Thomastown Handicap Hurdle

1

Killians Garden

J: Eoghan Finegan

T: Ciaran Murphy

7/1

Form: 4-5216

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 110

Form & Verdict

Won a maiden hurdle at Kilbeggan in August (2m3f, gd-yld); respectable run on handicap debut at Galway (16.5f, good), doing best work at the finish; this trip more suitable but may not appreciate the forecast rain.

Place / No / Draw	Date / Going / Distance / Class	Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer	Verdict	Starting price
1	3rd Oct 2025 Yielding 2m 4f 40y	16:55 Gowran Park Killians Garden 11st 12lb J: Eoghan Finegan T: Ciaran Murphy	Won a maiden hurdle at Kilbeggan in August (2m3f, gd-yld); respectable run on handicap debut at Galway (16.5f, good), doing best work at the finish; this trip more suitable but may not appreciate the forecast rain.	7/1
1	8th Sep 2025 Yielding To Soft 2m 0f 160y	16:20 Galway Killians Garden 11st 12lb J: E Walsh T: Ciaran Murphy	Built on an improved display at Ballinrobe when winning a 2m3f maiden at Kilbeggan a month ago; opening mark appears stiff, but further progress is quite feasible.	7/1

Place /
No / Draw

Date / Going /
Distance / Class

Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer

Verdict

Starting price

1

3rd Oct 2025

Yielding

2m 4f 40y

11st 12lb

Won a maiden hurdle at Kilbeggan in August (2m3f, gd-yld); respectable run on handicap debut at Galway (16.5f, good), doing best work at the finish; this trip more suitable but may not appreciate the forecast rain.

7/1

1

8th Sep 2025

Yielding To Soft

2m 0f 160y

11st 12lb

Built on an improved display at Ballinrobe when winning a 2m3f maiden at Kilbeggan a month ago; opening mark appears stiff, but further progress is quite feasible.

7/1

OUR TIP

2

Matter Of Opinion

J: Ben Harvey

T: William Harvey

20/1

Form: 580-96

Last run: 13 days

W: 11st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 107

Form & Verdict

Best effort in maidens his last one, a 13l sixth of 14 at Navan (2m5f, yielding); opening mark of 107 could be workable on that evidence (split 113 and 110 rated rivals); not discounted on handicap bow.

Place / No / Draw	Date / Going / Distance / Class	Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer	Verdict	Starting price
11th 8	28th Aug 2026 Good To Firm 3m 0f 0y	19:22 Down Royal Matter Of Opinion 11st 6lb J: Ms L A Byrne T: William Harvey	McManus-bred maiden has yet to place in 10 hurdle runs, but money for her last twice when shaping a little better at Wexford.	20/1
5th 4	7th Aug 2026 Good 3m 0f 0y	18:26 Wexford Matter Of Opinion 11st 8lb J: Ms L A Byrne T: William Harvey	One of his better efforts came over 2m4f (good) here two weeks ago when a 10l seventh of 14; back up in trip now and down 2lb.	14/1
7th 10	23rd Jul 2026 Good 2m 4f 0y	17:10 Wexford Matter Of Opinion 11st 0lb J: Ms L A Byrne T: William Harvey	Showed a bit more when seventh in handicap (2m4f, hvy) at Fairyhouse but failed to progress upped to 3m2f next time; dropped another 3lb; bumper form on better ground gives hope conditions can bring improvement down in trip.	18/1

Place /
No / Draw

Date / Going /
Distance / Class

Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer

Verdict

Starting price

11th

8

28th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

3m 0f 0y

11st 6lb

McManus-bred maiden has yet to place in 10 hurdle runs, but money for her last twice when shaping a little better at Wexford.

20/1

5th

4

7th Aug 2026

Good

3m 0f 0y

11st 8lb

One of his better efforts came over 2m4f (good) here two weeks ago when a 10l seventh of 14; back up in trip now and down 2lb.

14/1

7th

10

23rd Jul 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

11st 0lb

Showed a bit more when seventh in handicap (2m4f, hvy) at Fairyhouse but failed to progress upped to 3m2f next time; dropped another 3lb; bumper form on better ground gives hope conditions can bring improvement down in trip.

