January 29 / 14.55 Thurles

14.55

Soft

ThurlesRaces.ie Maiden Hurdle

  • Prize money: £5130.43
  • 1m 7f 179y
  • 20 runners
RTV
View Course
ThurlesRaces.ie Maiden Hurdle

Runners: 20 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

1/5 (Won)

  • Win: £1.20
  • Place: £1.02

Form: 152-F D BF

Last run: 34 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Recruited for 200,000euros after winning a point; smart bumper form last season for Gary & Josh Moore, fifth in Champion Bumper at Cheltenham and runner-up at Punchestown; bought for £410,000 at Cheltenham in October; would have been an easy winner on hurdle/yard debut at Leopardstown but stumbled and fell after jumping the last; Supreme second favourite is impossible to oppose.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

28th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 0f 132y

16:15 Punchestown

El Cairos

11st 12lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Gordon Elliott

One of three for yard; smart bumper form; fell with race at his mercy on hurdles debut at Leopardstown in December; survived a final flight blunder to win a maiden at Thurles; didn't get home up the Cheltenham hill in the Supreme last time; this track should suit better; preferred by Kennedy and big chance if cutting out the jumping errors.

15/8

5th

3

10th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 87y

Class 1

13:20 Cheltenham

El Cairos

11st 7lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Gordon Elliott

Appears to act on any ground; good fifth in the Champion Bumper at this meeting last year then might have won at Punchestown but for hanging badly left; sold for £410,000 at the David Maxwell dispersal in October; clumsy at the final flight in both attempts over hurdles, causing him to stumble and fall when looking the likely winner at Leopardstown but getting away with it and comfortably beating his rivals at Thurles (2m); not without his flaws but has a big engine and brings serious potential to this return to Cheltenham.

7/1

1st

2

29th Jan 2026

Soft

1m 7f 179y

14:55 Thurles

El Cairos

11st 12lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Gordon Elliott

Recruited for 200,000euros after winning a point; smart bumper form last season for Gary & Josh Moore, fifth in Champion Bumper at Cheltenham and runner-up at Punchestown; bought for £410,000 at Cheltenham in October; would have been an easy winner on hurdle/yard debut at Leopardstown but stumbled and fell after jumping the last; Supreme second favourite is impossible to oppose.

1/5

OUR TIP

50/1

  • Place: £10.40

Form: P

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 12lb

7 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Three-time Flat winner; bolted up in Listowel handicap (1m6f, heavy) in September; pulled up on hurdle debut at Tramore on New Year's Day.
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: 24-4

Last run: 177 days

W: 10st 11lb

6 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Second to a smart one in her first bumper before slightly lesser show at Galway; best work at the finish when fourth of 15 on hurdle debut at Roscommon in August (20.5f, good to yielding); this trip could be sharp.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

11

26th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 2f 188y

16:42 Clonmel

Tangara Bay

10st 13lb

J: Patrick M O’Brien

T: Henry De Bromhead

Good second behind prolific bumper performer Seo Linn on debut at Ballinrobe in August; stayed on well to finish fourth on hurdles debut at Roscommon; similar form back down in trip when 14l fifth behind El Cairos 56 days ago; step up in trip will suit and definite claims.

11/2

5th

18

29th Jan 2026

Soft

1m 7f 179y

14:55 Thurles

Tangara Bay

10st 11lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Henry De Bromhead

Second to a smart one in her first bumper before slightly lesser show at Galway; best work at the finish when fourth of 15 on hurdle debut at Roscommon in August (20.5f, good to yielding); this trip could be sharp.

10/1

Form: 6-95 BF

Last run: 31 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Sixth of 17 in valuable sales bumper at Fairyhouse last April; didn't build on that when midfield in strong Listowel festival bumper; sent off favourite when disappointing fifth at Limerick on hurdle bow (2m3f, soft to heavy); this demands more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

7

2nd Apr 2026

Soft

2m 3f 114y

17:30 Clonmel

Lord Of The Locke

11st 12lb

J: Philip Byrnes

T: C Byrnes

Sixth of 17 in valuable sales bumper at Fairyhouse last April; beaten favourite at Limerick on hurdles debut; not disgraced behind El Cairos at Thurles in January; fair fifth of 16 at Punchestown; considered in a contest lacking depth.

5/1

7th

7

29th Jan 2026

Soft

1m 7f 179y

14:55 Thurles

Lord Of The Locke

11st 4lb

J: Michael Kenneally

T: C Byrnes

Sixth of 17 in valuable sales bumper at Fairyhouse last April; didn't build on that when midfield in strong Listowel festival bumper; sent off favourite when disappointing fifth at Limerick on hurdle bow (2m3f, soft to heavy); this demands more.

