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Formscan By John O'Riordan - There was plenty of encouragement to be taken from MODE AVION(11) on his second-placed chase debut at Sligo in September and that experience could prove crucial here. The four-year-old also receives a nice weight-for-age allowance, which edges him the vote over the down-in-trip The Big Clubman. Paul Nolan's charge ended his last campaign with a cracking runner-up effort in a Listed hurdle at the Punchestown Festival and he should take to this discipline. The locally based trainer couldn't have his team in better form at present. Fellow chase debutant Fierce Handay is another that warrants attention.
| NH Statistics | Runs | Wins | Places | €Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IRE | 10 | 2 | 1 | -1.40 |
| P2P | 1 | 0 | 0 |
2nd May 26 Punchestown(2m 4f 118yds Hcap Hurdle, Yielding) Rated 131 5/1 10-8 M P Walsh pulled up of 17 runners, in race won by Hello Neighbour
6th Apr 26 Fairyhouse(2m 5f 110yds Hcap Hurdle, Yielding to Soft) Rated 122 11/2JFav 10-8 Harry Cobden 1st of 15 runners, by 5.5L and 1.25L from Blue Mosque and Buachaillbocht
22nd Feb 26 Naas(1m 7f 110yds Hcap Hurdle, Heavy (soft to heavy in places on chase course)) Rated 123 7/1 11-5 M P Walsh 6th of 16 runners, 17.5L behind Give Him A Chance
Quotes on Fierce Handay (IRE)
It makes life a lot easier to live when the horses are running well,. A lot of time we go home from the races scratching our heads and depressed. We wouldn’t be depressed the way they are running at the moment. The drier ground made a big difference to him, he seemed to get very bogged down in Naas the last time and also the time before that. He seemed to travel well the whole way there. I’d say he’ll make a nice chaser, he’s a lovely big horse.
After Fierce Handay (IRE) finished 1st at Fairyhouse on Mon, 6th Apr 2026 2m 5f Hcap Hurdle Yielding to Soft
In the last 3 years Fierce Handay (IRE) has met
| Horse | No. Of times | |
| Tackletommywoowoo (IRE) | 1 | |
| 8th Mar 2025 Gowran Park(2m 30yds, Maiden Hurdle, Soft to Heavy (Hurdle), Soft (Chase)) Fierce Handay (IRE) 4th (12/1 11-12) M P Walsh 24.75L in front of Tackletommywoowoo (IRE) 7th (33/1 11-12) K C Sexton (20 ran) | ||
 | ||
Soldier Of Fortune (IRE)-Rossdara(Flemensfirth)
(212)
(Mrs Valerie Courtney)
| NH Statistics | Runs | Wins | Places | €Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IRE | 7 | 1 | 2 | -4.38 |
6th Apr 26 Cork(2m 7f 55yds Maiden Hurdle, Hurdle/Bumper: yielding. Chase: good to yielding.) Rated 112 13/8Fav 11-7 C P Millar (5) 1st of 13 runners, by nk and 7L from Jackmoon and Belladona Princess
5th Mar 26 Thurles(2m 6f 198yds Hcap Hurdle, Hurdle/Bumper:: Soft to heavy. Chase: soft, soft to heavy in places) Rated 108 9/1 11-5 C P Millar (5) 2nd of 13 runners, nose behind Lough Nigara
19th Feb 26 Thurles(2m 109yds Hcap Hurdle, Soft to Heavy) Rated 108 18/1 11-3 Ms A T O Reilly (7) 4th of 17 runners, 5.25L behind Campbell Black
Quotes on Oaks Soldier (IRE)
He has shown us that at home and was unlucky when beaten by just a nose the last day at Thurles. Carl gave him a lovely patient ride and the plan was to come late. Hopefully there is better to come although that'll probably be it for this season as he has enough done.
