13:12 Clonmel

Thursday 6 November 2025

All12:3713:1213:4714:2214:5715:3216:07

Connolly's RED MILLS Irish EBF Auction Maiden Hurdle

Off time: 13:12 | Winning time: 4m 14.3s

If You Believe¹⁹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-12| J: Keith Donoghue| T: G P Cromwell

5/1

Successful on sole outing in points. Went through the race as well as any and shaped much better than the distance beaten suggests when tenth of 18 in a valuable bumper at Punchestown (16.7f) on Rules debut. Likely to improve now hurdling and one to note if supported.

Form: 10-

Button Rock²³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott

25/1

Runner-up in a point in May but shaped as though in need of time/distance when seventh of 14 in novice hurdle at Punchestown (20f, good to soft) on NH debut 23 days ago. Drops back in distance and while in excellent hands, he may be one for handicaps.

Form: P06-27

Big Dispute²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Phillip Enright| T: Con McSweeney| OR: 104| D

8/1

Bumper winner left previous hurdling efforts behind when second at Killarney (20.2f) in May and backed that up following 5 months off when third of 8 in novice hurdle at Cork (20.4f, good to soft) 25 days ago. Form looks solid and he can go well under a positive ride back down in trip.

Form: 8060-23

Hillberry Hill

Age: 4| Weight: 11-6| J: Danny Mullins| T: Ms M Mullins

20/1

Kingston Hill gelding. Dam unraced. Market should guide expectations on debut.

Form:

Scope To Improve²¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: Darragh O'Keeffe| T: H De Bromhead| D

2/7

Easy winner sole start in Point. Started life under rules with a smooth success in a Naas bumper and had yet to be asked for effort when meeting trouble in a Grade 2 bumper at Aintree next time. Makes plenty of appeal on first start over hurdles with yard in tremendous form.

Form: 1/10-

Sock It To Me

Age: 4| Weight: 11-6| J: Tiernan Power Roche⁽⁵⁾| T: P J Rothwell

100/1

€7,500 3-y-o, Shirocco gelding. Dam unraced. Debutant only considered if market vibes are positive.

Form:

Themanintheanorak¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: J J Slevin| T: E M O'Sullivan

22/1

Scored in smooth fashion on debut in a 2½ Listowel bumper. Hasn't kicked on over hurdles, fifth of 10 in novice hurdle (25/1) at Limerick (16.3f, soft) 18 days ago, unsuited by drop in trip. Likely to be better off in handicaps over further.

Form: F3-1765

Dunleer Crystal

Age: 4| Weight: 11-4| J: Jake Coen| T: G Elliott

33/1

Crystal Ocean gelding. Half-brother to modest hurdler Toughasoldboots. Dam unraced half-sister to useful hurdler (stayed 2¼m) Steps To Freedom. Newcomer could be stable second-string (betting should prove informative with yard also saddling Button Rock).

Form:

Cockney Cleopatra^h¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 11-3| J: Philip Donovan⁽³⁾| T: P M J Doyle

50/1

Fell on debut but caught the eye under a confidence boosting rice when fifth of 11 in novice hurdle at Limerick (16.3f, soft) 18 days ago, finishing with running left. Likely to improve at some stage and market should reveal whether she's being aimed at handicaps.

Form: F5

Forecasts

Scope To Improve (2/7), If You Believe (5/1), Big Dispute (8/1), Hillberry Hill (20/1), Themanintheanorak (22/1), Button Rock (25/1), Dunleer Crystal (33/1), Cockney Cleopatra (50/1), Sock It To Me (100/1)

SCOPE TO IMPROVE showed plenty of ability in bumpers, having still been on the bridle when meeting trouble in a Grade 2 at Aintree when last seen, and he's fancied to make a winning start over hurdles. Big Dispute arrives in good heart and should go well under a positive ride back down in trip, while If You Believe shaped much better than the result on his debut and is one to note if supported on hurdles bow.