December 27 / 14.36 Limerick

14.36

Yielding To Soft

Grant Thornton Ladies Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £5900
  • 2m 4f 0y
  • 11 runners
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Grant Thornton Ladies Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

6/4 (Won)

  • Win: £3.00
  • Place: £1.50

Form: 4207-1

Last run: 223 days

W: 11st 3lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
Had six races for Nicky Henderson, winning the latest at Uttoxeter in May (2m, good to soft) when getting up in the nick of time; has to be of strong interest on debut for Willie Mullins and he's still in the same ownership; should be fine over this far.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

29th Mar 2026

Yielding To Soft

2m 3f 100y

17:00 Downpatrick

Strutter

11st 12lb

J: Paul Townend

T: W P Mullins

Winner of his last two handicap hurdle races seven months apart, at Uttoxeter for Nicky Henderson in May 2024 and on first run for Willie Mullins at Limerick in December that year; ought to be capable of much better than at Leopardstown on chasing; far too keen then, and dropped away very quickly before the last; tongue-tie now in addition to hood.

5/2

7th

9

3rd Mar 2026

Soft To Heavy

2m 5f 120y

16:25 Leopardstown

Strutter

11st 12lb

J: Danny Mullins

T: W P Mullins

Winner of his last two handicap hurdle races seven months apart, at Uttoxeter for Nicky Henderson in May 2024 and on first run for Willie Mullins at Limerick in December that year; has a lengthy absence to overcome on chase debut.

11/4

20/1

  • Place: £5.20

Form: 0P-PP0 C

Last run: 19 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Won at the Christmas meeting here 12 months ago but has been out of form ever since.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

20th Aug 2025

Good

3m 1f 118y

19:38 Sligo

Storm Mahler

11st 6lb

J: Calum Hogan

T: E McNamara

Three wins at up to 2m6f but not for a while; Tipperary comeback run last month very promising but didn't back that up at Killarney; possibly vulnerable to stronger stayers here and ideally wants it softer.

12/1

11th

13

17th Jul 2025

Good

2m 4f 85y

18:37 Killarney

Storm Mahler

11st 1lb

J: Calum Hogan

T: E McNamara

Made an error at the last when beaten roughly 2l behind Queenofthelodge at Tipperary a fortnight ago; 3lb rise is fine and entitled to come on for that first run in six months; two of his wins have come on heavy so warrants respect.

8/1

15

3rd Jul 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 4f 90y

19:20 Tipperary

Storm Mahler

11st 4lb

J: Calum Hogan

T: E McNamara

Return to form of sorts when 6.5l second at Limerick over Christmas last time (2m4f, yielding to soft); winner off a mark of 100 in 2023; appears to like softer conditions.

18/1

12/1

  • Place: £2.40

Form: 242254 BF

Last run: 82 days

W: 11st 3lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
Made it 0-10 over fences last time but he's a dual hurdle winner who went close on his last start in this discipline (2m7f); 2m4f might be on the tight side but has each-way claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

12th Mar 2026

Soft To Heavy

2m 6f 170y

13:34 Limerick

My Friend The Wind

11st 6lb

J: Calum Hogan

T: E McNamara

Won over fences at Kilbeggan last August (3m2f, good to yielding); ran respectably next time at Ballinrobe (2m7f, soft); pulled up in a handicap hurdle last time; trainer has a stronger contender in Gaelic Des Chastys.

16/1

2

26th Jan 2026

Heavy

2m 7f 0y

16:10 Punchestown

My Friend The Wind

11st 12lb

J: Calum Hogan

T: E McNamara

Added a chase win to his brace of hurdle successes when winning at Kilbeggan in August (3m2f, good to yielding); ran respectably next time at Ballinrobe (2m7f, soft); tailed off at Killarney when last seen in October; reverts to hurdles now, and chance at his best.

14/1

3rd

9

12th Sep 2025

Yielding

2m 7f 6y

18:30 Ballinrobe

My Friend The Wind

11st 4lb

J: G B Noonan

T: E McNamara

Hurdle winner at this track and opened his chase account with a neck success at Kilbeggan three weeks ago; may have won by further without an error in the closing stages and 5lb rise looks workable.

4/1

Form: 3-4647

Last run: 119 days

W: 10st 2lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Bumper/maiden form not devoid of promise and a tongue-tie is added for handicap debut; could be interesting, especially if there's money for this 4yo filly.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

15th Aug 2025

Good

2m 5f 0y

19:49 Tramore

Rose Boum

11st 3lb

J: Eoin Staples

T: Paul Nolan

Just held on when scoring at Punchestown (2m3f, gd-yld) in June off 92; weakened late over 2m4f off 3lb higher at Wexford latest; not sure this step up in trip will suit on that evidence.