After Oaks Soldier (IRE) finished 1st at Cork on Mon, 6th Apr 2026 2m 7f Maiden Hurdle Yielding
| NH Statistics | Runs | Wins | Places | €Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P2P | 3 | 1 | 0 |
22nd Mar 26 Durrow P(3m Point To Point, Soft) 4/5Fav 12-2 J W Hendrick 1st of 8 runners, by 28L and 10L from Orkneys Jack and Illaunmore Rabbit
21st Feb 26 Oldtown P(3m Point To Point, Heavy) 5/4 12-2 J C Barry 2nd of 3 runners, 5L behind Petersham Place
18th Jan 26 Carrigarostig P(3m Point To Point, Soft/Heavy) 6/1 12-2 J Dunne 5th of 11 runners, 8.5L behind Cool Consul
Soldier Of Fortune (IRE)-Time In Milan(Milan)
(178)
(Pearse Callaghan)
| NH Statistics | Runs | Wins | Places | €Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IRE | 7 | 1 | 0 | 5.00 |
| P2P | 1 | 0 | 0 |
10th May 26 Cork(2m 1f 65yds Hurdle, Good, good to yielding in places) Rated 116 8/1 11-10 K M Donoghue pulled up of 8 runners, in race won by Moon Mission
5th Apr 26 Fairyhouse(2m 4f Hcap Hurdle, Yielding to Soft, soft in places) Rated 111 7/1 11-3 Donagh Meyler fell of 20 runners, in race won by Katie Daniels
7th Mar 26 Gowran Park(2m 50yds Hcap Hurdle, Hurdle/Bumper: Heavy, soft in places. Chase: Heavy) Rated 103 11/1 11-6 Donagh Meyler 1st of 11 runners, by 5.5L and 0.5L from Galavanting George and Paradise Lost
Elusive Pimpernel (USA)-Blackberry Lass(King's Theatre)
(41)
c1
(Gwanyaboya Syndicate)
| NH Statistics | Runs | Wins | Places | €Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IRE | 11 | 3 | 1 | 1.25 |
| UK | 4 | 0 | 2 | -4.00 |
24th Sep 26 Listowel(2m 6f Chase, Good, good to yielding in places) 18/1 11-12 S W Flanagan 8th of 11 runners, 22.75L behind Love Me Tender
13th Mar 26 Cheltenham(2m 7f 213yds Hurdle, Good to Soft (Soft in places)) Rated 132 50/1 11-7 Mr D L Queally 10th of 22 runners, 44.63L behind Johnny s Jury
2nd Feb 26 Leopardstown(2m 6f 53yds Hurdle, Hurdle - Heavy Chase - Soft) Rated 135 40/1 11-10 S F O Keeffe 7th of 8 runners, 30L behind Doctor Steinberg
In the last 3 years Tackletommywoowoo (IRE) has met
| Horse | No. Of times | |
| Fierce Handay (IRE) | 1 | |
| 8th Mar 2025 Gowran Park(2m 30yds, Maiden Hurdle, Soft to Heavy (Hurdle), Soft (Chase)) Fierce Handay (IRE) 4th (12/1 11-12) M P Walsh 24.75L in front of Tackletommywoowoo (IRE) 7th (33/1 11-12) K C Sexton (20 ran) | ||
| ||
Elusive Pimpernel (USA)-Miss Illusion(Oscar)
(200)
(Darren & Helen Martin)
| NH Statistics | Runs | Wins | Places | €Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IRE | 7 | 1 | 1 | 1.00 |
| P2P | 1 | 0 | 0 |
18th Apr 26 Bellewstown(2m 1f 30yds Hcap Hurdle, Yielding, Good to Yielding in places) Rated 106 7/1 11-3 E Staples (5) 1st of 12 runners, by 2.5L and hd from Dairy Force and Jaynemax
29th Mar 26 Downpatrick(2m 5f 185yds Hcap Hurdle, Yielding to Soft, Soft in places) Rated 108 7/1 11-10 K M Donoghue 5th of 10 runners, 10.25L behind Better Times
4th Feb 26 Punchestown(2m 3f 17yds Hcap Hurdle, Soft to Heavy (heavy in places on x-country)) Rated 109 16/1 11-3 C Stone-Walsh fell(7 ran) in race won by James The Brave
Affinisea (IRE)-Vintage Salon(King's Theatre)
(188)
c1
(DKCR2 Partnership)
| NH Statistics | Runs | Wins | Places | €Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IRE | 4 | 1 | 2 | 2.50 |
| UK | 1 | 0 | 1 | -1.00 |
| P2P | 2 | 0 | 0 |
30th Apr 26 Punchestown(2m 7f 110yds Hcap Hurdle, Yielding (X-country Good to Yielding, yielding in places)) Rated 132 16/1 10-13 S F O Keeffe 2nd of 24 runners, 0.5L behind Blue Mosque
27th Feb 26 Newbury(2m 4f 118yds Hurdle, Good to Soft (Soft in places)) Rated 132 15/8 11-6 S F O Keeffe 2nd of 6 runners, 3.25L behind Talk To The Man
26th Dec 25 Limerick(2m 7f Hurdle, Hurdle - heavy. Chase - soft to heavy.) 2/1Fav 11-3 C Stone-Walsh 5th of 5 runners, 15.13L behind Kazansky
In the last 3 years The Big Clubman (IRE) has met
| Horse | No. Of times | |
| The Store Boy (GB) | 1 | |
