Horse profile
Difficult Decision (IRE)
by Pointilliste (USA) out of Good Thyne Lisa (IRE) (Good Thyne)
37 runs · 14 courses · from Apr 2018
As at 18 Oct 2026 · KTB archive: GB, Ireland & France · 2005–present, updated daily
4 wins · Limerick, Thurles & Clonmel
Ran 74 days ago
Last raced off OR 92
KTB Profile
Difficult Decision is a 4 from 37 gelding with wins at Limerick, Thurles and Clonmel. All four successes came in handicaps on heavy ground, two over 2m5f – 3m and two over 2m1f – 2m4f. He has not won since Dec 2022. His last run, at Roscommon in Aug 2026, was off an official rating of 92, 21lb below his highest ever mark.
Based on 37 archived runs · run-style from 6 commented runs · updated 18 Oct 2026
KTB at a glance
OR ↓ 21lb off peak
- 4–37Wins / Runs
- 10.8%Strike rate
- 9 (24.3%)Placed
- +8.00£1 level staken=37 at SP
- 1.70Fair A/E n=37 · 1.34 incl. margin
- 113Highest OR
- 84dAvg between runs
A/E compares actual wins with what starting prices implied. "Fair" strips the bookmaker margin from the expectation, so favourites and longshots are judged on the same footing — figures near 1.00 mean the market priced this horse about right.
Official rating92↓ 21lb off peak
92
92–113
KTB Speed and Rating
KTB Speed
Best recent Speed 122
How fast the horse ran, as points against the day-corrected standard time for its course and distance: 100 is the median GB Class 4 handicap winner on that code; one point is 0.1% of the standard time. A, B or C is how much the day's card could tell us, not how good the run was. What this means →
Jumps
| Going | Runs | Best | Median | Since 18 Oct 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Soft | 10 | 113B | 87.5 | — |
| Heavy | 8 | 122A | 95.5 | 4 · 122 / 101 |
| Good | 5 | 109B | 90 | 1 · — |
| Good to Soft | 1 | — | — | 1 · — |
| Distance | Runs | Best | Median | Since 18 Oct 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2m5f – 3m | 13 | 122A | 91 | 5 · 122 / 90 |
| 2m1f – 2m4f | 9 | 113B | 80 | — |
| Over 3m | 1 | — | — | 1 · — |
| 1m5f – 2m | 1 | — | — | — |
Of 37 runs looked at, 13 have no figure: did not complete (7) · obstacles omitted — the race ran a shortened course (4) · not enough races on the card to set the day (under 4) (2).
KTB Speed v1 · batch 15 Sep 2026 · GB & Irish racing only · 24 figures from 37 runs · as at 3 Oct 2026 · a record, not a forecast
Both figures are KTB's own, computed from the archive; no vendor rating enters either. Every run's figure is on its form line below with its grade. Grades measure how much the archive could see, never the merit of the run.
Run style from 6 analysed runs
- Midfield 3 (50%) · 0 wins
- Prominent 2 (33%) · 0 wins
- Led 1 (17%) · 0 wins
Pedigree intelligence
Sire
Progeny in our archive have won 10.3% of 39 runs since Jan 2008 (2 horses).
| Going | Runs | Wins | SR | vs sire | This horse |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Good | 5 | 0 | 0% | −10.3 | 0 from 5 |
| Good to Soft | 3 | 0 | 0% | −10.3 | 0 from 2 |
| Soft | 17 | 1 | 5.9% | −4.4 | 1 from 16 |
| Heavy | 14 | 3 | 21.4% | +11.1 | 3 from 14 |
| Distance (all codes) | Runs | Wins | SR | vs sire | This horse |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1m5f – 2m | 2 | 0 | 0% | −10.3 | 0 from 2 |
| 2m1f – 2m4f | 12 | 2 | 16.7% | +6.4 | 2 from 11 |
| 2m5f – 3m | 22 | 2 | 9.1% | −1.2 | 2 from 21 |
| Over 3m | 3 | 0 | 0% | −10.3 | 0 from 3 |
Flat and jumps together (all codes) · since Jan 2008 · as at 18 Oct 2026 · rows under 30 runs muted · win % is the measure, a record not a forecast
Dam
Good Thyne Lisa (IRE) (Good Thyne)
2 siblings in the archive, 0 winners.