18/1

3

Darcys Friend

J: Donagh Meyler

T: Emmet Mullins

10/1

Form: 9/P1-5 BF

Last run: 92 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict

Left form for previous yard behind when landing a touch on debut for this yard at Leopardstown (2m, yielding) in March; hiked up 17lb and came up short off his revised mark at Tipperary (2m, gd-yld); must improve for this longer trip.

Place / No / Draw	Date / Going / Distance / Class	Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer	Verdict	Starting price
5	14th Jan 2026 Yielding 2m 5f 150y	15:25 Fairyhouse Darcys Friend 11st 11lb J: Donagh Meyler T: Emmet Mullins	Progressive over hurdles last year, and form went to a new level when a well-backed runner-up on chase debut at Killarney (2m7f, yielding) in October, where he might have won but for a mistake; too keen and didn't get home at Cheltenham later that month; didn't jump so fluently back over hurdles at Cork and was already in trouble when hampered at two out; needs to bounce back.	8/1
6th 10	25th Oct 2025 Good To Soft 2m 4f 44y Class 3	13:10 Cheltenham Darcys Friend 10st 10lb J: Donagh Meyler T: Emmet Mullins	Progressive over hurdles this year (2m-2m4f) and form went to new level when runner-up on recent chase debut at Killarney (2m7f, yielding), where he might have won but for a bad mistake two out; the handicapper has reacted but this 6yo could have a big shout for his respected Irish trainer.	7/1
3	3rd Oct 2025 Yielding 2m 4f 40y	16:55 Gowran Park Darcys Friend 11st 7lb J: Donagh Meyler T: Emmet Mullins	Left form for previous yard behind when landing a touch on debut for this yard at Leopardstown (2m, yielding) in March; hiked up 17lb and came up short off his revised mark at Tipperary (2m, gd-yld); must improve for this longer trip.	10/1

Place /
No / Draw

Date / Going /
Distance / Class

Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer

Verdict

Starting price

5

14th Jan 2026

Yielding

2m 5f 150y

11st 11lb

Progressive over hurdles last year, and form went to a new level when a well-backed runner-up on chase debut at Killarney (2m7f, yielding) in October, where he might have won but for a mistake; too keen and didn't get home at Cheltenham later that month; didn't jump so fluently back over hurdles at Cork and was already in trouble when hampered at two out; needs to bounce back.

8/1

6th

10

25th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 44y

Class 3

10st 10lb

Progressive over hurdles this year (2m-2m4f) and form went to new level when runner-up on recent chase debut at Killarney (2m7f, yielding), where he might have won but for a bad mistake two out; the handicapper has reacted but this 6yo could have a big shout for his respected Irish trainer.

7/1

3

3rd Oct 2025

Yielding

2m 4f 40y

11st 7lb

Left form for previous yard behind when landing a touch on debut for this yard at Leopardstown (2m, yielding) in March; hiked up 17lb and came up short off his revised mark at Tipperary (2m, gd-yld); must improve for this longer trip.

10/1

5

Rockonliam

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Henry De Bromhead

5/2

Form: 63-1 D

Last run: 144 days

W: 11st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 103

Form & Verdict

Off the mark at the third attempt in maidens at Killarney in May (2m4f, yielding); the 0.75l runner up was only rated 93 but the third and fourth have since franked the form and are now rated 121 and 120; could go well off opening mark of 103 if ready after a break.

