February 06 / 14.35 Thurles

14.35

Good

thurles.ie Maiden Hurdle

  • Prize money: £4876.03
  • 1m 7f 136y
  • 17 runners
RTV
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thurles.ie Maiden Hurdle

Runners: 17 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Sunny

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Dual winner on the Flat, untried beyond 1m1f and currently rated 56 in that sphere; not sure to appreciate this sort of test.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

(8)

28th Aug 2025

Good

1m 6f 0y

17:35 Navan

Asisaid

9st 6lb

J: Dylan Browne McMonagle

T: Aidan Melia

Losing run since July 2023 but has been giving the impression his turn may be near again in two starts for his new yard; yet to try further than 1m2f on the Flat but has shaped like it would suit at times and one to consider.

9/1

3rd

11

(17)

23rd Jul 2025

Yielding To Soft

1m 0f 0y

19:10 Naas

Asisaid

9st 5lb

J: Nicola Burns

T: Aidan Melia

Won this event two years ago; fair form towards the end of last season; out of sorts this term until showing signs of a revival when fourth at Navan on stable draw; drawn high but Nicola Burns may be able to counter any disadvantage

6/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Multiple winner in Denmark up to 1m4f in 2023 for Soren Jensen; hard to gauge on belated hurdle debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

3rd Jun 2026

Good

2m 4f 216y

Class 4

15:00 Newton Abbot

Dunkerque

12st 7lb

J: William Shanahan

T: Jennie Candlish

Completed a hat-trick when winning at Kelso (extended 2m5f) ten days ago, making it 2-2 over fences, with all victories coming on good ground (handles soft); had a hard enough race there and shoulders a penalty here, so the booking of 5lb claimer William Shanahan looks a positive and another bold showing can be expected if this run doesn't come too soon.

4/6

1st

1

24th May 2026

Good

2m 5f 133y

Class 4

16:12 Kelso

Dunkerque

12st 0lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Jennie Candlish

Comes into this in good form having won a novice hurdle over 2m4f on good ground at Newcastle in April and on chase debut at Southwell 13 days ago; still feasibly treated; contender.

9/4

1st

3

11th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 88y

Class 4

15:12 Southwell

Dunkerque

12st 0lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Jennie Candlish

Dual Flat winner in Denmark and now a dual winner over hurdles after narrowly taking a small-field novice at Newcastle last month (2m4f, good); could be on a fair mark for this chasing debut but he'll need to take to fences.

5/2

OUR TIP

Form: 6

Last run: 12 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Dual AW winner on the Flat; well held sixth in Kawaboomga's recent maiden hurdle; different ground this time; should do better at some stage.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

12

(7)

18th May 2026

Good

1m 4f 17y

19:50 Roscommon

God Of Thunder

8st 10lb

J: Reese Holohan

T: Denis Gerard Hogan

Won over hurdles and on the Flat at Limerick last year; well exposed in this discipline; money for him over C&D last week when showed a bit more than of late, beaten around 6l; up in grade here.

10/1

7th

9

(16)

11th May 2026

Good

1m 4f 46y

19:53 Roscommon

God Of Thunder

9st 9lb

J: Jared Huggan

T: Denis Gerard Hogan

Won off 8lb higher at Limerick last year (12.5f, good); yet to hit form this season and behind a few of these when last of 20 at Navan latest; revival needed.

20/1

Form: 30/36

Last run: 42 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won three on the Flat and promising hurdle bow over C&D, a piece of form that has worked out quite nicely; finished sixth in a deeper race at Leopardstown on St Stephen's Day and that's another piece of form that is working out; running okay on the Flat since and big player back in this sphere.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

3rd Jun 2026

Good

2m 5f 122y

Class 4

14:30 Newton Abbot

Polemon

11st 4lb

J: David Noonan

T: Tim Vaughan

Three-time Flat winner (1m1f-1m4f) who showed promise in maiden hurdles but his progress stalled in spring 2025, pulling up on handicap hurdle debut and finishing well beaten on his final start for Denis Hogan in May last year; brought down at the first on stable debut after an absence this April (20-1), but still sets the standard with a mark of 110.