| Produce | Runs | Wins | Win trips | Best grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monarch O The Glen (IRE) | 2 | 0 | — | — |
| Windgap Warrior (IRE) | 4 | 0 | — | — |
Record by conditions
| Going | Runs | Wins | SR | £1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Soft | 16 | 1 | 6% | −5.00 |
| Heavy | 14 | 3 | 21% | +20.00 |
| Good | 5 | 0 | 0% | −5.00 |
| Good to Soft | 2 | 0 | 0% | −2.00 |
| Course | Runs | Wins | SR | £1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Punchestown | 8 | 0 | 0% | −8.00 |
| Limerick | 5 | 2 | 40% | +12.00 |
| Thurles | 5 | 1 | 20% | +6.00 |
| Navan | 4 | 0 | 0% | −4.00 |
| Fairyhouse | 4 | 0 | 0% | −4.00 |
| Naas | 2 | 0 | 0% | −2.00 |
| Clonmel | 2 | 1 | 50% | +15.00 |
| Roscommon (IRE) | 1 | 0 | 0% | −1.00 |
| Downpatrick | 1 | 0 | 0% | −1.00 |
| Kilbeggan | 1 | 0 | 0% | −1.00 |
| Listowel | 1 | 0 | 0% | −1.00 |
| Leopardstown | 1 | 0 | 0% | −1.00 |
| Tipperary | 1 | 0 | 0% | −1.00 |
| Ballinrobe | 1 | 0 | 0% | −1.00 |
| Distance | Runs | Wins | SR | £1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2m5f – 3m | 21 | 2 | 10% | −4.00 |
| 2m1f – 2m4f | 11 | 2 | 18% | +17.00 |
| Over 3m | 3 | 0 | 0% | −3.00 |
| 1m5f – 2m | 2 | 0 | 0% | −2.00 |
| Jockey | Runs | Wins | SR | £1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barry Browne | 16 | 2 | 13% | +7.00 |
| Phillip Enright | 11 | 2 | 18% | +11.00 |
| James Duggan | 4 | 0 | 0% | −4.00 |
| Shane Fitzgerald | 2 | 0 | 0% | −2.00 |
| Mr J C Barry | 1 | 0 | 0% | −1.00 |
| Richard Condon | 1 | 0 | 0% | −1.00 |
| Liam McKenna | 1 | 0 | 0% | −1.00 |
| Gavin Brouder | 1 | 0 | 0% | −1.00 |
| Headgear | Runs | Wins | SR | £1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tongue tie + cheekpieces | 17 | 2 | 12% | +5.00 |
| None | 10 | 2 | 20% | +13.00 |
| Tongue tie + blinkers | 3 | 0 | 0% | −3.00 |
| Cheekpieces | 3 | 0 | 0% | −3.00 |
| Tongue tie | 3 | 0 | 0% | −3.00 |
| Blinkers | 1 | 0 | 0% | −1.00 |
| Season | Runs | Wins | SR | £1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 6 | 0 | 0% | −6.00 |
| 2025 | 2 | 0 | 0% | −2.00 |
| 2023 | 3 | 0 | 0% | −3.00 |
| 2022 | 10 | 2 | 20% | +12.00 |
| 2021 | 8 | 0 | 0% | −8.00 |
| 2020 | 5 | 2 | 40% | +18.00 |
| 2018 | 3 | 0 | 0% | −3.00 |
| Type | Runs | Wins | SR | £1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hurdle | 20 | 2 | 10% | +3.00 |
| Chase | 17 | 2 | 12% | +5.00 |
Splits include every sample, however small — muted rows are under 3 runs. A one-from-one record is a fact, not a trend: read the Runs column before the strike rate.
