles mark).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

16th May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 4f 0y

14:05 Wexford

One Night Standard

11st 5lb

J: Charlie O’Dwyer

T: Conor O’Dwyer

Dual hurdles winner for Gavin Cromwell; had been running some okay races over fences in her final runs for her former yard; back down to last winning mark now back over timber.

13/1

2

5th Aug 2025

Yielding

2m 5f 155y

19:30 Roscommon

One Night Standard

12st 0lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: Gavin Cromwell

0-7 over fences but has run ok in defeat; shaped nicely when third in a C&D beginners' on penultimate and that form has since been boosted by the fourth Born Bright; go well back in handicap company with the cheekpieces worn last time left off.

7/1

15

1st Jul 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 3f 155y

16:50 Tipperary

One Night Standard

11st 5lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: Gavin Cromwell

Two-time winning hurdler rated 110 in that discipline; 0-6 over fences and rated 7lb lower; not a bad run in a beginners' at Roscommon last month and cheekpieces could eke out more; go well for last year's winning yard.

17/2

Form: 13-570 C

Last run: 34 days

W: 12st 0lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Two good runs over hurdles here in the spring including win over 2m6f; held lately and now makes chase debut off hurdles mark (fell early in only point).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

9

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 100y

Class 1

13:00 Kelso

Tankardstown Diva

11st 0lb

J: Jack Andrews

T: T Ellis

Highly progressive for new yard this season and has won handicaps on her last four hurdle starts (2m7f-3m1f, good-soft), most recently in comfortable fashion at Ludlow last month; this is a much tougher test of her credentials but it remains to be seen where her limitations now lie.

9/1

1st

4

26th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 174y

Class 3

14:42 Ludlow

Tankardstown Diva

11st 7lb

J: Jack Andrews

T: T Ellis

3-7 for new stable since last summer, with one win gained over C&D (good) and the latest at Plumpton (3m1f, soft) last month; this race is more competitive but she might still be on the upgrade.

9/2

1st

2

26th Jan 2026

Soft

3m 0f 217y

Class 4

15:20 Plumpton

Tankardstown Diva

11st 11lb

J: Jack Andrews

T: T Ellis

Won on yielding ground in Ireland but her two hurdle wins (2m7f and 3m) in October were both on good ground and good to soft is probably as slow as she wants it; fell on her return to fences before Christmas and needs to justify a career-high mark, 7lb higher than her latest win.

7/2

OUR TIP

Form: 745246 D

Last run: 11 days

W: 11st 13lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
Doesn't strike very often and winless since September of last year; had been running okay prior to heavy defeat last time but is thoroughly exposed.
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

Form: 1P-657 CD

Last run: 97 days

W: 11st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Had a couple of runs under his belt when winning this on softer ground last year off 95; not done much since and been off three months this time ahead of repeat bid.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12

19th Sep 2025

Yielding

2m 7f 110y

17:01 Downpatrick

Eagle Terrace

10st 6lb

J: Conor Stone-Walsh

T: Noel C Kelly

Tailed off in three starts this year (two over fences); was a two-time winner in 2023 but hard to recommend now.

18/1

8th

8

12th Sep 2025

Yielding

2m 7f 6y

18:30 Ballinrobe

Eagle Terrace

11st 7lb

J: Alex Harvey

T: Noel C Kelly

Won twice over fences in 2023 but has shown very little since; hard to recommend on what he's shown this year.

33/1

10th

2

8th Aug 2025

Good

3m 0f 0y

18:38 Wexford

Eagle Terrace

11st 13lb

J: Alex Harvey

T: Noel C Kelly

Has lost his way since winning a Down Royal handicap chase in December 2023; didn't show enough on return from an absence latest; likely best watched back over hurdles.

20/1

Form: 824216

Last run: 63 days

W: 11st 11lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Been in good heart this year with a couple of seconds over nearly this far and game all-the-way 2m2f win at Gowran; well held off this mark last time but has run well around here before.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

8th May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 3f 100y

19:05 Downpatrick

Finnians Row

11st 8lb

J: Liam McKenna

T: Dermot A McLoughlin

His three chase wins includes one at this course and was in decent form last autumn; however, has questions to answer after being pulled-up both runs this spring; blinkers replace visor.

8/1

4

10th Apr 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 3f 100y

19:08 Wexford

Finnians Row

11st 10lb

J: Niall Moore

T: Dermot A McLoughlin

C&D winner last August off this mark (good); pulled up on last month's comeback here on soft but entitled to come on for that and ground coming in his favour.

12/1

2

17th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 3f 100y

16:32 Wexford

Finnians Row

12st 0lb

J: Patrick M O’Brien

T: Dermot A McLoughlin

C&D winner last August off 3lb lower but only by the skin of his teeth and has been beaten between 10l and 14l in his last three races; needs to pull out more to win again but should run well.