7/1

5

24th Jul 2025

Yielding

2m 4f 0y

17:45 Wexford

Rose Boum

11st 5lb

J: Ms H Phillips

T: Paul Nolan

Went close over C&D in May and off the mark under this rider off 92 at Punchestown last month (Warm In Gorey third); raised another 3lb but should go well again for local yard.

5/2

1st

14

8th Jun 2025

Good

2m 3f 12y

14:35 Punchestown

Rose Boum

10st 0lb

J: Ms H Phillips

T: Paul Nolan

Has run well the last twice since returning from a break; particularly when pulling 25L clear with one other when second at Wexford last time; raised 6lb for that but she appears to have responded well to the application of blinkers and she may get her day in the sun here; jockey has plenty of point-to-point experience.

9/2

OUR TIP

Form: 107-20

Last run: 40 days

W: 12st 0lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Flat winner for Aidan O'Brien and fourth in the Boodles at Cheltenham two seasons ago when tried in cheekpieces (absent since); second after a break at Punchestown (2m7f, good) and could bounce back from his Navan defeat with the cheekpieces returning.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

27th Dec 2024

Yielding To Soft

2m 4f 0y

14:36 Limerick

Sundial

12st 0lb

J: Miss A B O’Connor

T: Padraig Roche

Flat winner for Aidan O'Brien and fourth in the Boodles at Cheltenham two seasons ago when tried in cheekpieces (absent since); second after a break at Punchestown (2m7f, good) and could bounce back from his Navan defeat with the cheekpieces returning.

9/2

5th

2

27th Dec 2024

Yielding To Soft

2m 4f 0y

14:36 Limerick

Sundial

12st 0lb

J: Miss A B O’Connor

T: Padraig Roche

Flat winner for Aidan O'Brien and fourth in the Boodles at Cheltenham two seasons ago when tried in cheekpieces (absent since); second after a break at Punchestown (2m7f, good) and could bounce back from his Navan defeat with the cheekpieces returning.

9/2

10th

11

17th Nov 2024

Good To Yielding

2m 6f 100y

13:55 Navan

Sundial

11st 0lb

J: Mark Walsh

T: Padraig Roche

in touch with leaders

10/1

Form: 9U65U6 D

Last run: 19 days

W: 11st 3lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
His last two wins have been over fences and was found wanting back over hurdles at Cork earlier this month; others appeal more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

30th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 80y

15:51 Listowel

King Ferdinand

11st 12lb

J: E Walsh

T: Eugene M O’Sullivan

Five-time winner is best watched on return from such a long absence unless market speaks positively.

25/1

6th

5

27th Dec 2024

Yielding To Soft

2m 4f 0y

14:36 Limerick

King Ferdinand

11st 3lb

J: Miss M O’Sullivan

T: Eugene M O’Sullivan

His last two wins have been over fences and was found wanting back over hurdles at Cork earlier this month; others appeal more.

16/1

6th

5

27th Dec 2024

Yielding To Soft

2m 4f 0y

14:36 Limerick

King Ferdinand

11st 3lb

J: Miss M O’Sullivan

T: Eugene M O’Sullivan

His last two wins have been over fences and was found wanting back over hurdles at Cork earlier this month; others appeal more.

16/1

Form: 186894 CD

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 3lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
Won this two years ago off the same mark and back to some sort of form when fourth in a Thurles handicap hurdle four weeks ago; now rated much higher over fences and has possibilities for sure.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

2

28th Jan 2025

Soft To Heavy

2m 5f 0y

13:05 Limerick

Optional Mix

11st 4lb

J: Niall Moore

T: Eoin Doyle

Three-time chase winner is 2-24 over timber, including a win here on heavy over 2m4f; rated 22lb higher over fences but has been out of sorts since winning a handicap chase at Kilbeggan in June; first time cheekpieces and tongue tie combination needs to spark a revival.

20/1

10th

2

28th Jan 2025

Soft To Heavy

2m 5f 0y

13:05 Limerick

Optional Mix

11st 4lb

J: Niall Moore

T: Eoin Doyle

Three-time chase winner is 2-24 over timber, including a win here on heavy over 2m4f; rated 22lb higher over fences but has been out of sorts since winning a handicap chase at Kilbeggan in June; first time cheekpieces and tongue tie combination needs to spark a revival.

20/1

8th

2

19th Jan 2025

Good

2m 5f 186y

14:35 Thurles

Optional Mix

11st 8lb

J: Niall Moore

T: Eoin Doyle

Struggling for form over hurdles of late and has a tough task from her 24lb higher chase mark.