Form
| Date | Course | Race | Pos | Btn | Wgt | OR | Spd | KTB | Jockey | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 04 Aug 26+59d | Roscommon (IRE) | Campbell's Bar Ballinlough Handicap Steeplechase Settled midfield early - stumbled at the 2nd - held sixth spot at halfway - lost ground rapidly approaching 5 out - driven on but blundered at 4 out - dropped away and pulled up after 3 out | PU/16 | — | 11-1 | 92 | — | — | James Duggan | 16/1 |
| 06 Jun 26+29d | Punchestown | Ladbrokes 'Get More With Racing Bet Builder' Handicap Chase Set the pace early - lost the advantage after a small error at the 3rd - settled second - regained control approaching 2 out - overtaken soon after - held third and found nothing near the last - dropped away to finish 5th | 5/16 | 1¾ | 10-1 | 92 | 94B | 101A | James Duggan | 14/1 |
| 08 May 26+57d | Downpatrick | Remembering Caughoo Handicap Chase (0-100) Settled around midfield early - up in 4th at halfway - dropped to 7th and driven on after three out - checked and shifted left before last then found some late response to finish fourth | 4/11 | 1½ | 11-3 | 96 | 90A | 97A | James Duggan | 16/1 |
| 12 Mar 26+8d | Limerick | Party Time Handicap Chase (0-100) Went to front early - jumped awkwardly first - shared command from 6th - lost command after three out - pushed along in 4th before turning in - faded from there to finish sixth | 6/16 | 6½ | 11-7 | 100 | 67C | 101C | James Duggan | 25/1 |
| 04 Mar 26+51d | Naas | Flat Is Back At Naas Sunday 22nd March Claiming Hurdle Sat handy in second early - held a modest third from the 5th and still there 4 out - pressed on into distant third 2 out but unable to close - dropped to 4th inside the final furlong | 4/6 | 2¼ | 10-8 | 92 | 122A | 101B | Phillip Enright | 8/1 |
| 12 Jan 26+16d | Punchestown | Matchbook Betting Exchange Handicap Hurdle Sat close to the pace early - 4th at halfway then 5th and driven approaching 2 out - held no more in the run to the line finishing seventh | 7/16 | 9 | 10-11 | 94 | 115B | 102A | Phillip Enright | 16/1 |
| 27 Dec 25+16d | Limerick | Tim & Martin Molony Veterans Handicap Chase Held a midfield spot early - blundered 6 out - driven up but slipped back approaching the straight - stayed on steadily for 6th | 6/12 | 2½ | 10-13 | 104 | — | 110A | Phillip Enright | 9/2 |
| 11 Dec 25+839d | Punchestown | Matchbook Best Odds On Festive Racing Handicap Hurdle (0-100) (Div 1) Settled handy early - improved into 5th then 3rd approaching straight - dropped back before last - rallied to hold 4th late but couldn't find more | 4/15 | 3¾ | 11-9 | 94 | 87B | 116A | Phillip Enright | 66/1 |
| 25 Aug 23+174d | Kilbeggan | Follow Kilbeggan On Facebook Handicap Chase | PU/13 | — | 10-12 | 113 | — | — | Phillip Enright | 40/1 |
| 04 Mar 23+38d | Navan | Navan Members Veterans Handicap Chase | PU/12 | — | 10-5 | 113 | — | — | Phillip Enright | 4/1 |
| 25 Jan 23+27d | Fairyhouse | Follow Fairyhouse On Social Media Handicap Chase (0-116) | 3/8 | 12 | 11-12 | 113 | — | 117B | Phillip Enright | 9/2 |
| 29 Dec 22+35d | Limerick | Limerick Racecourse Vets Novice Handicap Chase (0-109) | 1/16 | 11-8 | 103 | — | 127B | Phillip Enright | 10/1 | |
| 24 Nov 22+12d | Thurles | Racing Again Next Thursday Handicap Chase | 10/14 | 1¾ | 11-1 | 103 | — | 98C | Phillip Enright | 10/3 |
| 12 Nov 22+9d | Naas | Sign Up Today To GavinLynchRacing.com Novice Handicap Chase (0-116) | 4/15 | 3½ | 11-1 | 103 | 70B | 113A | Phillip Enright | 7/1 |
| 03 Nov 22+22d | Thurles | Littleton Handicap Chase | 1/15 | 11-3 | 98 | — | 128A | Phillip Enright | 10/1 | |
| 12 Oct 22+19d | Punchestown | Visit The New Punchestown.com (Q.R.) Handicap Chase | 9/13 | 2¼ | 11-7 | 101 | 91B | 99A | Mr J C Barry | 25/1 |
| 23 Sep 22+188d | Listowel | Paud, Sarah & Mary Fitzmaurice Memorial Handicap Chase (0-109) | 10/16 | 4¾ | 11-3 | 103 | 74C | 90C | Richard Condon | 25/1 |
