February 06 / 14.35 Thurles

14.35

Good

thurles.ie Maiden Hurdle

  • Prize money: £4876.03
  • 1m 7f 136y
  • 17 runners
RTV
View Course
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

1st

1

20th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

2m 6f 125y

Class 3

19:06 Stratford

Dunkerque

11st 10lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Jennie Candlish

Won his first three races over fences (2m4f to an extended 2m5f) and, in first-time cheekpieces, ran well enough at Cartmel (2m1f; Krak 15l behind) to believe he's still on a workable mark; hard to knock.

11/10

2nd

1

20th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

2m 1f 61y

Class 3

16:12 Cartmel

Dunkerque

11st 10lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Jennie Candlish

Won novice hurdle in April and is 3-3 over fences since, the latest win gained in three-runner contest at Newton Abbot (2m5f, good) last month; may still have more improvement to come if aided by first-time cheekpieces but contests a stronger race here and the drop back in trip is not sure to suit.

13/8

1st

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

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

16th

13

(18)

23rd Aug 2026

Good

1m 3f 0y

17:00 Naas

God Of Thunder

9st 2lb

J: Jared Huggan

T: Denis Gerard Hogan

Won over hurdles and on the Flat (12.5f) at Limerick last year; ran well over timber at Sligo on his penultimate start in a claimer but heavy defeat back on the Flat at Tramore (2m) on latest; well handicapped but needs to rebound back in trip.

22/1

7th

1

(7)

15th Aug 2026

Yielding

2m 0f 0y

19:55 Tramore

God Of Thunder

10st 4lb

J: Daniel King

T: Denis Gerard Hogan

Was in better form last year when winning at Limerick over hurdles and on the Flat (1m5f, good, rated 73); largely struggled in both codes since, although ran to his mark at Killarney last month when sixth (1m4f, good); took second in a Sligo claiming hurdle last time when well treated; others make more appeal.

7/1

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

7th

3

(4)

6th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 4f 0y

Class 5

17:20 Chepstow

Polemon

9st 13lb

J: William Carver

T: Tim Vaughan

Three-time Flat winner (1m1f-1m4f) in Ireland and was also placed over jumps; however, brought down early and pulled up in two maiden hurdles for current yard and a visor replaces usual cheekpieces.

14/1

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

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

2nd

3

24th Aug 2026

Good

2m 1f 55y

19:00 Ballinrobe

Runcok

11st 7lb

J: J J Slevin

T: John C McConnell

Winner over hurdles and fences in these colours when with Willie Mullins; poor last of four in last year's renewal; yet to convince with his jumping (can go left), and again made a couple of errors when beaten 20l in Galway handicap on second start for yard.

5/1

6th

3

2nd Aug 2026

Good

2m 2f 54y

15:30 Galway

Runcok

10st 9lb

J: J J Slevin

T: John C McConnell

Winner over hurdles and fences in these colours when with Willie Mullins; last three runs have been poor, including stable debut hurdling; hood back on but yet to convince with his jumping (can go left); handicap debut.

20/1

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

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

8th

9

28th Aug 2026

Good

2m 3f 100y

19:07 Wexford

Auntie Lacey

10st 11lb

J: Richard Deegan

T: Paul Nolan

Point-to-point winner showed a hint of ability over hurdles and similar level of form in three chases, latest when 17l off Chosen Shant in 2m handicap here in June; cheekpieces now added and step up in trip should suit.

12/1

4th

6

30th Jun 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

15:20 Wexford

Auntie Lacey

11st 6lb

J: Alan O’Sullivan

T: Paul Nolan

Point winner showed a hint of ability over hurdles; has run well enough on both chase starts; of some interest on handicap debut down in trip.

7/1

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

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

13th

17

2nd Jul 2026

Good

2m 6f 120y

18:58 Limerick

Mollys Dolly

10st 5lb

J: Conor Stone-Walsh

T: David M O’Brien

Winless from 11 starts (eight over hurdles); okay fifth of 12 in a moderate Wexford maiden hurdle (2m4f, good to yielding) in May; 19.5l behind at Listowel in May (2m5f, good to yielding).

15/1

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

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

6th

15

24th Jul 2026

Good

2m 2f 200y

18:11 Kilbeggan

Western Opera

10st 6lb

J: Conor Stone-Walsh

T: Kieran Callaghan

0-11; pulled up on stable debut at Wexford in May but ran one of her best races at Clonmel last month (2m1f, good) when a 4l fifth; hampered on two separate occasions when fourth over further at Limerick last time (2m7f, good); this trip is on the short side for her, but she appears to have found some form.

10/1

4th

11

2nd Jul 2026

Good

2m 6f 120y

19:33 Limerick

Western Opera

10st 7lb

J: Sean O’Keeffe

T: Kieran Callaghan

0-10 and was pulled up at Wexford on stable debut in May (2m1f, good to yielding); ran one of her best races at Clonmel over an inadequate extended 2m trip (good) when a 4l fifth, keeping on; this return to further should suit and she has her chance if she can find some consistency.

10/1

5th

14

5th Jun 2026

Good

2m 0f 113y

18:10 Clonmel

Western Opera

10st 7lb

J: Mike O’Connor

T: Kieran Callaghan

Standout run in handicaps came when second in a 2m6f Ballinrobe contest last summer (good); pulled up at Wexford on return from an absence; this trip looks inadequate.

33/1

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

5th

3

(6)

1st Aug 2026

Yielding To Soft

0m 7f 0y

17:35 Galway

San Aer

10st 0lb

J: W J Lee

T: Ross O’Sullivan

Goes well at this venue and was only reeled in close to home over 8.5f here on Tuesday; runs off the same mark now and nicely drawn so can't discount dropped back in trip; obvious chance.

100/30

2nd

5

(6)

28th Jul 2026

Good To Yielding

1m 0f 123y

20:15 Galway

San Aer

10st 0lb

J: Donagh O’Connor

T: Ross O’Sullivan

Two-time C&D winner on heavy off higher marks; went close again over C&D in October, again on heavy; caught the eye when short of room and not beaten far at Killarney on latest (1m, good); softer conditions would be preferable but he's got plenty of decent form on this sort of ground and his yard targets this meeting; chance.

12/1

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