11/2

6

24th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 16y

Class 4

17:30 Chepstow

Polemon

11st 4lb

J: Mr Edward Vaughan

T: Tim Vaughan

Three-time Flat winner who has also shown promise over hurdles; well beaten in this code last May and bought out of Denis Hogan's yard for £17,000 later that month; absent since but he's one of the likelier winners if at the top of his game on this comeback and stable debut; watch the betting.

4/1

3rd

1

15th May 2025

Good

2m 3f 137y

17:45 Clonmel

Polemon

11st 12lb

J: Daniel King

T: Denis Gerard Hogan

Three-time Flat winner on a sound surface last year; not as effective a hurdler (0-6), standout effort when second to a 10l winner in C&D maiden last month; stiff task on Flat latest; place claims back in maiden company but no easy task conceding weight.

9/2

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 5lb

5 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Dual Flat winner at Class 6 level in Britain; low-key Flat debut for this yard and up against it on hurdle debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

8th Aug 2025

Good

3m 0f 0y

18:03 Wexford

Churchill Rose

10st 9lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Arthur Goulding

Handicap debutante managed to win twice on the Flat for Charlie Fellowes but very few positives to take from three qualifying runs in maiden hurdles; well beaten on the Flat latest; others preferred.

20/1

7th

9

(5)

24th Jul 2025

Soft

1m 7f 0y

20:27 Leopardstown

Churchill Rose

8st 11lb

J: Julian Pietropaolo

T: Arthur Goulding

Won twice for Charlie Fellowes; poor recent form in maiden hurdles; this test may suit better but hard to fancy.

33/1

17

11th Jul 2025

Good

2m 0f 190y

17:45 Cork

Churchill Rose

11st 5lb

J: Peter Smithers

T: Arthur Goulding

Dual Flat winner in UK has been well beaten in two hurdle runs for this yard and best wait for handicaps.

66/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Policy Maker gelding; dam unraced half-sister to winners Hit The Headlines (bumper/2m4f hurdle) and Lastoftheleaders (bumper/2m hurdle), out of unraced half-sister to useful 2m-2m7f hurdle/chase winner Lake Teereen; this looks like a tough ask for a newcomer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

4

8th Aug 2025

Good

2m 0f 180y

16:18 Wexford

Abitlikethat

11st 4lb

J: Ricky Doyle

T: P J Rothwell

Remote ninth on debut and even remoter tenth at Fairyhouse (2m4f, yielding) at 250-1 last time; hard to see him winning.

80/1

Form: 33

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Has filled third spot in two big-field 2m maiden hurdles so far without threatening; progress required for win purposes, although quicker ground may suit.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

7

12th Apr 2026

Good

3m 2f 50y

16:37 Down Royal

Hello Jack

11st 1lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Gordon Elliott

Maiden ran well over hurdles at this track last year; has run well enough in h'cap chases at Fairyhouse and Leopardstown latest; needs to find more up in trip.

8/1

8th

4

3rd Mar 2026

Soft To Heavy

2m 5f 120y

16:55 Leopardstown

Hello Jack

11st 12lb

J: Mr J M Halford

T: Gordon Elliott

Placed in all three maiden hurdle outings; struggled in first three chase starts but better effort on handicap debut at Fairyhouse when third behind today's rival West Of Carrig (2m5f, soft); may improve now with the help of cheekpieces.

13/2

Form: 5

Last run: 9 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Tailed off fifth of 14 in a heavy ground Limerick maiden hurdle on last week's debut; quicker ground and needs a lot more this time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

25th Jul 2025

Good

3m 0f 100y

19:05 Kilbeggan

Lucky Jack

11st 4lb

J: James Smith

T: Ian Patrick Donoghue

Long odds and no impact in three maidens and similar story when beaten 72l off 89 on handicap debut at Sligo after five months off latest; steps up in trip; hard to fancy.

