January 17 / 15.00 Navan

15.00

Soft To Heavy

Gormanlough Handicap Chase

  • Prize money: £5130.43
  • 3m 0f 0y
  • 12 runners
RTV
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Gormanlough Handicap Chase

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly sunny

11/2 (Won)

  • Win: £2.75
  • Place: £1.10

Form: 886-95 BF

Last run: 9 days

W: 11st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Unseated on his sole point start; just minor promise in his maiden hurdles; returned from a 326-day break at Limerick last month when a never-threatening ninth (2m5f, soft to heavy) in a handicap hurdle; sent off joint favourite for a similar contest to this one over hurdles at Clonmel (2m4f, heavy) nine days ago where he was outpaced before staying on for a 9.75l fifth; this trip can help on chasing debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

7

26th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 7f 122y

15:42 Clonmel

Brown Boots

10st 10lb

J: Richard Deegan

T: Liam P Cusack

Made instant impact over fences at Navan off 84 (3m, soft to heavy) and ran off the same mark back over hurdles when following up with a 10l at this venue (3m, heavy); not beaten far in third under a fixed penalty at Naas; obvious chance of his marginally low chase mark.

100/30

3rd

5

4th Mar 2026

Heavy

2m 7f 180y

17:22 Naas

Brown Boots

11st 5lb

J: Brian Hayes

T: Liam P Cusack

Made the breakthrough over fences at Navan off 84 (3m, soft to heavy) and ran off the same mark back over hurdles when following up at Clonmel last time by 10l (3m, heavy); carries a 7lb penalty now but most likely winner as long as this doesn't come too soon after a slog in the mud 6 days ago.

2/1

1st

14

26th Feb 2026

Heavy

3m 0f 0y

15:44 Clonmel

Brown Boots

10st 12lb

J: Brian Hayes

T: Liam P Cusack

Hurdles form is undeniably weak, and he failed to run to meet expectations as joint-favourite when fifth in a 2m4f handicap at this venue last month; however, he bolted up when tackling this trip on his chase debut at Navan nine day later; will be hard to beat if that improvement is sustained.

15/8

5/1

  • Place: £2.50

Form: 0-P525

Last run: 6 days

W: 10st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Best run from nine starts under rules came at Naas on his penultimate run when a front-running 3l runner-up (2m, heavy); didn't build on that at Punchestown last time when 30l behind after leading and making a couple of mistakes; point-to-point runner-up tries this trip for the first time under Rules; Slevin has a 13% strike rate riding for this trainer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

18

12th Apr 2026

Good

3m 0f 0y

15:35 Down Royal

Duce Bigalow

10st 7lb

J: G B Noonan

T: Colm Ryan

Consistent over fences recently; finished second at Naas in December (2m, heavy) and bounced back from a below par run with two runner-up finishes in his last two starts at Navan (3m, soft to heavy) and Fairyhouse (3m, heavy); makes stable debut back over hurdles off a 9lb lower mark, but may not be as effective over timber and ground also a question.

11/2

2nd

14

21st Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 7f 165y

16:20 Fairyhouse

Duce Bigalow

10st 0lb

J: Michael Kenneally

T: Seamus Neville

Point-to-point runner-up posted a nice performance when upped to 3m for the first time at Navan last time (3m, soft to heavy); beaten 6l that day but was well clear of the third; good claimer takes off 5lb; big player.

9/2

10/1

  • Place: £1.80

Form: P40-39 D

Last run: 51 days

W: 11st 2lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Soft ground hurdles winner at Wexford in May 2024 off 88; made an encouraging start to the season when third at Punchestown (3m, heavy); below his best at Thurles last time (2m6f, good to yielding); not ruled out back on softer ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

16th May 2026

Good To Yielding

3m 1f 100y

16:55 Wexford

Plain Or Battered

10st 1lb

J: Tiernan Power Roche

T: P J Rothwell

Course hurdle winner has been running well in defeat over hurdles and fences lately; could have a bit more to offer on his eighth chase run; a player.