| 19 Mar 22+14d | Thurles | Jimmy Neville Memorial Handicap Hurdle (80-109) | 6/17 | 2¼ | 11-11 | 105 | 109B | 119A | Barry Browne | 17/2 |
| 05 Mar 22+24d | Navan | P.S. Supplies Doors & Floors Handicap Hurdle | 3/13 | 3¾ | 11-3 | 104 | 112B | 117A | Barry Browne | 20/1 |
| 09 Feb 22+24d | Fairyhouse | Support Irish Injured Jockeys Handicap Hurdle (80-109) | 7/16 | ½ | 11-5 | 105 | 100B | 113A | Shane Fitzgerald | 12/1 |
| 16 Jan 22+19d | Punchestown | Sporting Life Beginners Chase | 2/12 | ¾ | 11-9 | 110 | 84B | 116A | Shane Fitzgerald | 40/1 |
| 28 Dec 21+26d | Limerick | Parkway Shopping Centre Handicap Hurdle | PU/18 | — | 11-4 | 107 | — | — | Barry Browne | 20/1 |
| 02 Dec 21+7d | Clonmel | Clonmel Racecourse Supporters Club Beginners Chase | PU/15 | — | 12-0 | 110 | — | — | Barry Browne | 40/1 |
| 25 Nov 21+211d | Thurles | Betvictor Beginners Chase | 7/8 | 16 | 12-0 | 110 | 80C | 103C | Barry Browne | 40/1 |
| 28 Apr 21+39d | Punchestown | Adare Manor Opportunity Series Final Handicap Hurdle (95-123) | PU/25 | — | 11-0 | 109 | — | — | Barry Browne | 25/1 |
| 20 Mar 21+14d | Thurles | Leugh Handicap Hurdle (80-109) | 2/16 | 2½ | 11-10 | 107 | 110B | 130A | Barry Browne | 17/2 |
| 06 Mar 21+20d | Navan | Athboy Handicap Hurdle | 6/19 | hd | 10-12 | 107 | 113B | 113A | Barry Browne | 16/1 |
| 14 Feb 21+6d | Punchestown | David Trundley Artist At Punchestown Handicap Hurdle | 5/14 | 13 | 11-3 | 109 | 91C | 98C | Barry Browne | 14/1 |
| 08 Feb 21+42d | Fairyhouse | Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Hurdle (80-116) | 8/13 | 5 | 11-8 | 110 | 111B | 100A | Barry Browne | 9/1 |
| 28 Dec 20+20d | Leopardstown | Irish Daily Star Christmas Handicap Hurdle (80-116) | 3/20 | 22 | 11-1 | 110 | 55B | 104A | Liam McKenna | 16/1 |
| 08 Dec 20+296d | Punchestown | Buy Irish Love Green Handicap Hurdle | 11/18 | ¾ | 10-4 | 110 | — | 87C | Gavin Brouder | 11/1 |
| 16 Feb 20+17d | Navan | Navanracecourse.ie Handicap Hurdle | PU/15 | — | 10-13 | 110 | — | — | Barry Browne | 9/2 |
| 30 Jan 20+21d | Limerick | Enjoy Your Sports & Social Day Out At Limerick Racecourse Handicap Hurdle (80-102) | 1/13 | 11-6 | 101 | 104B | 122A | Barry Browne | 5/1 | |
| 09 Jan 20+609d | Clonmel | Tipperary Handicap Hurdle (80-102) | 1/16 | 10-11 | 92 | 83B | 116A | Barry Browne | 16/1 | |
| 10 May 18+9d | Tipperary | Hotel Minella Maiden Hurdle | 8/20 | 6½ | 10-13 | — | 56C | 87C | Barry Browne | 66/1 |
| 01 May 18+12d | Ballinrobe | Costello & Mcdermott Maiden Hurdle | 3/6 | 18 | 10-13 | — | 67B | 94B | Barry Browne | 33/1 |
| 19 Apr 18 | Fairyhouse | Adare Manor Opportunity Maiden Hurdle | 9/11 | 12 | 11-10 | — | 44C | 96C | Barry Browne | 16/1 |
Quick answers
- How many races has Difficult Decision (IRE) won?
- Difficult Decision (IRE) won 4 of 37 archived starts between 2018 and 2026, a strike rate of 10.8%. Placed 9 times in total (24.3% of starts).
- Who trains Difficult Decision (IRE)?
- Difficult Decision (IRE) is trained by Oliver McKiernan, who saddled the horse on its most recent run on 4 August 2026.
- Who is Difficult Decision (IRE)'s sire?
- Difficult Decision (IRE) is by Pointilliste (USA) out of Good Thyne Lisa (IRE), whose sire is Good Thyne.
- What going does Difficult Decision (IRE) prefer?
- Difficult Decision (IRE) has the best record on heavy going: 3 wins from 14 starts (21.4%). Only going bands with at least three archived starts are read, so this is a direction rather than a settled preference.
- What is Difficult Decision (IRE)'s official rating?
- The most recent official rating on record is 92, from the run on 4 August 2026. The highest on record is 113.
- What is Difficult Decision (IRE)'s sire's record?
- Pointilliste (USA)'s progeny in our archive have won 10.3% of 39 runs since Jan 2008 (2 horses), Flat and jumps together.
- Who are Difficult Decision (IRE)'s siblings?
- Out of Good Thyne Lisa (IRE), Difficult Decision (IRE) has 2 other produce in our archive, 0 of them winners. As at Oct 2026.