October 03 / 16.55 Gowran Park

16.55

Yielding

Thomastown Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £5607.44
  • 2m 4f 40y
  • 9 runners
RTV
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Thomastown Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

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

OUR TIP

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

5th

2

19th Oct 2025

Good

3m 0f 0y

15:40 Limerick

Matter Of Opinion

12st 4lb

J: Ms L A Byrne

T: William Harvey

Placed in two bumpers last year; weak maiden hurdle form; pulled up on handicap debut at Gowran; cheekpieces added to usual tongue-tie.

25/1

2

3rd Oct 2025

Yielding

2m 4f 40y

16:55 Gowran Park

Matter Of Opinion

11st 9lb

J: Ben Harvey

T: William Harvey

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.

20/1

6th

10

20th Sep 2025

Yielding

2m 5f 0y

16:20 Navan

Matter Of Opinion

11st 12lb

J: Ben Harvey

T: William Harvey

Yet to build on promise shown in bumpers in two starts over hurdles; beaten 50l at Galway on latest when 40-1; others appeal more.

50/1

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

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

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

3rd

14

27th Oct 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 100y

14:22 Wexford

Rockonliam

11st 4lb

J: Mike O’Connor

T: Henry De Bromhead

Won a Killarney maiden hurdle back in May (2m4f, yielding); modest run on handicap debut at Gowran (2m4f, soft) after a break but should be sharper for that and ran well only previous start at this trip; claims.

4/1

3rd

14

27th Oct 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 100y

14:22 Wexford

Rockonliam

11st 4lb

J: Mike O’Connor

T: Henry De Bromhead

Won a Killarney maiden hurdle back in May (2m4f, yielding); modest run on handicap debut at Gowran (2m4f, soft) after a break but should be sharper for that and ran well only previous start at this trip; claims.

4/1

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

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: 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

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

9th

14

22nd Mar 2026

Heavy

2m 0f 50y

14:23 Limerick

Dream Shaper

10st 4lb

J: Paddy Cleary

T: I Madden

Unplaced in 25 starts; weakening and fell at two out at Cork last time at 66-1; unlikely.

66/1

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

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

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

Non-runners

Pauls Dream, Ilbdare, Truckers Cruising

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Rockonliam

RP RATINGS (IRE):

Killian's Garden

POSTDATA:

Live To Laugh

TOPSPEED:

Rockonliam

The Irish Sun:

Rockonliam