Spinningayarn can pick up threads and return to winning ways

Gordon Elliott expects much better from Spinningayarn this season

Tue, 02 Dec, 2025 - 05:23

Tommy Lyons

When last seen, Spinningayarn was tailed off, last of four in a winners’ bumper in Naas, but he can return to form with victory in the Thanks To All For Your Support in 2025 Qualified Riders’ Maiden, the fourth race on this afternoon’s card in Clonmel.

Gordon Elliott’s now five-year-old was an easy winner of his only point to point, and made an immediate impact on the track when showing fine battling qualities to win what looked like a decent bumper at Navan.

On the back of that success, he was sent off an even-money chance to follow up at Naas, but he was in trouble a long way out and eventually tailed off. However, Elliott subsequently reported his charge to have not been right and that he expects much better this season.

He has been found what looks like a great opportunity to make a winning start over timber, and it will be disappointing if he fails to deliver.

There are three potential files in the ointment – and they are the three reserves. Curiously, all three are trained by Willie Mullins, and the first of them, Boedic, would be of obvious interest if getting in. He was fourth to I’m Slippy in a sales bumper on his only start to date and is likely to make up into a smart sort.

Of those guaranteed a place in the line-up, That Danny Feeling, Minella Emperor and Parnell Street are the obvious dangers to the selection.

In the Next Race Meeting January 8 Novice Handicap Chase, One Last Tango can carry top weight to victory. Eoin Griffin’s eight-year-old was last seen contesting a handicap chase on Munster National Day in Limerick and while he could manage only fourth place behind Crowsatedappletart, it was a better effort than the form might read.

Dropped out last of all, his jumping was okay through the early stages, but he made a desperate mistake at the fence in front of the stands and did well to stay on his feet. He had plenty to do thereafter but made rapid progress to get into a challenging position in the straight before that effort petered out just a little.

Still well in relative to his hurdling mark, with a decent round of jumping, he can come out on top in this lesser race.

The feature on the card is the Jim Strang & Sons Kilsheelan (Peugeot) Hurdle and it’s a tight affair despite the small field. Franciscan Rock is bidding for back-to-back wins in the race and comes here after two satisfactory runs over fences, but preference is for Staffordshire Knot.

A shade unlucky on his return, he won a good handicap last week at Punchestown, and there ought to be more to come from him. The highest rated runner in the field, he is in receipt of weight from last year’s winner, and unless the recent run has left a mark, he will be hard to beat.

French Dynamite is also worth considering. He has been in great form since joining Eric McNamara and comes back hurdling after winning the Munster National.

CLONMEL

12:05 Justatan

12:35 Chemdawg

1:05 Staffordshire Knot

1:35 Spinningayarn (nap)

2:05 Maciver

2:35 Spanish John

3:05 One Last Tango (nb)

3:35 On Your Way

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12:05 Button Rock

12:35 No Big Deal