Clonmel Race 3

Surehaul Mercedes-Benz Novice Hurdle (Grade 3)

Prize Money: $64,575

Gordon Elliott holds a strong hand in this novice hurdle. BALLY FREE (1) was a good winner of a point to point and improved scoring by a head two months ago. Cheek pieces fitted for the first time which could bring about more improvement. Rates firmly as the one to beat. LORD ROUGE (2) is the second Elliott runner who wears a hood for the first time after finishing down field contesting the G1 Slaney Novice Hurdle in January. Could give a bold show. TIMESAREACHANGING (4) looks a useful hurdler who deserves this chance and won't be far away. REBEL BUDZ (3) holds decent form though might find this too hard.

Distance: 4828m
Track: Heavy
Weather: Showers
Surface: Turf
Class: OPEN

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Bally Free (1) 1x41
Trainer: Gordon Elliott(@Longwood, Co Meath)
Jockey: Jack Kennedy
Weight: 70kg
Prize Money: $11,993
Win / Place: 66% / 66%

Unbeaten the Distance

6 yo Bay Gelding

Sire: FLEMENSFIRTH (USA)

Dam: TIGRIDIA (IRE)

Dam's Sire: Brian Boru

Rating

Stats

Career

3: 2-0-0

Distance

2: 2-0-0

1st Up

2: 1-0-0

2nd Up

1: 1-0-0

Non-Metro

3: 2-0-0

Turf

3: 2-0-0

Soft

2: 1-0-0

Heavy

1: 1-0-0

Clockwise

2: 1-0-0

Hurdle

2: 1-0-0

Jockey Stats

Horse

1: 1-0-0

Trainer

W 0% P 0%

Distance

W 0% P 0%

Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Distance

W 0% P 0%

Distance Range Last 6 months

4425m - 4828m

Comments

Third-up today. Resuming finished fourth of 14 starters at Punchestown on November 23 over 4425m, 12 len behind Champagne Kid carrying 75.5kg at $7. Second run from a spell won by a head Fairyhouse on December 13 over 4828m on rain affected going defeating Melbourne Shamrock with 71.5kg at $4.30 in a hurdle. Fitter now and making headway every start. Looks hard to beat

Expected Settling Position: Off Pace

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Class	Barrier	Jockey	Weight	Cond.	Race Time	Avg. Speed	Margin	800/400	SP	Days	Prize	Prize Won	Result
1st of 11	13/12/25	Fairyhouse	4828m	MHDLE 4U	-	Jack Kennedy	71.5kg	Soft	6:31.00	44.5 km/h	0.2L	-	$4.33	20	$18,990	$10,886	1. Bally Free 2. Melbourne Shamrock 3. I Am Lorenzo
4th of 14	23/11/25	Punchestown	4425m	MHDLE 5U	-	Jordan Gainford	75.5kg	SH	5:48.10	45.8 km/h	12.0L	-	$7.00	274	$26,010	$1,107	1. Champagne Kid 2. Court Compliance 3. He Can't Dance
274 Day Spell
1st of 13	22/2/25	Farmacaffley P2p	4828m	P2P MDN G 5	-	O Mcgill	61kg	Heavy		-	12.0L	-	$1.00	-	$0	-	1. Bally Free 2. Clough Clouds 3. Beans On Toast

Lord Rouge (2) 2x18
Trainer: Gordon Elliott(@Longwood, Co Meath)
Jockey: Jordan Gainford
Weight: 70kg
Prize Money: $13,607
Win / Place: 33% / 66%

5 yo Chestnut Gelding

Sire: CASTLE DU BERLAIS (FR)

Dam: QUICHE LORRAINE (FR)

