11:37 Thurles

Saturday 20 December 2025

All11:3712:1212:4713:2213:5714:3215:0515:40

Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Chase

4YO plus | 2m 5f 127y | 14 Runners | Turf

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Philip Donovan| T: Jonathan Sweeney| OR: 130| CD

Won a hurdle at this course in March but finished fifth of 11 in maiden chase over similar C&D (4/1) 30 days ago, running better than before but effort flattened out. May be capable of better in handicap chase.

Form: 410-455

Any Road⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Gary Noonan| T: A Slattery| OR: 123

Finished fifth of 13 in a maiden chase at Fairyhouse (18/1) 7 days ago, showing more than on previous start in this sphere. Faces significant step up in trip today.

Form: 0-57395

Hitak^p1²⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: P Hanlon⁽⁴⁾| T: J J Hanlon| OR: 120

Has shown modest form in chases since winning a hurdle handicap in March, finishing seventh of 15 in a maiden chase at Cork (8/1) 27 days ago with another weak finish. First-time cheekpieces applied.

Form: 51-P357

Luckinthecity^p1⁸⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Carl Millar⁽²⁾| T: C Collins| OR: 120

Fifth of 8 in conditions chase at Listowel (16/1) 86 days ago, making novicey mistakes and never involved. First-time cheekpieces replace tongue strap for handicap chase debut. First run for new trainer.

Form: 1FP-3U5

Milan Forth^t⁴⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Mr K P Healy⁽⁴⁾| T: S Cavanagh| OR: 120

Won twice in three starts over fences including at Down Royal (20f, good) in March 2025. Finished seventh of 29 in conditions chase at Aintree (11/2) 261 days ago when untidy jumping late on took its toll after early exuberance. Making handicap debut after a break for new trainer and likely has more to offer.

Form: 1317-P3

Inthenickoftime⁷²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Charlie O'Dwyer| T: E Bolger| OR: 118| BF

Consistent form with a win and three runner-up finishes in last four starts. Second of 7 in handicap hurdle at Tramore (10/11) 72 days ago, unable to get to winner having not had much room around 2 out. Runs off higher chase mark but remains open to further progress over fences.

Form: 6-32212

Lisleigh Lad⁴⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: James Smith⁽²⁾| T: Ms E Broderick| OR: 117

Won once in chases last season but pulled up in field of 15 at Listowel (10/1) 201 days ago, running poorly. Makes handicap debut.

Form: 5P1-P68

That's About Right^p¹²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-9| J: Tiernan Power Roche| T: P J Rothwell| OR: 113| CD

Most recently third of 10 in a handicap chase at Killarney (25/1) 121 days ago when making late headway after being outpaced. Back up in trip and could show better form at this familiar venue.

Form: 121-843

A Nod To Getaway^v⁵¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-6| J: Eoin Staples⁽⁴⁾| T: P O'Flynn| OR: 110| C

Won 2 of last 3 races, including first of 12 in handicap chase at Thurles (9/2) 51 days ago when having to dig deep. Up 8lbs but has shown good staying qualities in recent wins.

Form: 154131

Ferdia⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 10-6| J: Liam McKenna| T: J P Ryan| OR: 110| D

Showed no sign of retaining ability when pulled up at Navan (100/1) 6 days ago after more than 3 years off.

Form: 57445/P

Roxhill Roise¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-6| J: Aidan Kelly| T: D M O'Brien| OR: 110

Won a hurdle handicap at Tramore (21f) but struggled when 11th of 15 in maiden chase at Clonmel (33/1) 18 days ago. Faces a tough task on second chase start with step up in trip.

Form: 5189-80

Willywampus²³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-3| J: Calum Hogan⁽⁴⁾| T: Eamon Courtney| OR: 107| C| D

In a lull over fences recently, but finished third of 13 in handicap hurdle at this course (7/1) 23 days ago. Runs off higher chase mark.

Form: 74-U663

Mount Frisco⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: Michael Kenneally⁽⁴⁾| T: J P Ryan| OR: 106

Out of sorts for a long time but showed improvement when fifth of 12 in chase at Navan (33/1) 6 days ago. Returns to longer trip after better showing. Without a win in 16 races.

Form: 666-8P5

The Dara Man⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 10-1| J: Shane O'Callaghan| T: J P Ryan| OR: 105

Ten-year-old who pulled up in 11-runner handicap chase at Navan (25/1) 6 days ago, extending winless run to 12 starts. Needs significant improvement to compete.

Form: P0U46P

Forecasts

Inthenickoftime (5/2), A Nod To Getaway (4/1), Rushmount (7/1), Luckinthecity (8/1), Milan Forth (10/1), Willywampus (10/1), Hitak (14/1), That's About Right (14/1), Any Road (16/1), The Dara Man (20/1), Lisleigh Lad (20/1), Ferdia (25/1), Mount Frisco (25/1), Roxhill Roise (25/1)

INTHENICKOFTIME has been a model of consistency with a win and three runner-up finishes in his last four starts and remains open to further improvement over fences. Milan Forth, twice successful over fences, makes his handicap debut after a break and likely has more to offer. That's About Right, a course and distance winner, could show better form back at this familiar venue.