25/1

Form: 6524

Last run: 65 days

W: 11st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Glimmer of ability in point-to-points; good hurdling debut when 1.5l third at Limerick (2m3f, good to yielding); faded into fourth late on at Tramore (2m, soft); probably prefers better ground; place chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

6

29th Jan 2026

Soft

1m 7f 179y

14:55 Thurles

Hows The Head

11st 4lb

J: Miss J Townend

T: Timothy Townend

Glimmer of ability in point-to-points; good hurdling debut when 1.5l third at Limerick (2m3f, good to yielding); faded into fourth late on at Tramore (2m, soft); probably prefers better ground; place chance.

20/1

4

18th Oct 2025

Good

2m 3f 0y

14:20 Limerick

Hows The Head

11st 12lb

J: Miss J Townend

T: Timothy Townend

Mixed form in points without winning but showed some ability; not bad runs in two bumpers; hood and tongue-tie retained; possibilities.

13/2

Form: P-07

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 4lb

8 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Pulled up at Clonmel on debut; never a factor at Thurles and Tramore; will be one for handicaps.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

7

19th Apr 2026

Soft

2m 4f 110y

15:53 Tramore

Quietrunsthedon

11st 4lb

J: Brian Hayes

T: Liam P Cusack

Didn't count on handicap debut at Punchestown in February when a 50-1 shot; hard to fancy unless market speaks.

20/1

10th

12

29th Jan 2026

Soft

1m 7f 179y

14:55 Thurles

Quietrunsthedon

11st 4lb

J: John Shinnick

T: Liam P Cusack

Pulled up at Clonmel on debut; never a factor at Thurles and Tramore; will be one for handicaps.

150/1

Form: 0-00

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Rated 56 on the Flat; has no apparent chance judged on his remote finishes in this sphere at Fairyhouse and Clonmel.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

5

(25)

9th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 1f 0y

19:38 Leopardstown

Max Meridius

9st 12lb

J: Donagh O’Connor

T: Thomas Mullins

Ended last season with a respectable fifth on handicap debut in a 25-runner 1m2f Curragh race on heavy ground; fit from hurdling before beginning new Flat campaign with an encouraging fith at this venue, not far off Half Nutz then; first-time cheeekpieces.

13/2

5th

4

(2)

18th Jun 2026

Yielding

1m 1f 0y

18:50 Leopardstown

Max Meridius

9st 12lb

J: Shane Foley

T: Thomas Mullins

Ended last season with a respectable fifth on handicap debut in a 25-runner 1m2f Curragh race on heavy ground; fit from hurdling; could go well.

10/1

Form: 0-0

Last run: 53 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Winner of his second point-to-point start on soft; tailed off in Punchestown bumper on rules debut; no impact on hurdle bow at Cork last month.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

4

16th May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 1f 0y

14:40 Wexford

Ballindenisk

11st 9lb

J: E Walsh

T: John Joseph Murphy

One of two for trainer; beat Grade 2 winner Kazansky in a Lisronagh point-to-point last year; however, form under rules to date has been underwhelming; may show something now in a handicap.

13/1

5th

2

7th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 2f 101y

14:15 Naas

Ballindenisk

11st 12lb

J: E Walsh

T: John Joseph Murphy

Ought to be interesting on account of having beaten Kazansky (now a Grade 2 novice hurdle winner and Grade 1 runner-up) in a maiden at Lisronagh last March; however, he has failed to show any significant promise in a bumper and two maiden hurdles.

50/1

12th

3

29th Jan 2026

Soft

1m 7f 179y

14:55 Thurles

Ballindenisk

11st 4lb

J: E Walsh

T: John Joseph Murphy

Winner of his second point-to-point start on soft; tailed off in Punchestown bumper on rules debut; no impact on hurdle bow at Cork last month.

150/1

Form: 800

Last run: 15 days

W: 10st 11lb

6 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Has contested two bumpers and a maiden hurdle without showing any sign of winning potential at this stage.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

12

13th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

18:20 Punchestown

Ode To Joy

11st 0lb

J: Gavin Brouder

T: William J McLernon

Maiden has been consistent lately; place chance if replicating last month's Bellewstown third behind Bella Union who backed that up with a Down Royal win last week.

7/1

3rd

10

18th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 1f 30y

16:25 Bellewstown

Ode To Joy

11st 0lb

J: Gavin Brouder

T: William J McLernon

Maiden has run solid races the last thrice but needs to find more from somewhere to make the breakthrough; can be keen.

8/1

5th

8

2nd Apr 2026

Soft

1m 7f 200y

18:30 Clonmel

Ode To Joy

10st 13lb

J: Gavin Brouder

T: William J McLernon

Beaten 6l at Naas over this trip on handicap debut but was keen over 2m3f here since while still running well; the drop back to 2m should suit and is on the shortlist.

9/2

Form:

Last run: 14 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form:

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form: 07

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form: 04

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form: 3

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form: 723-2

Last run: 14 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form: P

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form: 48

Last run: 33 days

W: 10st 11lb

6 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Non-runners

Ballinaboola Gold, Thisaintthat, Smooth Talker

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €2.20
Straight Forecast €1.55
Trifecta €37.70

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

El Cairos

RP RATINGS (IRE):

El Cairos

POSTDATA:

El Cairos

The Irish Sun:

El Cairos