6/1

2nd

11

24th Apr 2026

Good To Yielding

3m 0f 154y

18:28 Kilbeggan

Plain Or Battered

11st 4lb

J: Tiernan Power Roche

T: P J Rothwell

In good form under both codes recently; 3lb outside the weights at Leopardstown but took the third spot (3m, soft); backed that up when runner-up in a Clonmel novice handicap chase last month (3m, soft); withdrawn due to unsuitable good ground at Down Royal last time, so conditions a question.

13/1

Form: 147755 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 8lb

12 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Dual winning hurdler, with his latest win coming at Punchestown in June off 92 (3m, good to yielding); well supported in market on return to chasing at Limerick three weeks ago but made little impression in fifth (2m6f, soft to heavy); down 3lb now but potentially prefers better ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

16

13th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 0y

19:20 Punchestown

Smackwater Jack

10st 13lb

J: Ricky Doyle

T: Mrs Denise Foster

Added a second hurdling success over this C&D in June last year off 92 (good to yielding); reverts to hurdles now following several underwhelming runs over fences; time is ticking on but can't be dismissed.

16/1

12th

8

2nd May 2026

Yielding

2m 0f 0y

18:35 Punchestown

Smackwater Jack

12st 3lb

J: Cormac McEvoy

T: Mrs Denise Foster

Dual-hurdles winner, rated 85 in that sphere, out of form this season, unlikely.

50/1

10th

12

12th Mar 2026

Soft To Heavy

2m 6f 170y

16:14 Limerick

Smackwater Jack

10st 13lb

J: Josh Williamson

T: Mrs Denise Foster

Dual winning hurdler with his latest win coming at Punchestown in June off 92 (3m, good to yielding); 0-7 chasing however, well beaten in testing conditions at Fairyhouse last month; reduced mark but still others preferred on this ground.

14/1

Form: 514/P- C

Last run: 272 days

W: 11st 10lb

10 yo Mare

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Added her second hurdles win over 2m4f here in January 2024 (soft to heavy); returned from 434 days off at Fairyhouse in April when pulled up; can only be watched for now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

9

11th May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 4f 100y

19:07 Killarney

Butty O Brien

10st 11lb

J: E Walsh

T: Patrick Magee

Dual hurdle winner; in first-time cheekpieces when winning comfortably from the front at Wexford (2m3f, yielding) and coped with sort of mark over hurdles; respected.

15/2

1st

8

10th Apr 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 3f 100y

19:08 Wexford

Butty O Brien

11st 2lb

J: E Walsh

T: Patrick Magee

Dual hurdle winner; 0-5 chasing but mild encouragement last month over C&D when modest enough third to Connemara Shore (soft); much more needed and cheekpieces tried.

10/1

3rd

10

17th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 3f 100y

16:32 Wexford

Butty O Brien

11st 5lb

J: E Walsh

T: Patrick Magee

Dual hurdle winner; only had the four goes over fences and will need to step up on her 19l defeat last time (2m4f).

14/1

Form: 27P-06 D

Last run: 46 days

W: 11st 3lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Sole win came over fences at Limerick in 2023 off 88 (3m, soft) but has been placed a couple of times since; there was promise in his 7.5l sixth at Clonmel on stable debut last month in a first-time tongue-tie (2m3f, heavy); may come on for that run although he started at 4-1.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

18th

15

10th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 80y

17:00 Cork

Made In The Woods

10st 6lb

J: G B Noonan

T: Norman Lee

Won a chase at Limerick in 2023 but 0-13 over hurdles and yet to trouble the judge; cheekpieces go on after a moderate run over fences at Clonmel on latest; 4lb lower in this sphere but others appeal more.

