September 11 / 19.20 Clonmel

19.20

Good To Yielding

John Thomas McNamara Series (Q.R.) Handicap (Div II)

  • Prize money: £5851.24
  • 2m 0f 144y
  • 11 runners
RTV
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John Thomas McNamara Series (Q.R.) Handicap (Div II)

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

Form: 7-3342

Last run: 58 days

W: 12st 3lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Versatile sort who has finished runner-up in small-field chases on his last two starts; second to sprightly veteran Lord Erskine at Killarney in July on last Flat run; only four wins from his 49 starts in all codes, but placed 15 times.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

(9)

12th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 182y

19:40 Killarney

Dark Note

11st 7lb

J: Ms E C Costello

T: Andrew Slattery

Dual Flat winner who has a win apiece over hurdles and fences; well beaten over hurdles in March on his return from a break but ran some solid Flat races last year, including over C&D.

10/1

4th

6

2nd May 2026

Yielding

2m 0f 0y

18:35 Punchestown

Dark Note

12st 3lb

J: Ken Murphy

T: Andrew Slattery

Two-time Flat winner rated 71, won this last year, yard form a plus, should go well.

12/1

16th

3

19th Mar 2026

Yielding To Soft

2m 4f 0y

16:00 Cork

Dark Note

11st 8lb

J: Cian Quirke

T: Andrew Slattery

Dual Flat winner has a win apiece over hurdles and fences; last win was novice chase at Tipperary last July (19.5f, yielding); out of his depth in Tipperary Grade 3 before jumping issues evident in Wexford handicap chase; returns from a break back hurdling.

25/1

Form: 547518 BF

Last run: 49 days

W: 11st 12lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 66

Form & Verdict
Versatile five-time winner at an early stage of his career, best known for a Grade 2 novice hurdle win over 3m at Cheltenham; uneven form between 2022 and 2024, highlights were two good runs over 1m6f at the Curragh; made all for a wide-margin over 2m win at Tramore in July, disappointing favourite at Leopardstown later that month.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

13

25th May 2026

Good

2m 6f 100y

17:35 Ballinrobe

Make Good

10st 13lb

J: Kevin Healy

T: Cian Collins

Two wins on the Flat in 2025 but losing run over hurdles stretches back to a Grade 2 win at Cheltenham in December 2020; new yard now and has been off since October; may need this run.

33/1

9th

7

25th Oct 2025

Yielding

2m 5f 200y

16:13 Galway

Make Good

10st 10lb

J: J J Slevin

T: Joseph Anthony Murray

Veteran has had a good season on the Flat, recording 2m wins at Tramore and Clonmel; decent run back at 1m4f on latest and now reverts to hurdles for first time since January 2024 (Grade 2 Cheltenham novice winner in his day).

9/1

OUR TIP

Form: 869653

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 11lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
AW winner in Britain but lost form for George Boughey; edging closer to a first Irish success on the evidence of fifth of 16 at Galway and third placing at Killarney last time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

4th May 2026

Good

2m 1f 88y

13:35 Down Royal

Ehteyat

11st 12lb

J: Tom Kelly

T: M K Flannery

Three-time Flat winner has run well in defeat in maiden hurdles this year, including over C&D; below form in an Aintree handicap last time, but this isn't as competitive and he is one to consider.

4/1

16th

10

10th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 103y

Class 2

17:15 Aintree

Ehteyat

11st 4lb

J: Calum Hogan

T: M K Flannery

Three-time Flat winner; placed in three of four maiden hurdles at up to an extended 2m1f in Ireland this year but doesn't strike as being obviously well treated from an opening hurdle mark in the mid-120s.

33/1

3rd

3

17th Mar 2026

Yielding

2m 1f 105y

13:18 Down Royal

Ehteyat

11st 12lb

J: Conor Stone-Walsh

T: M K Flannery

Three-time Flat winner returned with blood at both nostrils when pulled up at Tramore on hurdling debut; eyecatching third at Thurles next time when rallying and keeping on well; 8l second at Leopardstown early this month; room for improvement in his jumping.