66/1

7

13th Jul 2025

Good

2m 3f 194y

16:10 Sligo

Lucky Jack

11st 3lb

J: Caragh Monaghan

T: Ian Patrick Donoghue

Shown very little at huge prices in three runs so far and has been off 133 days ahead of his handicap debut here; pedigree suggests return to further may suit on handicap debut and worth a market check; wears first-time cheekpieces and tongue-tie.

20/1

11th

9

2nd Mar 2025

Yielding To Soft

2m 0f 0y

13:50 Leopardstown

Lucky Jack

11st 12lb

J: James Smith

T: Ian Patrick Donoghue

Huge odds and well-beaten in first two starts over timber on heavy and soft ground; may need more time.

66/1

Abandoned

Form: 23

Last run: 16 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Heavy ground point winner who hit the crossbar at 28-1 in a Fairyhouse bumper on rules debut and ran to a similar level when third of 15 in a Down Royal maiden hurdle last month; handles this ground and while more is required, he's an each-way player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

9

21st Jan 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 1f 33y

12:40 Down Royal

Milo Miller

11st 4lb

J: Philip Byrnes

T: C Byrnes

led early, raced in second after 2nd, led again before 4 out, not fluent 3 out, headed 2 out

25/1

Abandoned

Form: 0-35

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Sent off just 4-1 for the valuable Goffs Defender bumper at last year's Punchestown festival but finished tailed off; much better when staying on in eyecatching style at Tramore but didn't manage to build on that at Fairyhouse last month and more required here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

25th May 2026

Good

2m 2f 72y

16:30 Ballinrobe

Runcok

11st 8lb

J: Alex Harvey

T: John C McConnell

Winning hurdler and chaser; rated 133 over timber; soundly beaten in chases at Galway and here when last seen last summer; has since left Willie Mullins; lacks a run and owners' retained rider JJ Slevin prefers Blizzard Of Oz.

12/1

2

25th Aug 2025

Good

2m 1f 48y

19:13 Ballinrobe

Runcok

11st 7lb

J: Paul Townend

T: W P Mullins

Rated 5lb inferior to King Of Kingsfield over hurdles; good level of form chasing but jumping remains an issue, faller when in command at Roscommon, none too fluent when making all at Tipperary and again made mistakes when well held in strong renewal of Grade 3 Galway novice dominated by stablemates last month; hood tried last time persisted with.

Evs

7th

6

31st Jul 2025

Good

2m 2f 54y

14:10 Galway

Runcok

11st 1lb

J: Danny Mullins

T: W P Mullins

Rated 141 over hurdles and similar level chasing after two attempts this summer; well clear when fell in Roscommon novice won by Itsalladream and again none too fluent at Tipperary when making all over 2m1f (yielding); 5yo a work in progress as a chaser and will have to jump better in this grade; hood tried.

7/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Where Or When gelding; dam little sign of ability in maiden hurdles, half-sister to winners Kaitlins Joy (1m-1m2f), Sofistication (7f, dam of Norwegian 7f Listed winner) and Ace A Classic (Norwegian 1m/1m4f); unlikely to be involved on debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

13

4th Aug 2025

Good

2m 2f 100y

15:30 Cork

Way Down We Go

11st 12lb

J: Patrick M O’Brien

T: Charlie Keegan

0-6 over hurdles and rated 95; hasn't shown enough to suggest he is up to winning a maiden.

33/1

11

22nd Jul 2025

Yielding

2m 1f 89y

17:12 Ballinrobe

Way Down We Go

11st 4lb

J: Charlie O’Dwyer

T: Charlie Keegan

Soundly beaten in fifth at Sligo nine days ago; held by runner-up Red Or White and this looks like a stronger contest in any case.