14/1

Form: 32/PR6

Last run: 16 days

W: 10st 4lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
No wins from 33 attempts (18 over fences) and getting on in years now; dispiriting form in three runs since returned from a 569-day break; pulled up at Punchestown in November, before refused to race at Tramore later that month; more encouraging at Tramore last time, but 20l behind the winner all the same; best watched.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

14

17th Jan 2026

Soft To Heavy

3m 0f 0y

15:00 Navan

Fox Le Bel

10st 4lb

J: Simon Torrens

T: Liz Doyle

No wins from 33 attempts (18 over fences) and getting on in years now; dispiriting form in three runs since returned from a 569-day break; pulled up at Punchestown in November, before refused to race at Tramore later that month; more encouraging at Tramore last time, but 20l behind the winner all the same; best watched.

11/1

Form: -000P4

Last run: 57 days

W: 10st 6lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
17-race maiden and yet to trouble the judge in six chase starts; form last year left a lot to be desired, although her 20l fourth at Fairyhouse last time gives slight encouragement; hard to fancy.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

18

13th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

18:20 Punchestown

Spanish Maid

10st 7lb

J: Michael Kenneally

T: Ross O’Sullivan

Placed twice over hurdles two seasons ago; moderate form over fences until much improved when second at Wexford in March on her stable debut; was well backed then, and recovered losses when even-money favourite at Tramor last month; excellent chance off a similarly low hurdles mark; stable in form.

7/4

1st

9

19th Apr 2026

Soft

1m 7f 110y

17:30 Tramore

Spanish Maid

10st 3lb

J: Michael Kenneally

T: Ross O’Sullivan

Produced her best handicap run to date on stable debut in a Wexford chase (19.5f, soft) on latest when attracting market support; 3lb higher now but this shorter trip should suit on that evidence; chance.

9/4

2nd

16

17th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 3f 100y

16:32 Wexford

Spanish Maid

10st 1lb

J: Michael Kenneally

T: Ross O’Sullivan

No wins in 18, with seven of those defeats over fences; doesn't look a winner waiting to happen; new yard.

6/1

OUR TIP

Form: 01/S-8

Last run: 17 days

W: 12st 0lb

9 yo Mare

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Won over 3m1f at Wexford in 2023; ran only once in 2024; last of three in a Lisronagh point-to-point in November and a 23l eighth in a better quality contest at Punchestown 17 days ago; chance at her best.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

7

16th May 2026

Good To Yielding

3m 1f 100y

16:55 Wexford

North Of Nashville

10st 7lb

J: Ricky Doyle

T: Colin Bowe

A C&D winner in 2023; lightly-raced since; posted a decent run over shorter here last time and this trip will suit better; down 1lb; chance.

6/1

4th

18

10th Apr 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 3f 100y

19:08 Wexford

North Of Nashville

11st 5lb

T: Colin Bowe

Second reserve; sole win came here in 3m1f handicap in 2023 (yielding); very lightly raced since, soft/heavy probably against her of late; potential improver back on better ground.

10th

8

2nd Apr 2026

Soft

2m 7f 55y

17:00 Clonmel

North Of Nashville

10st 10lb

J: Sean O’Keeffe

T: Colin Bowe

Won over 3m1f at Wexford in 2023; ran only once in 2024; last of three in Lisronagh point-to-point in November; eighth in better-quality contest at Punchestown in December; weakened quickly when pulled up at Navan in January; chance at her best.

25/1

Form: 836UP8 D

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 12lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Has been a mixed bag since his Ayr win in March (3m, soft); failed to complete at Down Royal and Punchestown, while he was beaten 32l back at Down Royal last time; others preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

11

12th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 172y

19:58 Sligo

Le Grand Vert

10st 0lb

J: Ms E Dunseath

T: Noel C Kelly

Three-time chase winner is rated 15lb lower in this sphere; won over fences at Ayr in February (3m, soft), his second win at that venue; 2lb wrong here though and all four wins on soft and heavy ground.

