19:20 Down Royal
Friday 23 June 2017
All17:4518:1518:5019:2019:5520:3021:00
Sean Graham Bookmakers Handicap Hurdle (80-102)
- 4YO plus  |  2m 4f  |  Good (Good to Firm in places)  |  20 Runners  |  Turf  |   Weighed In
- Off time: 19:20Â Â |Â Â Winning time: 4m 51.0s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Raced over fences in the main during the winter months, but well beaten switched back to hurdles at Ballinrobe (2m4f) last month, so more needed.
14 race maiden, but placed on two of his five career starts over hurdles. Beaten by Fiesole over 2m here last month, he appeared to stay this trip when third to Snugsborough Hill at Punchestown just three weeks later. Up another 2lb but considered.
14 race maiden, and appeared to need every yard of the 3m trip at Punchestown last month, so surprising to see him drop back to 2m4f. However, has run well at this track in the past.
Point-to-Point winner who has mixed hurdling with fencing under rules, and despite regularly running well has just failed to get his head in front. Possibly a shade vulnerable ground wise if the track misses any showers.
Seemingly regressive since a fair effort at Navan in September 2016, but falling in the weights and might have needed the race at Ballinrobe last month (first start since late December).
Stablemate of Presenting Beara, and makes his debut for this trainer after switching from Sandra Hughes. Finished a good fourth on his final start for his previous trainer at Punchestown (3m good) last month.
Back to form with a neck second to Curragh Clown over fences here last month, but disappointing back over hurdles at Downpatrick latest. Long in the tooth and probably lacks the speed for hurdling these days.
Unsurprisingly hasn't returned from a two year break in the sort of form that saw him finish third over 3m at this track in May 2015 for Robert Hennessy. A watching brief needed until he shows more.
Hasn't won over hurdles since August 2015 (Tramore maiden), but raced over fences most latterly, winning at Thurles in October. Might have needed his most recent couple of outings after a break, but others look stronger.
Not hindered by the lengthy break when going down to Just Janice at Clonmel (2m4f) a couple of weeks ago. Now a runner up on each of his last two starts, he's inching up the weights, but holds an obvious winning chance.
Yet to taste success in seven attempts over hurdles, but shaped as if this trip would suit when 9L third to Sharjah over 2m at Tramore earlier in the month. Won on the Flat in England for Ed Walker, so is capable enough.
An eight race maiden who hasn't shown much improvement since switched to handicaps, and was pulled up at Wexford earlier in the month.
Veteran who ploughed through heavy ground to win over 2m4f at Roscommon in October 2016, but has raced just once since when well beaten at Fairyhouse in January. This ground probably unhelpful.
Raised 3lb for a fine showing when going down in a driving finish to Station Closed over a slightly shorter trip at this track last month. That was a marked step up on his recent AW form, but has claims having also gone well at this tricky circuit in the past.
Zero from nine under rules, and comfortably held by Authorative on previous form here last month. Might do better in handicaps over time (not fully exposed in this grade).
Back-peddled since taking a 2m4f handicap hurdle at Fairyhouse in April 2016 (soft to heavy), and whilst now only 4lb above that winning mark, he's been pulled up the past twice, and this ground will be quick enough.
Keeping on well close home and showing improvement for the switch to handicaps when fourth to Swift at Listowel (2m4f yielding) earlier in the month. Races from the same mark, so considered assuming she handles the drying ground.
In good shape of late over hurdles, winning at Ballinrobe (2m4f good) early last month, and finishing third at Downpatrick a few days later. Not disgraced when sixth of 18 at Listowel latest, and although probably a few pounds too high in the weights should run his race.
Nothing to show in four starts over hurdles during 2017. Probably better now switched to handicaps, but needs to be on all known form.
First Reserve - A four race rules maiden, and finished five places behind Triolet when making his handicap debut at Punchestown last month.
Non-Runners
12
Herbiegoesbananas63
Weight: 11-1|Â Â Age: 7
T: N Lawlor  J: P D Kennedy
NR
22
Hannah Huxwell6
Weight: 10-7|Â Â Age: 6
T: H Smyth  J: Reserve 2
NR
23
Phar Island16
Weight: 10-6|Â Â Age: 6
T: T Mullins  J: Reserve 3
NR
Forecasts
Small World (5/2), Steamboat Quay (5/2), Triolet (7/1), Authorative (12/1), Grey Mountain Mist (14/1), Mezajy (14/1), Knockraha Boss (14/1), Wiiphania (16/1), Phar Island (16/1), Shouband (20/1), Presenting Beara (20/1), Coldstonesober (20/1), Playbook (20/1), Areema (20/1), Ballymadun (20/1), Forjoethepainter (20/1), Slaney Craiglegacy (25/1), William Tyndale (33/1), Uptake (33/1), Hero De Villeneuve (33/1), Phantasmo (33/1), Herbiegoesbananas (33/1), Hannah Huxwell (50/1)
A wide open contest and a real head-scratcher which is quite aptly sponsored by a bookmaking firm. Triolet is nudging up the weights, but has been operating at a reasonable level lately so comes into the reckoning alongside both Authorative and Wiiphania who showed much improved form on their respective most recent starts. However, the most interesting pair are the Gordon Elliott trained Steamboat Quay who was unhindered by a lengthy break when a runner up at Clonmel earlier in the month, and the fascinating stable switcher SMALL WORLD who showed a good deal of improvement over an admittedly longer trip when fourth to Nobody Home at Punchestown in mid-May.
- Small World
- Steamboat Quay
- Authorative
Prize Money
1st: €6,775.002nd: €2,101.003rd: €1,002.004th: €450.005th: €176.00
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