Place / No / Draw	Date / Going / Distance / Class	Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer	Verdict	Starting price
1st 2	8th Aug 2026 Good 3m 1f 0y	16:35 Wexford Rockonliam 11st 8lb J: Darragh O’Keeffe T: Henry De Bromhead	Arrives in terrific form, winning over hurdles at Listowel in late May and then scoring in a beginners' over 19.5f (good) here on his chase debut; he's a brother of Scottish National winner Captain Cody so should stay this far and his opening mark looks workable; should go well on handicap chase debut.	15/8
1st 10	30th Jun 2026 Good 2m 3f 110y	16:50 Wexford Rockonliam 11st 12lb J: Darragh O’Keeffe T: Henry De Bromhead	Hurdles mark now 109 after Listowel handicap win over a furlong farther (good to yielding), his first start for five months; they were mulling over staying over flights a bit longer, so interesting that the brother to Scottish National winner Captain Cody is now deemed ready for chasing; ran well in sole 4yo point.	9/4
1st 13	30th May 2026 Good 2m 4f 80y	16:26 Listowel Rockonliam 10st 10lb J: Darragh O’Keeffe T: Henry De Bromhead	Killarney maiden hurdle winner (2m4f, yielding) last season, beating Big Dispute by 0.75l; cruised easily to the lead before emptying late on at Leopardstown (2m5f, good to yielding) when last seen over Christmas; that performance suggests a win off this mark is within reach but may improve for this return.	13/2

Place /
No / Draw

Date / Going /
Distance / Class

Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer

Verdict

Starting price

1st

2

8th Aug 2026

Good

3m 1f 0y

11st 8lb

Arrives in terrific form, winning over hurdles at Listowel in late May and then scoring in a beginners' over 19.5f (good) here on his chase debut; he's a brother of Scottish National winner Captain Cody so should stay this far and his opening mark looks workable; should go well on handicap chase debut.

15/8

1st

10

30th Jun 2026

Good

2m 3f 110y

11st 12lb

Hurdles mark now 109 after Listowel handicap win over a furlong farther (good to yielding), his first start for five months; they were mulling over staying over flights a bit longer, so interesting that the brother to Scottish National winner Captain Cody is now deemed ready for chasing; ran well in sole 4yo point.

9/4

1st

13

30th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 80y

10st 10lb

Killarney maiden hurdle winner (2m4f, yielding) last season, beating Big Dispute by 0.75l; cruised easily to the lead before emptying late on at Leopardstown (2m5f, good to yielding) when last seen over Christmas; that performance suggests a win off this mark is within reach but may improve for this return.

13/2

6

You Done Well

J: Paddy Cody

T: Kieran Purcell

25/1

Form: 4-0178 D

Last run: 58 days

W: 11st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 104

Form & Verdict

Won off 4lb lower at Limerick (2m3f, good) in May; soundly beaten in two hurdles since and beat just one rival home on soft on the Flat on latest at Clonmel; tongue tie and cheekpieces now tried.

Place / No / Draw	Date / Going / Distance / Class	Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer	Verdict	Starting price
7	24th Jul 2026 Good 2m 2f 200y	18:46 Kilbeggan You Done Well 10st 11lb J: Alan O’Sullivan T: Michael J Browne	Won at Limerick (2m3f, good) off 5lb higher last year; consistent sort has finished third in both runs for new yard; this is a higher grade compared to those outings but he's shortlisted.	100/30
3rd 5	3rd Jul 2026 Good 2m 1f 55y	17:20 Wexford You Done Well 11st 9lb J: Alan O’Sullivan T: Michael J Browne	Sole hurdles win came in 2m3f Limerick handicap last May on good; claimed out of Declan Queally's yard at Clonmel in May (4,000euros) and solid start for new connections when staying-on third in 2m4f Clonmel handicap last month; one to consider.	13/2
3rd 5	5th Jun 2026 Good 2m 0f 113y	18:10 Clonmel You Done Well 11st 8lb J: Alan O’Sullivan T: Michael J Browne	Is 1-13 over hurdles with the win coming at Limerick last year off 6lb higher (2m3f, good); some decent runs in defeat in claiming hurdles here and at Tramore, when a 12l runner-up (2m1f, good to yielding); makes stable debut.	7/1

Place /
No / Draw

Date / Going /
Distance / Class

Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer

Verdict

Starting price

7

24th Jul 2026

Good

2m 2f 200y

10st 11lb

Won at Limerick (2m3f, good) off 5lb higher last year; consistent sort has finished third in both runs for new yard; this is a higher grade compared to those outings but he's shortlisted.