8/1

Form: 59F030 C BF

Last run: 10 days

W: 11st 9lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Mare has been mixing it since joining yard late last year; won hurdle here and chase at Downpatrick in the spring; good run over hurdles at Navan last month but poor effort since; visor tried for second time and couldn't rule her out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

6

22nd Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 207y

Class 2

15:17 Carlisle

OFaolains Glory

10st 13lb

J: Conor Rabbitt

T: Susan Corbett

Didn't have a good strike-rate over hurdles or fences but then went back-to-back in 2m4f handicap chases on good to soft at Musselburgh late last year; 5lb higher than for that latest 5l success and her subsequent defeat was over hurdles; chance.

12/1

4th

10

1st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 171y

Class 4

14:30 Musselburgh

OFaolains Glory

11st 7lb

J: Conor Rabbitt

T: Susan Corbett

Wins a Musselburgh (2m4f) the last twice took her chase record to 3-10; only 1-22 over hurdles and has to deal with a career-high mark back in this sphere.

12/1

2nd

2

11th Oct 2025

Good

1m 7f 133y

Class 5

13:55 Hexham

OFaolains Glory

11st 13lb

J: Conor Rabbitt

T: Susan Corbett

Just 1-22 over hurdles but was a front-running second off 2lb lower at Kelso (2m2f, good) last month; mixed results in her six runs over fences but she had a win in Ireland last spring and still has potential in this sphere; not ruled out back in trip.

100/30

Form: 087-35

Last run: 16 days

W: 11st 7lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Had some good form in points/hunter chases around two years ago; struggled in handicaps before creditable third over 3m at Punchestown and staying-on fifth in 3m hurdle since; trip might be sharp but comes here in good shape.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

10th Dec 2024

Yielding

2m 7f 182y

15:20 Punchestown

Le Malin

11st 7lb

J: Mr N McParlan

T: S McParlan

Three-time hurdle winner in France a few years ago and a point-to-point winner for current connections; back from 276-day absence with good third in 3m handicap chase here last month and not one to rule out back hurdling off same mark.

12/1

Form: 8-0699 C

Last run: 16 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Ex-pointer won 2m4f hurdle off 85 here in March and couple of okay runs in that sphere lately; respectable run in Sligo chase in October and booking of Flanagan takes the eye on handicap debut.
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: -PU05P

Last run: 125 days

W: 11st 3lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Bit of early promise in bumpers/hurdles but not shown much over fences, and latterly points, this year; bit better when placed in good-ground point last time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

30th Oct 2025

Good

2m 5f 80y

14:30 Thurles

On The Tide

11st 12lb

J: Philip Donovan

T: Seamus Neville

Off the mark chasing in 2m4f Wexford handicap in April (yielding), always behind on last month's seasonal return at Listowel; completely tailed off at Downpatrick; up against it.

25/1

7

30th Oct 2025

Good

2m 5f 80y

14:30 Thurles

On The Tide

11st 12lb

J: Philip Donovan

T: Seamus Neville

Off the mark chasing in 2m4f Wexford handicap in April (yielding), always behind on last month's seasonal return at Listowel; completely tailed off at Downpatrick; up against it.

25/1

1

10th Oct 2025

Yielding To Soft

2m 7f 150y

17:37 Downpatrick

On The Tide

12st 0lb

J: Eoin Staples

T: Seamus Neville

Off the mark chasing in 2m4f Wexford handicap in April (yielding), always behind on last month's seasonal return at Listowel; expected to come on for that.

12/1

Form: 8437-F

Last run: 45 days

W: 11st 2lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Dual hurdles winner in Britain a couple of years ago and placed at Navan (2m4f) in March; well beaten in race won by Perfect Pupil later that month and then was off until falling early on chase debut last month.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

11th Nov 2024

Good

2m 3f 210y

Class 5

15:05 Carlisle

Maimies Magic

11st 11lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: S R B Crawford

Two hurdle wins, at 2m2f and 2m1f, and has form over 2m6f; below best under conditions that should have suited in March and rather hard to know what to expect now sent over fences with tongue-tie left off.

9/2

Form: 66-795

Last run: 54 days

W: 10st 13lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Best chase run was when beaten 10l in C&D handicap in April; little since and now tried in new headgear combo.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

1st Nov 2025

Good

2m 3f 120y

15:15 Down Royal

Ivar The Boneless

11st 0lb

J: Donagh Meyler

T: R K Watson

Fifteen race maiden and rated just 82 over fences; out of his depth in this company.

150/1

4

1st Nov 2025

Good

2m 3f 120y

15:15 Down Royal

Ivar The Boneless

11st 0lb

J: Donagh Meyler

T: R K Watson

Fifteen race maiden and rated just 82 over fences; out of his depth in this company.

150/1

12th

8

5th Feb 2025

Heavy

2m 3f 165y

15:55 Fairyhouse

Ivar The Boneless

10st 7lb

J: Ben Harvey

T: R K Watson

Soundly beaten in handicap chases of late; blinkers replace cheekpieces but hard to fancy back hurdling.