Dam's Sire: Bateau Rouge

Rating

Stats

Career

3: 1-1-0

Season

1: 0-0-0

1st Up

2: 1-1-0

2nd Up

1: 0-0-0

Non-Metro

3: 1-1-0

Turf

3: 1-1-0

Soft

2: 1-0-0

Heavy

1: 0-1-0

Clockwise

1: 1-0-0

Anti-Clockwise

1: 0-0-0

Hurdle

1: 1-0-0

Jockey Stats

Trainer

W 0% P 0%

Distance

W 0% P 0%

Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Distance

W 0% P 0%

Distance Range Last 6 months

3419m - 4023m

Comments

Third-up today. Resuming won by 1.75 len Cork on December 7 over 3419m defeating Dani Donadoni carrying 75.5kg at $4.30 in a hurdle. Second run from a spell finished eighth of 10 starters at Naas in the G1 Slaney Novice Hurdle on January 9 over 4023m, slow track; 82 len behind I'll Sort That carrying 74.5kg at $34. Rates well. Top chance at best.

Expected Settling Position: Off Midfield

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Class	Barrier	Jockey	Weight	Cond.	Race Time	Avg. Speed	Margin	800/400	SP	Days	Prize	Prize Won	Result
8th of 10	9/1/26	Naas	4023m	G1 OPEN 5U	-	Sam Ewing	74.5kg	Soft	5:05.10	47.5 km/h	82.0L	-	$34	33	$189,140	-	1. I'll Sort That 2. Sortudo 3. Fruit De Mer
33 Day Freshen-Up
1st of 19	7/12/25	Cork	3419m	MHDLE 4U	-	Jack Kennedy	75.5kg	SH	4:26.00	46.3 km/h	1.8L	-	$4.33	288	$21,680	$13,607	1. Lord Rouge 2. Dani Donadoni 3. Mahon Falls
288 Day Spell
2nd of 5	22/2/25	Punchestown P2p	4023m	P2P MDN 4	-	D Doyle	60kg	Heavy		-	2.0L	-	$1.00	-	$0	-	1. Heldam 2. Lord Rouge 3. Mineola Farloe

Rebel Budz (3) x6321x42x1
Trainer: Paul O'flynn(@Mallow, Co Cork)
Jockey: Darragh O'keeffe
Weight: 70kg
Prize Money: $19,207
Win / Place: 25% / 75%

7 yo Brown Gelding

Sire: MALINAS (GER)

Dam: QUARRY PUTTENS (IRE)

Dam's Sire: Oscar

100

Rating

Stats

Career

8: 2-2-2

Distance

6: 2-1-2

Season

1: 1-0-0

1st Up

4: 1-0-1

2nd Up

2: 0-1-1

3rd Up

1: 0-1-0

4th Up

1: 1-0-0

Non-Metro

8: 2-2-2

Turf

8: 2-2-2

Good

2: 0-1-1

Soft

6: 2-1-1

Clockwise

2: 1-1-0

Anti-Clockwise

1: 0-0-0

Hurdle

2: 1-1-0

Handicap Rating

120

Jockey Stats

Horse

2: 1-1-0

Trainer

W 0% P 0%

Distance

W 0% P 0%

Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Distance

W 0% P 0%

Distance Range Last 6 months

4023m - 4828m

Comments

Racing second-up today. Freshened for 40 days. First-up after two months won by 14 len Cork on January 3 over 4828m defeating Frankie's Freebie with 75.5kg at $3.50 in a hurdle. Previously second-up finished second of 11 starters at Thurles on October 30 over 4526m, 1.5 len behind Found A Diamond with 71.5kg at $4. Key runner - don't underestimate.