100/30

3rd

5

3rd Jul 2026

Good

2m 1f 55y

11st 9lb

Sole hurdles win came in 2m3f Limerick handicap last May on good; claimed out of Declan Queally's yard at Clonmel in May (4,000euros) and solid start for new connections when staying-on third in 2m4f Clonmel handicap last month; one to consider.

13/2

3rd

5

5th Jun 2026

Good

2m 0f 113y

11st 8lb

Is 1-13 over hurdles with the win coming at Limerick last year off 6lb higher (2m3f, good); some decent runs in defeat in claiming hurdles here and at Tramore, when a 12l runner-up (2m1f, good to yielding); makes stable debut.

7/1

9

Live To Laugh

J: Sam Ewing

T: Peter Fahey

5/1

Form: 07-742

Last run: 4 days

W: 10st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict

Has improved last two starts in handicaps, a 4.5l fourth at Down Royal (3m, gd-fm) followed by a 4.75l second at Roscommon (2m4f, good); same mark now and should go well again, though soft would be an unknown.

Place / No / Draw	Date / Going / Distance / Class	Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer	Verdict	Starting price
4	24th Apr 2026 Good To Yielding 3m 0f 154y	18:28 Kilbeggan Live To Laugh 11st 8lb J: Ethan O’Sullivan T: Peter Fahey	In great form at the moment over fences; followed up a wide-margin Thurles success (2m6f, soft) when beating Plain Or Battered by 2l at Clonmel next time (3m, soft); runs off 18lb lower hurdles mark; big player.	5/1
1st 4	26th Mar 2026 Soft 2m 7f 122y	15:42 Clonmel Live To Laugh 11st 7lb J: Ethan O’Sullivan T: Peter Fahey	Fair form over hurdles without winning; won by a big margin at Thurles three weeks ago on his third start over fences; a 10lb rise may prove too much but could challenge for a share of the money.	9/2
1st 11	5th Mar 2026 Soft To Heavy 2m 5f 110y	14:58 Thurles Live To Laugh 10st 10lb J: Ethan O’Sullivan T: Peter Fahey	Consistent, placing in five of his last seven starts; third on chasing debut at Cork (2m4f, yielding to soft); hampered and fell at the first in race won by Toor Khov; good run over hurdles at a big price at Punchestown since then.	7/1

Place /
No / Draw

Date / Going /
Distance / Class

Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer

Verdict

Starting price

4

24th Apr 2026

Good To Yielding

3m 0f 154y

11st 8lb

In great form at the moment over fences; followed up a wide-margin Thurles success (2m6f, soft) when beating Plain Or Battered by 2l at Clonmel next time (3m, soft); runs off 18lb lower hurdles mark; big player.

5/1

1st

4

26th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 7f 122y

11st 7lb

Fair form over hurdles without winning; won by a big margin at Thurles three weeks ago on his third start over fences; a 10lb rise may prove too much but could challenge for a share of the money.

9/2

1st

11

5th Mar 2026

Soft To Heavy

2m 5f 110y

10st 10lb

Consistent, placing in five of his last seven starts; third on chasing debut at Cork (2m4f, yielding to soft); hampered and fell at the first in race won by Toor Khov; good run over hurdles at a big price at Punchestown since then.

7/1

10

Dream Shaper

J: Daniel King

T: I Madden

28/1

Form: 7-6870

Last run: 25 days

W: 10st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 91

Form & Verdict

Longstanding maiden extended record over hurdles to 0-12 at Galway last month; yet to finish in the first three; not easy to make a case for.

Place / No / Draw	Date / Going / Distance / Class	Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer	Verdict	Starting price
11	19th Aug 2026 Good 2m 4f 148y	19:18 Sligo Dream Shaper 10st 3lb J: Joshua Halford T: I Madden	Off the mark at 28th attempt when landing 2m3f Kilbeggan handicap last month, allowed to slip the field and win unchallenged; no such leeway at Galway since, weakening between final two flights; third over C&D last month, so trip of no concern.	9/1
8th 18	2nd Aug 2026 Good To Yielding 2m 0f 160y	13:50 Galway Dream Shaper 10st 0lb J: Brian Barry T: I Madden	Off the mark at 28th attempt when landing 2m3f Kilbeggan handicap last month, allowed to slip the field and win unchallenged; 9lb rise okay on the face of it, but not sure if he'll back that up and 3lb out of handicap here.	8/1
1st 13	24th Jul 2026 Good 2m 2f 200y	17:40 Kilbeggan Dream Shaper 10st 10lb J: Paddy Cleary T: I Madden	0-27 and his run at Sligo last time was the first time he has ever placed when taking a 3l third (2m5f, good); 1lb rise seems a bit harsh; needs more.	8/1