20/1

Form: /P-00P

Last run: 142 days

W: 10st 13lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Won a point a couple of years ago but modest performer under rules; well beaten all three handicap chase starts.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

15th Jul 2025

Good

2m 5f 185y

15:48 Downpatrick

Rose Of Kalanisi

11st 5lb

J: Kieren Buckley

T: Conor David Maxwell

Had been chasing in the previous year without success but got off the mark over hurdles on debut for this yard at Kelso in April; has to be respected.

11/4

1st

3

22nd Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 5

15:05 Kelso

Rose Of Kalanisi

11st 8lb

J: Kieren Buckley

T: Conor David Maxwell

Irish raider with 0-14 strike-rate under rules; didn't run badly in a soft-ground handicap chase (3m) on latest outing in January but is quite tricky to weigh up on her return to hurdling for a new stable.

16/1

Form: 500851

Last run: 5 days

W: 10st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Prominent racer won 2m6f hurdle at Downpatrick in the summer and off the mark over fences when well-backed winner at Thurles (3m1f) on Saturday; rider's claim negates 7lb penalty; good ground is said to be crucial for him.
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

Form: 0P008- C

Last run: 297 days

W: 10st 7lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Old boy won this three years ago but well beaten in last year's renewal and been off nearly 10 months.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

9

13th Apr 2025

Good

3m 2f 50y

17:05 Down Royal

School Lane

10st 7lb

J: Caragh Monaghan

T: Liam Lennon

Veteran is 3-42 over fences; all three wins on soft ground, the latest in May 2022; has won over 2m1f here but his third here on his penultimate start over 20.5f was a remote one; beaten 22l here over that trip latest; stepping back up in distance will suit; place chance.

5/1

5th

9

13th Apr 2025

Good

3m 2f 50y

17:05 Down Royal

School Lane

10st 7lb

J: Caragh Monaghan

T: Liam Lennon

Veteran is 3-42 over fences; all three wins on soft ground, the latest in May 2022; has won over 2m1f here but his third here on his penultimate start over 20.5f was a remote one; beaten 22l here over that trip latest; stepping back up in distance will suit; place chance.

5/1

9

21st Jan 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 4f 100y

15:15 Down Royal

School Lane

10st 8lb

J: Caragh Monaghan

T: Liam Lennon

Veteran's last win came in 3m Downpatrick handicap chase in May 2022; encouraging enough C&D comeback run at Christmas but ideally wants softer ground.

9/1

Form: 0P35-7

Last run: 30 days

W: 10st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Placed in 2m4f hurdle here in March after seven months off, showed up well for a long way before tiring on chase debut at Fairyhouse; headgear.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form: 6-6856

Last run: 41 days

W: 10st 4lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Old boy finds winning difficult; ran respectably in handicap chases last twice but others preferred; new headgear combination
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

13

8th May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 7f 150y

19:35 Downpatrick

Mastermind

10st 3lb

J: Gavin Brouder

T: Ms Helen P Markham

Dual hurdle winner got off the mark over fences at Down Royal last month, beating Hardy Diamond by 1.75l; should run well again raised 3lb.

4/1

1st

15

12th Apr 2026

Good

3m 2f 50y

17:07 Down Royal

Mastermind

10st 0lb

J: Gavin Brouder

T: Ms Helen P Markham

Dual winning hurdler is 0-13 chasing; one of his better efforts came at Thurles in February when a 9.75l third (2m6f, soft to heavy); didn't back that up when tailed off at Limerick last time (2m7f, heavy).

33/1

Form: 47P-P9

Last run: 12 days

W: 11st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Reserve; some okay maiden hurdle runs last year before losing his form; tailed off on yard debut lately and now makes chase debut with headgear left off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

22nd Jul 2025

Yielding

2m 6f 41y

19:12 Ballinrobe

Tom Kelly

11st 5lb

J: Sean O’Keeffe

T: Mrs Jayne Hearne

Maiden has struggled since switched to handicaps; returns to this yard after a fruitless spell with Kevin Smith; off since February and has failed to complete three of last five starts; passed over.

33/1

9th

7

24th Feb 2025

Heavy

2m 4f 23y

16:43 Punchestown

Tom Kelly

11st 5lb

J: James Smith

T: Kevin Michael Smith

Lost form for his previous trainer; no sign of a recovery in two starts for this stable; addition of blinkers will need to make a major difference.

25/1

Betting Forcast

5/1 One Night Standard, 12/1 Tankardstown Diva, 16/1 Room To Roam, 10/1 Eagle Terrace, 8/1 Finnians Row, 8/1 OFaolains Glory, 15/2 Le Malin, 12/1 Perfect Pupil, 16/1 On The Tide, 14/1 Maimies Magic, 22/1 Ivar The Boneless, 40/1 Rose Of Kalanisi, 3/1 Cullenwaine, 33/1 School Lane, 11/1 Without Exception, 16/1 Mastermind, Tom Kelly

Selections

POSTDATA:

Cullenwaine

SPOTLIGHT:

One Night Standard

RP RATINGS (IRE):

Room To Roam

The Irish Sun:

Cullenwaine