15:15 Downpatrick

Sunday 13 August 2017

All14:1514:4515:1515:5016:2516:5517:25

Ivy Bar Newtownards Handicap Hurdle (80-95)

Off time: 15:15 | Winning time: 4m 31.0s

Bective Cave^t³³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: A E Lynch| T: M J Smith| OR: 95

7/1

Won a brace at Roscommon earlier in the campaign but up 15lb and has a bit to prove after a moderate display last time out. Also a slight query over the suitability of this trip is off-putting for the top weight.

Form: 46-5110

Ciaoifsin³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: J P O'Sullivan⁽⁷⁾| T: J P Fahey| OR: 93

8/1

Recent form has a few too many holds to be forwarded as leading contender just now. 0-from-7 over hurdles and others make more appeal.

Form: 75-4740

Persian Wind^p,t²⁹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: L P Dempsey| T: J P Dempsey| OR: 92

13/2

Just 1lb higher than his last winning mark and has gone well fresh in the past, so worth a check in the betting. Has gone well over C&D in the past is also a bonus.

Form: 317056-

Rapid Fritz^t³³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: C D Maxwell| T: J G Carr| OR: 91

9/1

Placed on final two starts for Gerard Keane including when 3L second of 16 at Ballinrobe (good) in May, before eighth of 18, beaten 17L on stable debut in Roscommon extended 2m handicap hurdle and now has a bit to prove.

Form: 286-328

Bell Of The Ball²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: B Browne⁽⁷⁾| T: L Lennon| OR: 88| CD

6/1

Mixing it under both codes and back at the scene of her latest success in a mares only race. This doesn't look much tougher, and from just a 5lb higher mark, she makes the shortlist as leading contender once more.

Form: 223-701

Island Villa¹⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: Brian Hayes| T: P McCreery| OR: 86

10/1

Hinted at being back to his best on first two outings for his new yard but reverted to type too readily for comfort at Limerick last time out. Very well handicapped on the pick of his old form but lacks consistency and hard to recommend with any confidence.

Form: 400-439

King Of Aran²¹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-1| J: Danny Mullins| T: M C Grassick| OR: 84| C

7/1

Won over C&D but that was back in 2011 and he has been expensive to follow since then. Significant rain would help his cause but hard to see the 10-year-old improving these days.

Form: 5219/0-4

Canova^p,t¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: E M Roche⁽⁷⁾| T: G Elliott| OR: 81

20/1

A long standing maiden and form this season uninspiring. Goes well at this course but others preferred.

Form: 009497

Eight And Bob^b,t⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: R Loughran| T: P D Deegan| OR: 81

11/1

Plenty of experience on the Flat but still room for improvement over Jumps. Needs to greatly improve on last week's handicap debut though and probably best watched.

Form: 008-0

Eric The Third²²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: A Ring⁽³⁾| T: P J Rothwell| OR: 81

10/1

Enjoyed a short purple patch last winter and would have decent claims if able to reproduce the sort of form that saw him land a quick-fire double at Kilbeggan and Tramore. Yet to race at this course and has never won beyond the minimum trip though.

Form: 074-089

Freedom Square^t⁴⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: S P Kelly⁽⁷⁾| T: M M McNiff| OR: 81

5/1

Sound claims on the pick of his form and makes his debut for a respected yard; so worth noting for signs of support. May be one to keep tabs on whatever happens here.

Form: 4P5-80P

Non-Runners

Toor General²¹

Weight: 11-5| Age: 6

T: A J Martin J: Donagh Meyler

Aurora's Dream³¹

Weight: 10-12| Age: 7

T: G Keane J: M P Flanagan

Forecasts

Freedom Square (5/1), Toor General (5/1), Bell Of The Ball (6/1), Persian Wind (13/2), King Of Aran (7/1), Bective Cave (7/1), Aurora's Dream (7/1), Ciaoifsin (8/1), Rapid Fritz (9/1), Eric The Third (10/1), Island Villa (10/1), Eight And Bob (11/1), Canova (20/1)

A chance is taken that BELL OF THE BALL has a bit more to offer and she gets the nod to add to her tally. Support for either Persian Wind and Freedom Square would be dangerous to ignore and make plenty of appeal as each-way options, while last year's winner Aurora's Dream comes here after a similar build up and is also worth a check in the betting.