Expected Settling Position: Off Pace

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Class	Barrier	Jockey	Weight	Cond.	Race Time	Avg. Speed	Margin	800/400	SP	Days	Prize	Prize Won	Result
1st of 7	3/1/26	Cork	4828m	MHDLE 4U	-	D J O'keeffe	75.5kg	YS	6:18.90	45.9 km/h	14.0L	-	$3.50	65	$22,700	$13,063	1. Rebel Budz 2. Frankie's Freebie 3. Fillyoureye
65 Day Spell
2nd of 11	30/10/25	Thurles	4526m	MHDLE 5U	-	D J O'keeffe	71.5kg	GY	5:42.10	47.6 km/h	1.5L	-	$4.00	36	$26,010	$5,258	1. Found A Diamond 2. Rebel Budz 3. Chisum
36 Day Freshen-Up
4th of 15	24/9/25	Listowel	4023m	FLAT 5U	-	Finian Maguire	76kg	Y	5:13.90	46.1 km/h	17.5L	-	$11	178	$20,810	$886	1. Apache Tribe 2. Poetic Glory 3. Mickey Hulie
178 Day Spell
1st of 12	30/3/25	Liscarroll P2p	4828m	P2P MDN G 6U	-	A Burke Ott	61kg	Y		-	21.0L	-	$1.00	29	$0	-	1. Rebel Budz 2. Stan Wellback 3. Wheresmemoneygone
2nd of 5	1/3/25	Kildorrery P2p	4828m	P2P MDN G 6U	-	A Burke Ott	61kg	Soft		-	3.5L	-	$1.00	27	$0	-	1. Made U Look 2. Rebel Budz 3. Just Keeps Rolling
3rd of 6	2/2/25	Bellharbour P2p	4828m	P2P MDN G 6U	-	A Burke Ott	61kg	Good		-	10.8L	-	$1.00	57	$0	-	1. Cosmic Blizzard 2. Drumcliff Bay 3. Rebel Budz
57 Day Freshen-Up

Timesareachanging (4) 0x1x31
Trainer: Andrew Slattery(@Thurles, Co Tipperary)
Jockey: Philip Donovan
Weight: 70kg
Prize Money: $14,724
Win / Place: 50% / 75%

7 yo Chestnut Gelding

Sire: MAHLER (GB)

Dam: NUMERO HUIT (IRE)

Dam's Sire: Robin Des Champs

Rating

Stats

Career

4: 2-0-1

Distance

2: 1-0-0

Season

1: 1-0-0

1st Up

3: 1-0-1

2nd Up

1: 1-0-0

Non-Metro

4: 2-0-1

Turf

4: 2-0-1

Soft

3: 2-0-1

Heavy

1: 0-0-0

Clockwise

1: 0-0-1

Anti-Clockwise

1: 1-0-0

Hurdle

1: 1-0-0

Jockey Stats

Horse

1: 1-0-0

Trainer

W 0% P 0%

Distance

W 0% P 0%

Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Distance

W 0% P 0%

Distance Range Last 6 months

3621m - 4425m

Comments

Third-up today. Resuming finished third of 7 starters at Limerick on December 28 over 3621m, 11 len behind Rojuco Mac carrying 74kg at $5. Second-up won by 1.75 len Navan on January 17 over 4425m defeating Court Compliance carrying 74kg at $26 in a hurdle. Progressing well this campaign. Warrants thought.

Expected Settling Position: Leader

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Class	Barrier	Jockey	Weight	Cond.	Race Time	Avg. Speed	Margin	800/400	SP	Days	Prize	Prize Won	Result
1st of 12	17/1/26	Navan	4425m	MHDLE 4U	-	Philip Donovan	74kg	SH	6:07.10	43.4 km/h	1.8L	-	$26	20	$22,700	$13,063	1. Timesareachanging 2. Court Compliance 3. He Can't Dance
3rd of 7	28/12/25	Limerick	3621m	FLAT 4U	-	A P Ryan	74kg	SH	5:00.30	43.4 km/h	11.8L	-	$5.00	707	$18,990	$1,661	1. Rojuco Mac 2. Looking For Eight 3. Timesareachanging
707 Day Spell
1st of 3	21/1/24	Carrigarostig P2p	4828m	P2P MDN G 5	-	B Finn	60kg	Soft		-	0.8L	-	$1.00f	274	$0	-	1. Timesareachanging 2. For One Night Only 3. Our Shane
274 Day Spell
99th of 13	22/4/23	Necarne P2p	4828m	P2P MDN 4	-	B O'neill	60kg	Heavy		-	99.0L	-	$1.00	-	$0	-	1. Springt De La Mare 2. Bleu De Vassy 3. Defi Nonantais