Place /
No / Draw

Date / Going /
Distance / Class

Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer

Verdict

Starting price

11

19th Aug 2026

Good

2m 4f 148y

10st 3lb

Off the mark at 28th attempt when landing 2m3f Kilbeggan handicap last month, allowed to slip the field and win unchallenged; no such leeway at Galway since, weakening between final two flights; third over C&D last month, so trip of no concern.

9/1

8th

18

2nd Aug 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 160y

10st 0lb

Off the mark at 28th attempt when landing 2m3f Kilbeggan handicap last month, allowed to slip the field and win unchallenged; 9lb rise okay on the face of it, but not sure if he'll back that up and 3lb out of handicap here.

8/1

1st

13

24th Jul 2026

Good

2m 2f 200y

10st 10lb

0-27 and his run at Sligo last time was the first time he has ever placed when taking a 3l third (2m5f, good); 1lb rise seems a bit harsh; needs more.

8/1

11

Minority Interest

J: Simon Torrens

T: P J Rothwell

12/1

Form: 072-04

Last run: 42 days

W: 10st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 86

Form & Verdict

Best two efforts have come at Kilbeggan over 2m3f on good ground, including a 6.25l fourth on latest; ran poorly sole start on soft, though that may have been needed after a break; needs more.

Place / No / Draw	Date / Going / Distance / Class	Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer	Verdict	Starting price
12th 14	10th May 2026 Good 2m 3f 50y	15:15 Cork Minority Interest 10st 12lb J: Tiernan Power Roche T: P J Rothwell	Win came at Gowran (2m4f, soft) in October off 86; safely held next two starts, but fair run here over an inadequate 2m last time when 4.75l fifth of 13, best work late on; merits consideration back up in trip.	10/1

Place /
No / Draw

Date / Going /
Distance / Class

Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer

Verdict

Starting price

12th

14

10th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 50y

15:15 Cork

Minority Interest

10st 12lb

J: Tiernan Power Roche

T: P J Rothwell

Win came at Gowran (2m4f, soft) in October off 86; safely held next two starts, but fair run here over an inadequate 2m last time when 4.75l fifth of 13, best work late on; merits consideration back up in trip.

10/1

12

Spread The Faith

J: Phillip Enright

T: Oliver McKiernan

40/1

Form: 96690-

Last run: 162 days

W: 10st 2lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 86

Form & Verdict

Ordinary form in maidens and no signs of progress in first two starts in handicaps; lacks a recent run and may need more time.

Place / No / Draw	Date / Going / Distance / Class	Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer	Verdict	Starting price
11th 12	10th Aug 2026 Good 2m 0f 109y	18:57 Ballinrobe Spread The Faith 10st 10lb J: Phillip Enright T: Oliver McKiernan	Badly out of form over hurdles before a satisfactory chase debut at Limerick in May; others are more appealing.	14/1
4th 12	21st May 2026 Good To Yielding 2m 1f 157y	16:43 Limerick Spread The Faith 10st 9lb J: Phillip Enright T: Oliver McKiernan	Maiden was pulled up in her last three hurdles outings; needs to leave all known form well behind on chase debut.	40/1
9	18th Apr 2026 Yielding 2m 1f 30y	16:25 Bellewstown Spread The Faith 11st 1lb J: Phillip Enright T: Oliver McKiernan	Maiden was twice pulled-up last October; yard is in better form now, though so could improve on those showings.	16/1

Place /
No / Draw

Date / Going /
Distance / Class

Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer

Verdict

Starting price

11th

12

10th Aug 2026

Good

2m 0f 109y

18:57 Ballinrobe

Spread The Faith