| 26th Oct 2025 Wexford(2m 145yds, Maiden Hurdle, Good to Yielding, Yielding in places --- Changed to Yielding after Race 4) The Big Clubman (IRE) 1st (11/2 11-4) S F O'Keeffe 6.50L in front of The Store Boy (GB) 3rd (13/8J Fav 11-4) D J O'Keeffe (13 ran) | ||
| ||
Blue Bresil (FR)-Midnight Tour(Midnight Legend)
ts4(121)
(Mowog Syndicate)
| NH Statistics | Runs | Wins | Places | €Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IRE | 8 | 1 | 4 | -5.50 |
6th Jul 26 Roscommon(1m 7f 204yds Hurdle, Good) Rated 117 3/1 11-8 D J O Keeffe 3rd of 6 runners, 3.5L and 7.5L behind Lizzie Twigg and Dani Donadoni
26th May 26 Ballinrobe(2m 13yds Maiden Hurdle, Good, Good to Yielding in places) Rated 112 6/4Fav 11-4 D J O Keeffe 1st of 15 runners, by 6.5L and 10L from Press The Button and Manoir De Mirande
24th Apr 26 Kilbeggan(2m 110yds Maiden Hurdle, Good to Yielding, good in places) Rated 113 10/3 11-12 D J O Keeffe 2nd of 14 runners, 2.25L behind Master Haku
In the last 3 years The Store Boy (GB) has met
| Horse | No. Of times | |
| The Big Clubman (IRE) | 1 | |
| 26th Oct 2025 Wexford(2m 145yds, Maiden Hurdle, Good to Yielding, Yielding in places --- Changed to Yielding after Race 4) The Big Clubman (IRE) 1st (11/2 11-4) S F O'Keeffe 6.50L in front of The Store Boy (GB) 3rd (13/8J Fav 11-4) D J O'Keeffe (13 ran) | ||
| ||
Shirocco (GER)-Byerley Beauty(Brian Boru)
ts6hd4(237)
(Mrs C T Ryan & Philip Brady Partnership)
| NH Statistics | Runs | Wins | Places | €Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IRE | 6 | 1 | 2 | 5.00 |
| P2P | 2 | 1 | 0 |
12th Mar 26 Limerick(2m 6f 170yds Hurdle, Heavy) Rated 127 8/1 10-9 P T Enright 6th of 7 runners, 29L behind Zanoosh
14th Feb 26 Gowran Park(2m 7f Hurdle, Heavy) Rated 118 10/1 10-7 P T Enright 2nd of 5 runners, 0.5L behind Lord Rouge
27th Dec 25 Limerick(2m 4f Maiden Hurdle, Hurdle: heavy. Chase: soft to heavy.) 10/1 10-13 P T Enright 1st of 18 runners, by 0.5L and 3.25L from Galileo Dame and Champagne Venture
Crystal Ocean (GB)-Timolin(Sadler's Wells)
hd3(187)
(John P McManus)
| NH Statistics | Runs | Wins | Places | €Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IRE | 5 | 1 | 0 | -3.00 |
| P2P | 1 | 0 | 0 |
1st May 26 Punchestown(2m 45yds Hcap Hurdle, Yielding) Rated 121 20/1 11-13 M P Walsh 11th of 24 runners, 24.69L behind Avalo
6th Apr 26 Fairyhouse(2m Hcap Hurdle, Yielding to Soft) Rated 123 8/1 12-1 M P Walsh 12th of 21 runners, 23.91L behind Jet To Monte Carlo
10th Feb 26 Limerick(1m 7f 150yds Maiden Hurdle, Heavy) 1/1Fav 11-7 M P Walsh 1st of 11 runners, by 18L and 7.5L from Fly Away Home and Jumbos Jet
Taj Mahal (IRE)-Galatica de Thaix(Rail Link)
ts+(35)
(Gigginstown House Stud)
| NH Statistics | Runs | Wins | Places | €Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IRE | 9 | 1 | 4 | -6.80 |
30th Sep 26 Sligo(2m 1f 153yds Chase, Good) 8/1 11-2 D J Gilligan 2nd of 4 runners, nk behind Putapoundinthejar
7th Aug 26 Wexford(2m 180yds Hcap Hurdle, Good, good to yielding in places) Rated 129 8/1 11-4 Josh Williamson (5) 6th of 8 runners, 35.5L behind Splashing Out
28th Apr 26 Punchestown(2m 132yds Hcap Hurdle, Yielding, good to yielding in places) Rated 130 40/1 9-9 Josh Williamson (5) 12th of 21 runners, 25.25L behind Kalix Delabarriere
Quotes on Mode Avion (FR)
To be honest, it didn’t look the strongest race in the world. It was a good performance, but it was a good opportunity,. I think he’s come on a bit from Thurles (third there last month), he’s a grand horse. We might jump a fence with him sooner rather than later. We might try and use his four-year-old allowances over fences, he jumps great.
After Mode Avion (FR) finished 1st at Fairyhouse on Sat, 21st Feb 2026 2m Hcap Hurdle Heavy
Symbols Explained
ts2 Tongue Strap vs2 Visor hd2 Hood es2 Eye Shield ec2 Eye Cover cp2 Cheekpiece bl2 Blinkers tt2 Tongue Tie cd2 Course and Distance Winner c2 Course Winner d2 Distance Winner bf Beaten Favourite on Last Run
The superscript number on headgear bl2 indicates number of times worn. A plus bl+ indicates more than 10 times where as red background bl1indicates first time.