Walks The Talk (5) 1x3241152
Trainer: J C Mcconnell(@Stamullen, Co Meath)
Jockey: Alex Harvey
Weight: 68kg
Prize Money: $38,240
Win / Place: 37% / 75%

7 yo Bay Mare

Sire: WALK IN THE PARK (IRE)

Dam: BALLYKNOCK HILL (IRE)

Dam's Sire: Indian Danehill

Rating

Stats

Career

8: 3-2-1

Distance

2: 1-1-0

Season

1: 0-1-0

1st Up

2: 1-0-1

2nd Up

1: 0-1-0

3rd Up

1: 0-0-0

4th Up

1: 1-0-0

Metro

1: 0-0-0

Non-Metro

7: 3-2-1

Turf

8: 3-2-1

Good

7: 3-2-0

Soft

1: 0-0-1

Clockwise

5: 1-2-1

Anti-Clockwise

2: 1-0-0

Hurdle

3: 2-1-0

Handicap Rating

119

Jockey Stats

Horse

3: 1-1-0

Trainer

W 0% P 0%

Distance

W 0% P 0%

Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Distance

W 0% P 0%

Distance Range Last 6 months

3822m - 4828m

Comments

Last start finished second in a small field at Musselburgh on January 31 over 4828m, 4 len behind Absolutely Doyen with 70.5kg at $4.30. Run before didn't do much in the run; finished fifth of 9 runners at Haydock Park in the LR on December 20 over 3822m, 6 len behind Supreme Malinas carrying 70kg at $7. Won't find this easy.

Expected Settling Position: Leader

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Class	Barrier	Jockey	Weight	Cond.	Race Time	Avg. Speed	Margin	800/400	SP	Days	Prize	Prize Won	Result
2nd of 5	31/1/26	Musselburgh	4828m	HDLE 5U	-	Alex Harvey	70.5kg	Good Soft	5:53.03	49.2 km/h	3.8L	1-1	$4.33	42	$45,370	$11,208	1. Absolutely Doyen 2. Walks The Talk 3. Sleedagh
42 Day Freshen-Up
5th of 9	20/12/25	Haydock Park	3822m	LR OPEN M 4U	-	Alex Harvey	70kg	Good Soft	4:36.20	49.8 km/h	5.8L	1-1	$7.00	42	$81,670	$1,113	1. Supreme Malinas 2. Park Princess 3. A Path To Ronda
42 Day Freshen-Up
1st of 7	8/11/25	Kelso	4526m	HDLE 4U	-	J J Slevin	70kg	Good Soft	5:40.85	47.8 km/h	6.5L	1-1	$2.25f	40	$14,520	$8,039	1. Walks The Talk 2. Tamarind Bay 3. Humble Jumble
40 Day Freshen-Up
1st of 16	29/9/25	Roscommon	4023m	MHDLE M 4U	-	Alex Harvey	69.5kg	GY	4:57.10	48.7 km/h	5.5L	-	$4.50	56	$19,420	$10,886	1. Walks The Talk 2. Music Of Life 3. Atlantic City
56 Day Freshen-Up
4th of 10	4/8/25	Cork	3721m	FLAT 4U	-	Finn Buckley	70kg	Good	4:17.50	52.0 km/h	9.8L	-	$3.50	20	$19,340	$1,661	1. Passenger 2. St Lawrence's Well 3. Crossroads
2nd of 8	15/7/25	Downpatrick	3822m	FLAT 4U	-	Finn Buckley	70kg	Good	4:28.40	51.3 km/h	0.5L	-	$3.00	30	$17,340	$3,506	1. Closutton 2. Walks The Talk 3. Passing Diamond

Changeyourstars (6) 3x1x0x921
Trainer: James King(@Glenbane, Co Tipperary)
Jockey: Phillip Enright
Weight: 66.5kg
Prize Money: $16,569
Win / Place: 33% / 66%

6 yo Bay Mare

Sire: SHIROCCO (GER)