8/1

Form: 0/0-92

Last run: 49 days

W: 11st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 64

Form & Verdict
Placed over hurdles at Wexford just under two weeks ago; definite chance now on his previous second in a 1m7f handicap at Leopardstown; that race was won bu Curious Bride, ridden to win this race last year by Josh Williamson.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

2

14th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 0f 216y

18:12 Clonmel

No Big Deal

11st 11lb

J: Mark Walsh

T: Charles O’Brien

Deserved his C&D win in an amateur handicap last October after several solid displays; doubts raised by subsequent form but still merits respect in a race of this standard.

9/2

9th

2

19th Mar 2026

Yielding To Soft

2m 1f 20y

15:00 Cork

No Big Deal

12st 0lb

J: Charlie O’Dwyer

T: Charles O’Brien

Deserved win in Clonmel amateur handicap in October (yielding) off 93; solid Thurles effort off revised mark; mistake costly at Clonmel next time; remains of interest if avoiding serious error.

11/1

Form: 5-4104

Last run: 34 days

W: 11st 9lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 63

Form & Verdict
Course winner over hurdles; Flat scorer at Killarney in July; possibly best at around 1m4f; not certain to stay as effectively as some of these rivals.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

(1)

29th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

19:25 Down Royal

Tassarolo

10st 2lb

J: J M Sheridan

T: Denis Gerard Hogan

Three wins last year, two over hurdles and 1m4f Killarney Flat handicap off 59; recent Flat return was encouraging at Leopardstown although remains unproven over this extended trip.

13/2

Form: 08422- BF

Last run: 318 days

W: 11st 8lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 62

Form & Verdict
Has had a break since out of form over hurdles in the spring; frustrating overall on Flat with 0-24 record, runner-up on five occasions, including on her final two outings last season.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

10th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 5f 0y

13:55 Limerick

Cafe Con Leche

10st 10lb

J: Mr A D Bustin

T: C Byrnes

Five-time winner including two here over 2m; scored over 2m4f at Cork in November; well below that level in three starts since but could rebound now dropped into this grade.

5/1

12

17th Jan 2026

Soft To Heavy

2m 4f 40y

13:20 Navan

Cafe Con Leche

10st 12lb

J: Mr A D Bustin

T: C Byrnes

Won his fifth race over hurdles at Cork in November (2m4f, yielding); unfancied and struggled off revised mark in two runs following that; needs to return to form.

33/1

Form: 9-0050

Last run: 11 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 59

Form & Verdict
Sole win in 24 starts (including jumps_ came in a heavy-ground 1m3f maiden at Killarney in 2023; placed over hurdles before a fair fifth on the Flat at the Curragh on his penultimate start; remote tenth at Tipperary 11 days ago.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

(3)

11th Sep 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 144y

19:20 Clonmel

Dream Escape

11st 5lb

J: Mr C Mullins

T: Thomas Mullins

Sole win in 24 starts (including jumps_ came in a heavy-ground 1m3f maiden at Killarney in 2023; placed over hurdles before a fair fifth on the Flat at the Curragh on his penultimate start; remote tenth at Tipperary 11 days ago.

12/1

10th

13

(1)

31st Aug 2025

Good

1m 4f 110y

17:30 Tipperary

Dream Escape

9st 5lb

J: Chris Hayes

T: Thomas Mullins

Sole win in 23 starts came in a heavy-ground 1m3f maiden at Killarney in 2023; placed over hurdles before a fair fifth on the Flat at the Curragh last time, more needed

14/1

5th

11

(1)

23rd Aug 2025

Good

1m 4f 0y

16:37 Curragh

Dream Escape

9st 0lb

J: Chris Hayes

T: Thomas Mullins

Sole win in 22 starts came in a heavy-ground 1m3f maiden in 2023; placed in a maiden hurdle 12 days ago but that's modest form and hadn't threatened in his previous Flat handicaps before that.