20/1

8

13th Jul 2025

Good

2m 1f 90y

14:25 Sligo

Way Down We Go

11st 12lb

J: Cian Cullinan

T: Charlie Keegan

His run at Ballinrobe last time (2m1f, good) when an 18.5l seventh at 200-1 is some of the best form in the field on RPRs; well beaten in starts prior to that; it's a weak race so perhaps he can be involved.

9/2

Abandoned

Form: 0/22-0 BF

Last run: 20 days

W: 10st 11lb

7 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Hit the crossbar in two summer bumpers in 2023; disappointing joint-favourite in a Cork bumper on last month's belated return; a return to quicker ground might help but has a bit to find on form on hurdle debut; hooded.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

3rd Oct 2025

Yielding

2m 0f 80y

15:46 Gowran Park

Adela Icon

10st 11lb

J: Brian Hayes

T: W P Mullins

Heavy ground maiden hurdle winner at Punchestown in February before some decent efforts in competitive contests; struck again with a supremely comfortable victory at Bellewstown in August (2m1f, good); tongue-tie now added to the previously worn hood after she weakened quickly at Listowel last time; avoids penalty and leading contender if back to her best.

10/11

5

21st Sep 2025

Yielding To Soft

2m 4f 0y

14:58 Listowel

Adela Icon

11st 0lb

J: Brian Hayes

T: W P Mullins

Twice-placed in bumpers for Harry Kelly; off the mark in a Punchestown maiden hurdle last February (2m, heavy); keen throughout at Kilbeggan in June when finishing third (2m3f, good); supremely comfortable victor at Bellewstown last time when allowed to dominate (2m1f, good); jumps left at times so this track should suit and will be dangerous if given soft lead but step back up in trip raises a question; Townend chooses Jalila Moriviere.

6/4

1

27th Aug 2025

Good

2m 1f 40y

18:55 Bellewstown

Adela Icon

11st 3lb

J: Brian Hayes

T: W P Mullins

Twice placed in bumpers for Harry Kelly; Punchestown maiden hurdle winner on heavy in February on second start for Willie Mullins; no disgrace in Naas third in April; lesser effort at Killarney before a more satisfactory display at Kilbeggan; has tended to race too keenly; should be thereabouts if settling better.

7/2

Form:

Last run: 42 days

W: 10st 11lb

5 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Point winner but was tailed off on rules bow in a Leopardstown maiden hurdle on St Stephen's Day; needs to leave that run behind.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

9

22nd May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 3f 100y

19:00 Downpatrick

Auntie Lacey

11st 5lb

J: Sean O’Keeffe

T: Paul Nolan

Point winner for Colin Bowe; maiden over hurdles; encouragement taken from chasing debut when midfield at Thurles in October (18.5f, good to yielding); dam half-sister to dual Grade 1-winning chaser Conflated; tongue-tied on return.

7/1

6th

4

30th Oct 2025

Good

2m 2f 66y

13:30 Thurles

Auntie Lacey

11st 5lb

J: Eoin Staples

T: Paul Nolan

Point winner for Colin Bowe 12 months ago; maiden over hurdles but rated 3lb higher than stablemate Quinn The Eskimo.

10/1

4

30th Oct 2025

Good

2m 2f 66y

13:30 Thurles

Auntie Lacey

11st 5lb

J: Eoin Staples

T: Paul Nolan

Point winner for Colin Bowe 12 months ago; maiden over hurdles but rated 3lb higher than stablemate Quinn The Eskimo.

10/1

Abandoned

Form:

Last run:

W: 10st 11lb

6 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Hit the crossbar off a basement mark on the Flat in 2023 but was a beaten favourite when last seen and off 465 days; tough ask on hurdle debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

23rd Oct 2025

Yielding

2m 4f 51y

15:22 Clonmel

Jazzy Rock

11st 7lb

J: Alix Balfe

T: Francis Casey

Modest Flat performer but encouraging signs in two runs in maiden hurdles, hitting the frame with a 9l third at Roscommon in August before finishing a close second at Killarney earlier this month; shaped like she would relish a step back up in trip and ought to go well.