Dam: BYERLEY BEAUTY (IRE)

Dam's Sire: Brian Boru

Rating

Stats

Career

6: 2-1-1

Distance

2: 1-0-1

Track

1: 0-0-0

1st Up

4: 1-0-1

2nd Up

1: 0-1-0

3rd Up

1: 1-0-0

Non-Metro

6: 2-1-1

Turf

6: 2-1-1

Soft

4: 1-0-1

Heavy

2: 1-1-0

Clockwise

4: 1-1-0

Hurdle

3: 1-1-0

Handicap Rating

118

Jockey Stats

Horse

2: 1-1-0

Trainer

W 0% P 0%

Distance

W 0% P 0%

Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Distance

W 0% P 0%

Distance Range Last 6 months

4023m - 4123m

Comments

Resumes off a 47 day letup. Last run won by 0.5 len Limerick on December 27 over 4023m on heavy going defeating Galileo Dame with 69.5kg at $11 in a hurdle. The start before that; finished second of 16 runners at Fairyhouse on November 21 over 4123m, on heavy track; 2.25 len behind Katie Daniels carrying 69.5kg at $51. Hard to have despite the strong recent efforts.

Expected Settling Position: Midfield

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Class	Barrier	Jockey	Weight	Cond.	Race Time	Avg. Speed	Margin	800/400	SP	Days	Prize	Prize Won	Result
1st of 18	27/12/25	Limerick	4023m	MHDLE M 4U	-	Philip Enright	69.5kg	Heavy	5:33.10	43.5 km/h	0.5L	-	$11	36	$22,790	$13,063	1. Changeyourstars 2. Galileo Dame 3. Champagne Venture
36 Day Freshen-Up
2nd of 16	21/11/25	Fairyhouse	4123m	MHDLE M 4U	-	Philip Enright	69.5kg	Heavy	5:35.50	44.2 km/h	2.3L	-	$51	29	$18,910	$3,506	1. Katie Daniels 2. Changeyourstars 3. Zanoosh
9th of 12	23/10/25	Clonmel	4023m	MHDLE M 4U	-	P A King	71kg	Y	5:01.10	48.1 km/h	32.8L	-	$21	185	$28,780	-	1. Carry On Heidi 2. Two Pair 3. Katie Daniels
185 Day Spell
12th of 13	21/4/25	Cork	3218m	FLAT M 47	-	P A King	72.5kg	Y	3:49.40	50.5 km/h	23.0L	-	$7.00	71	$17,340	-	1. Miss Doyenne 2. Torpille Dagrostis 3. Crohan Lady
71 Day Spell
1st of 9	9/2/25	Tallow P2p	4828m	P2P MDN M 5	-	P A King	60kg	Y		-	2.0L	-	$1.00f	63	$0	-	1. Changeyourstars 2. Grandala 3. Raise Your Wings
63 Day Spell
3rd of 11	8/12/24	Tattersalls P2p	4828m	P2P MDN M 4	-	P A King	60kg	Soft		-	2.6L	-	$1.00	-	$0	-	1. Lisnamurrican 2. Oldschool Outlaw 3. Changeyourstars

Race Review Abbreviations

3WNC: Three wide no cover, Awk: Awkwardly away, Bk: Back, Blkd: Blocked, Btld: Battled, Chal: Challenged, Chkd: Checked, Cvr: Cover, Fdd: Faded, Fght: Fought, Fin: Finish, Hdd: Headed, Hld up: Held up, Hmprd: Hampered, Hndy: Handy, Kikd: Kicked, Kn: Keen, Ld: Led/Lead, Midf: Midfield, Mod pc: Moderate pace, Otf: On the Fence, ROS: Ran on strongly, Slow: Slow away, Snagd: Snagged, Stld: Settled, Tn: Turn, Trld: Trailed, Under pres: Under pressure, Under rd: Under riding, Urgd: Urged, Wd: Wide, Wdr: Wider, Weavd: Weaved, Wknd: Weakened, Wrkd: Worked

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