20/1

Form: 5192P/ BF

Last run: 835 days

W: 10st 8lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Has won three times over hurdles but he's been off since September 2022 and turns 11 next week; ideally wants further as well.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

15th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 3f 219y

15:40 Clonmel

Not So Simple

11st 4lb

J: J J Slevin

T: Norman Lee

prominent

25/1

6

15th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 3f 219y

15:40 Clonmel

Not So Simple

11st 4lb

J: J J Slevin

T: Norman Lee

prominent

25/1

Form: 35-270

Last run: 20 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Runner-up after a break at Roscommon in September (3m, soft) and then seventh of 23 at Navan (2m6f); failed to fire back there 20 days ago but in a valuable handicap; this is nothing like so demanding and she'll be keeping on with stamina guaranteed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

29th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 6f 126y

16:25 Thurles

Sarah Beara

11st 12lb

J: Phillip Enright

T: S Curling

Record of 1-18 over hurdles; encouraging run at Punchestown on return from an absence before never-nearer fifth of 16 at Limerick (3m, soft to heavy); the fourth boosted the form; in the mix.

6/1

1

27th Dec 2024

Yielding To Soft

2m 4f 0y

14:36 Limerick

Sarah Beara

12st 0lb

J: Miss T Quail

T: S Curling

Runner-up after a break at Roscommon in September (3m, soft) and then seventh of 23 at Navan (2m6f); failed to fire back there 20 days ago but in a valuable handicap; this is nothing like so demanding and she'll be keeping on with stamina guaranteed.

13/2

1

27th Dec 2024

Yielding To Soft

2m 4f 0y

14:36 Limerick

Sarah Beara

12st 0lb

J: Miss T Quail

T: S Curling

Runner-up after a break at Roscommon in September (3m, soft) and then seventh of 23 at Navan (2m6f); failed to fire back there 20 days ago but in a valuable handicap; this is nothing like so demanding and she'll be keeping on with stamina guaranteed.

13/2

Form: 260-6

Last run: 31 days

W: 11st 1lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Runner-up in a maiden on this card 12 months ago; not shown much since but goes handicapping off a low mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

12

16th Apr 2026

Soft

2m 3f 60y

15:55 Limerick

Cooltubrid Eva

10st 13lb

J: Michael Kenneally

T: Diarmuid P Ryan

Went close behind a smart type here on debut in 2023 but has failed to back that up; pulled up in 21.5f course handicap 16 days ago; mark sliding but she's hard to fancy on recent showings.

50/1

12

31st Mar 2026

Soft To Heavy

2m 5f 70y

17:42 Limerick

Cooltubrid Eva

10st 10lb

J: Mike O’Connor

T: Diarmuid P Ryan

Went close here on debut but has failed to back that up; beaten over 20l the last twice in handicaps here and at Clonmel; mark sliding but she's hard to fancy on recent showings.

33/1

Form: 28-415

Last run: 78 days

W: 10st 8lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Stable debut when winning a 3m1f handicap at Cartmel (heavy) and latest defeat was her chase debut; may prefer further and deeper ground, but not dismissed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

11

3rd Mar 2025

Yielding

3m 0f 0y

14:45 Leopardstown

Doyen For A Drink

10st 10lb

J: Jake Coen

T: Gerard O’Leary

Got off the mark at Cartmel last August over this trip; had every chance when falling two out at Limerick over Christmas; needs to step up on more recent runs at Clonmel and Punchestown.

16/1

8th

12

3rd Feb 2025

Soft To Heavy

2m 7f 63y

16:10 Punchestown

Doyen For A Drink

10st 6lb

J: Aidan Kelly

T: Gerard O’Leary

Got off the mark when winning at Cartmel in August over 3m; had every chance when falling two out at Limerick over Christmas; beaten 11l at Clonmel since and needs more.

12/1

12

3rd Feb 2025

Soft To Heavy

2m 7f 63y

16:10 Punchestown

Doyen For A Drink

10st 6lb

J: Aidan Kelly

T: Gerard O’Leary

Got off the mark when winning at Cartmel in August over 3m; had every chance when falling two out at Limerick over Christmas; beaten 11l at Clonmel since and needs more.

12/1

Non-runners

Billy Lee Swagger

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €55.90
Straight Forecast €39.59
Tricast €747.39
Trifecta €454.20

Selections

RP RATINGS (IRE):

Cooltubrid Eva

The Irish Sun:

Billy Lee Swagger

TOPSPEED:

Strutter

POSTDATA:

Sarah Beara

SPOTLIGHT:

Sundial