14:00 Downpatrick

Saturday 17 June 2017

All14:0014:3015:0515:4016:1516:5017:25

Balloo Maiden Hurdle

Off time: 14:01 | Winning time: 4m 36.0s

Ajabindejaw¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: D E Browne⁽⁷⁾| T: T Gibney

25/1

Better effort at Kilbeggan last time when a staying-on fourth to Treasure Chest. Step up in trip here likely to suit, but does have a bit to find to challenge the principals.

Form: P0-4

Atlantic Breaker^b²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: P D Kennedy⁽³⁾| T: M M McNiff| OR: 105| BF

11/2

Two solid efforts over this C&D lately although looked a little one-paced when third here last time out (made favourite). This looks another suitable opportunity, with conditions ideal again, and he must be on the shortlist.

Form: 435P-23

Basilisk²⁴⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: J J Slevin⁽⁵⁾| T: J P O'Brien

33/1

Yard going well and although he finished last on his only start to date (a bumper) the switch to hurdles may see him in a different light. Market the best guide as to chances.

Form: 5-

Canny Tom^t¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Keith Donoghue| T: G Elliott| OR: 99

7/1

Some solid efforts in low-grade handicaps lately and might have gone close over this C&D in May but for falling two from home. Reproduction of that gives him chances of hitting the places, but may find others stronger for the win.

Form: 2320-F4

Gleesons Tipp⁴⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Sean Flanagan| T: N Meade| BF

12/1

Plenty of promise in a Fairyhouse hurdle last October but then beaten at odds-on and again when made favourite at Ballinrobe last time (both bumper events). Switch back to hurdles looks a positive move and big chance if finding that debut form again.

Form: 22-7

Great Khan¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: A E Lynch| T: E J O'Grady| BF

3/1

Has hit the frame on all of his last three starts, and his second to the useful Art Of Synergy here in May a very good effort. Not quite so good last time but still a solid run in the context of this race and with conditions to suit, should go close.

Form: 3/382-23

Linkup⁵⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: R Loughran| T: G Keane

66/1

Well beaten in both point-to-points and hurdles and simply looks to have too much on here.

Form: 05/F34F-

Morpurgo⁷²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: B T O'Connell| T: J R Finn

66/1

Hasn't shown much in three starts on the Flat and needs the switch of codes to have a major impact. Others preferred.

Form:

Oath Breaker^p,t⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: J S McGarvey| T: J P O'Brien

20/1

Some promise in a maiden hurdle at Tramore in early June but didn't really build on that next time when fourth at Clonmel and probably needs another step forward here. On the plus side, yard is in form and step up in trip likely to suit.

Form: P5-0B34

Sea Bank^t²²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Rachael Blackmore⁽³⁾| T: H Rogers

25/1

Brought down early at Down Royal last time but previous second to Delta Work at Punchestown was a major step forward on his Flat form. Upped in trip here, so that asks a new question, but can't be ruled out.

Form: 070/2B

Sharps Choice²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Ruby Walsh| T: W P Mullins| BF

5/4

Looked desperately unlucky to lose at Punchestown last time, looking to have the race won when tack came loose and he unshipped his rider at the last. Obvious chance of gaining compensation but does have a bit of ground to make up on Great Khan on previous start.

Form: 3247-3U

A Touch Of Sparkle¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: P E Corbett⁽³⁾| T: S R B Crawford| OR: 87

25/1

Only moderate form to date and weakened quickly at Cartmel last time out. Looks one more for handicaps further down the line.

Form: S3P43-4

Boytonrath²⁷⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Brian Hayes| T: G Elliott

66/1

Some promise on debut at Ballinrobe last time but seems to have gone backwards since then, and can't really be looked at as the likely winner.

Form: 5687P-

Hannah Huxwell²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: B R Dalton| T: H Smyth

66/1

Has done a little better on last couple of starts without ever threatening the leaders. May find this too tough, and others hold better claims.

Form: 0800-66

Scotch Quay¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 11-5| J: A Ring⁽³⁾| T: E Griffin

100/1

Has shown only a modicum of promise in two starts over hurdles and makes little appeal for win purposes here.

Form: P-808

Non-Runners

Storm Racer³³

Weight: 11-12| Age: 5

T: H De Bromhead J: Reserve 1

Thecraicisninety¹⁸

Weight: 11-12| Age: 6

T: C Roche J: Reserve 2

Dubai Flyer²⁹

Weight: 11-5| Age: 4

T: N C Kelly J: Reserve 3

Forecasts

Sharps Choice (5/4), Great Khan (3/1), Atlantic Breaker (11/2), Canny Tom (7/1), Gleesons Tipp (12/1), Thecraicisninety (12/1), Storm Racer (16/1), Oath Breaker (20/1), A Touch Of Sparkle (25/1), Sea Bank (25/1), Ajabindejaw (25/1), Basilisk (33/1), Boytonrath (66/1), Linkup (66/1), Morpurgo (66/1), Hannah Huxwell (66/1), Dubai Flyer (66/1), Scotch Quay (100/1)

The unlucky Sharps Choice has a great chance to put things right here but GREAT KHAN would hold a similar chance on their Kilbeggan form and can confirm it here. Atlantic Breaker is running with consistency and can get in the money. Canny Tom and Basilisk are others to consider.

Balloo Maiden Hurdle

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Balloo Maiden Hurdle

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