15/2

3rd

14

5th Aug 2025

Yielding

2m 4f 59y

16:38 Roscommon

Jazzy Rock

11st 5lb

J: Alex Harvey

T: Francis Casey

Limited Flat maiden over a variety of distances and makes no appeal on hurdling debut.

100/1

5th

9

(15)

21st Jul 2025

Yielding

1m 4f 184y

20:00 Ballinrobe

Jazzy Rock

9st 4lb

J: Sam Coen

T: Francis Casey

Maiden went closest to scoring when second over 1m6f at Navan in October 2023; only beaten 9l on return after a 600 day absence at Down Royal so should build on that.

12/1

Form: 690

Last run: 10 days

W: 10st 11lb

5 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Showed ability in a mares' Naas bumper on debut in November but shown nothing in two runs since including last week's hurdle debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

14

30th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 80y

15:51 Listowel

Mollys Dolly

10st 7lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: David M O’Brien

Bounced back from two poor runs when an 8.75l fifth in a moderate Wexford maiden hurdle (2m4f, good to yielding) last time; more needed.

14/1

5th

6

16th May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 4f 0y

13:30 Wexford

Mollys Dolly

11st 7lb

J: Sean Flanagan

T: David M O’Brien

Pulled up in last two starts and a lot to find based on her mark; declared reserve in the 6.20 at Clonmel on Thursday.

25/1

Form:

Last run: 16 days

W: 10st 11lb

5 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Tailed off 125-1 shot on last month's debut and didn't jump well; hard to fancy.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12

27th May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 1f 0y

18:19 Wexford

Western Opera

10st 8lb

J: Phillip Enright

T: Kieran Callaghan

Standout run in handicaps came when second in 2m6f Ballinrobe contest last summer (good); absent since August and debuts for new yard off what appears an inadequate trip.

16/1

10

25th Aug 2025

Good

2m 6f 61y

18:13 Ballinrobe

Western Opera

10st 8lb

J: Aidan Kelly

T: Gearoid O’Loughlin

Weak form in maidens and on her first three handicap attempts; took a big step in the right direction with a second placing at this venue last month but was beaten 8 1/2l, so needs to find extra.

6/1

Abandoned

Form: 703643

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
First reserve; four-time Flat winner; 0-11 over timber but back to something like his best when placed latest; each-way claims if he gets in.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

11

(16)

11th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 111y

17:53 Roscommon

San Aer

9st 9lb

J: Leigh Roche

T: Ross O’Sullivan

Dual-purpose; four Flat wins but last of those came in 2023; not a terrible effort on latest and now 2lb below his last success but the draw gods have not been kind here.

28/1

11th

15

(19)

25th Apr 2026

Yielding To Soft

1m 0f 50y

16:25 Limerick

San Aer

9st 2lb

J: Luke McAteer

T: Ross O’Sullivan

No win since October 2023; promise on first two starts for this yard last October but two runs this season have not been good (very slowly away latest); others arrive in better form.

25/1

17th

4

(8)

19th Apr 2026

Soft

0m 7f 0y

16:45 Curragh

San Aer

9st 12lb

J: Donagh O’Connor

T: Ross O’Sullivan

Four wins on the Flat for Tom Mullins, including over C&D in 2022; finished runner-up behind subsequent Irish Lincoln winner Ribee at Galway in October (1m1f, soft to heavy); poor on return to action at Naas last month; could improve.

18/1

Non-runners

Toor Beag, Weston

Verdict

A few of these look capable of landing a maiden hurdle, perhaps none more so than POLEMON who has a bit of course form to his name having placed here in November, and he ran with credit in a warmer race at Leopardstown subsequently. The main dangers probably come from Willie Mullins’ yard in the form of Runcok and Adela Icon who have both shown ability. Point winner Milo Miller is another threat if he can progress from his hurdle bow last time out. [Phill Anderson]

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Polemon

POSTDATA:

Hello Jack

The Irish Sun:

Runcok

RP RATINGS (IRE):

Polemon