20/1

Form: 05-159

Last run: 41 days

W: 11st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 58

Form & Verdict
Twice in the frame over hurdles in recent months; Flat win at Tipperary in May was over 1m4f; others appear to have stronger stamina credentials.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

23th

27

(17)

24th May 2026

Good To Yielding

1m 6f 0y

17:40 Curragh

Spanish John

8st 7lb

J: Julian Pietropaolo

T: P A Fahy

Dual-purpose sort won twice on the level last season at Tipperary and Bellewstown over an extended 1m4f on softish ground; tailed off over hurdles at Fairyhouse when last seen and 3lb wrong.

40/1

Form: 9472-7

Last run: 113 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 54

Form & Verdict
Point and hurdles winner in the spring; well beaten in a Flat handicap at Gowran in May, failing to reproduce the form of his second at Navan last October.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

2

15th May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 4f 90y

19:05 Kilbeggan

Black Soul

11st 12lb

J: Mike O’Connor

T: Conor Houlihan

Point winner whose sole win in 23 starts under rules came in a Down Royal maiden hurdle last May; not shown much this year until chase debut at Tramore last time, falling two out when still in contention (Drop A Threat fourth); should build on that.

10/1

1

20th Apr 2026

Soft

2m 5f 160y

18:42 Tramore

Black Soul

11st 12lb

J: Mike O’Connor

T: Conor Houlihan

Sole win from 22 starts came in a 2m1f maiden hurdle at Down Royal last May (good) for John and Thomas Kiely; has struggled lately over hurdles and on AW at Dundalk.

20/1

10th

9

(10)

27th Mar 2026

Standard

2m 0f 0y

18:45 Dundalk (AW)

Black Soul

9st 8lb

J: Gavin Ryan

T: Conor Houlihan

Sole win from 21 starts came in an extended 2m1f maiden hurdle at Down Royal in May (good) for John and Thomas Kiely; 0-16 on the level; makes AW debut now but others preferred.

18/1

Form: /577-8

Last run: 216 days

W: 10st 10lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 50

Form & Verdict
Won over a 2m3f hurdle on good ground at Limerick in May; Flat form is unconvincing; stamina ought not to be an issue, but up against it.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

11

14th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 116y

16:47 Clonmel

You Done Well

10st 6lb

J: Kevin A Murphy

T: Declan Queally

Second runner for yard; a record of 1-12 over hurdles; was a 12l runner-up in a Tramore claiming hurdle last time so can run well but needs to do more.

5/1

2nd

11

20th Apr 2026

Soft

2m 0f 80y

16:10 Tramore

You Done Well

10st 8lb

J: Kevin A Murphy

T: Declan Queally

Second runner for yard; won a 2m3f Limerick handicap off 100 last summer; not as good since and has a bit to find on these terms; visor added.

20/1

Form: 0098-7

Last run: 102 days

W: 10st 7lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 46

Form & Verdict
A record of only two wins from 73 races put his chance in a harsh perspective; faced an unenviable task in a Listowel conditions event in June; will be more at home in handicap company at least.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

7

(4)

31st May 2026

Good

1m 5f 80y

17:20 Listowel

Talking Tough

11st 0lb

J: Mr C G Ryan

T: S M Duffy

Modest performer and only making up the numbers here.

200/1

15th

16

(21)

27th Oct 2025

Heavy

1m 3f 180y

16:25 Galway

Talking Tough

8st 13lb

J: Alan Casey

T: S M Duffy

Won over 7f here at the 2020 festival, no further success, record now stands at 2-75; has finished last on his two most recent outings.

100/1

15th

16

(21)

27th Oct 2025

Heavy

1m 3f 180y

16:25 Galway

Talking Tough

8st 13lb

J: Alan Casey

T: S M Duffy

Won over 7f here at the 2020 festival, no further success, record now stands at 2-75; has finished last on his two most recent outings.

100/1

Non-runners

Migdam

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €65.90
Straight Forecast €38.39
Tricast €798.53
Trifecta €1015.40

Selections

POSTDATA:

Migdam

SPOTLIGHT:

No Big Deal

RP RATINGS (IRE):

Talking Tough

The Irish Sun:

Migdam