14/1

4

12th Apr 2026

Good

3m 2f 50y

17:07 Down Royal

Le Grand Vert

11st 12lb

J: Carl Millar

T: Noel C Kelly

Has a liking for Ayr with two of his three chase wins coming there, including in February (3m, soft); that win came after a moderate season; lacked the pace at an important stage at Sedgefield last time (3m3f, good); needs to do it away from Ayr.

11/1

4th

6

10th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 2f 59y

Class 4

15:38 Sedgefield

Le Grand Vert

11st 2lb

J: Mr O McGill

T: Noel C Kelly

3-29 over fences; very inconsistent nowadays but won readily at Ayr (3m, soft) last month and a subsequent 4lb rise is manageable if he's in the right mood again here.

9/2

Form: 70-P0U

Last run: 16 days

W: 11st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Placed in a small-field bumper for Gordon Elliott on debut; has struggled in four starts since joining this stable, unseated at the second over hurdles at Fairyhouse last time; both a hood and tongue-tie are now applied for chasing debut and his pedigree gives hope he may do better in this sphere.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

17th Jan 2026

Soft To Heavy

3m 0f 0y

15:00 Navan

Buckaway Freddie

11st 9lb

J: Alex Harvey

T: John C McConnell

Placed in a small-field bumper for Gordon Elliott on debut; has struggled in four starts since joining this stable, unseated at the second over hurdles at Fairyhouse last time; both a hood and tongue-tie are now applied for chasing debut and his pedigree gives hope he may do better in this sphere.

22/1

6

12th Oct 2025

Good

2m 2f 140y

14:17 Cork

Buckaway Freddie

11st 9lb

J: Alex Harvey

T: John C McConnell

Ran well on debut in a heavy ground Navan bumper but has regressed since; no signs of a revival when pulled up on handicap debut at Wexford in May; off since and can only watch.

28/1

2

28th May 2025

Good To Firm

2m 1f 0y

18:30 Wexford

Buckaway Freddie

11st 11lb

J: Ben Harvey

T: John C McConnell

Second in a bumper on debut when with Gordon Elliott; career has not progressed; no handicap experience.

16/1

Form: P07-00

Last run: 19 days

W: 10st 6lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Point-to-point winner has yet to show much in seven starts under Rules; tailed off in a Limerick handicap hurdle 19 days ago; perhaps fences can get more from her.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

12

10th Apr 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 3f 100y

19:08 Wexford

Connemara Shore

10st 11lb

J: Phillip Enright

T: Robert Tyner

Winning pointer with placed hurdles form and off the mark chasing at the second attempt in C&D handicap last month in first-time blinkers, showing good attitude to shrug off a strong favourite (pair clear of third-placed Butty O'Brien); 7lb rise looks fine, big chance of a follow-up win if handling quicker conditions.

9/2

1st

14

17th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 3f 100y

16:32 Wexford

Connemara Shore

10st 5lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Robert Tyner

Winning pointer; unseated midrace on her chase debut (3m) but hit the frame (beaten 11l) back over hurdles at Naas when tried in cheekpieces; fences remain a grey area, as are the new blinkers, but probably has a race in her off this mark; may need further.

5/1

3rd

12

4th Mar 2026

Heavy

2m 6f 20y

16:22 Naas

Connemara Shore

10st 6lb

J: Phillip Enright

T: Robert Tyner

Point-to-point winner is yet to show much in eight starts under rules'; tailed off at Limerick in December and unseated at the 12th on chasing debut at Navan last time (3m, soft to heavy); cheekpieces go on now.

12/1

Non-runners

Milanaway, Ardaghs Choice

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €11.50
Straight Forecast €15.41
Tricast €54.74
Trifecta €40.90

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Duce Bigalow

RP RATINGS (IRE):

Milanaway

The Irish Sun:

Duce Bigalow

POSTDATA:

Milanaway