15:25 Downpatrick

Friday 13 October 2017

All14:1514:5015:2516:0016:3517:1017:40

MB McGrady & Co, Accountants Handicap Hurdle (80-95)

Off time: 15:27 | Winning time: 5m 50.60s

Barneymac^p²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: K J Brouder⁽⁷⁾| T: E Sheehy| OR: 92

25/1

No chance when falling in a maiden hurdle last time and two previous attempts over timber were not encouraging. Seems to have his fair share of weight for what he has achieved.

Form: 083F

Celtic Monarch^p1²²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: S P Kelly⁽⁷⁾| T: M M McNiff| OR: 91

20/1

Moderate strike rate of 2-28 over hurdles and recent runs have not been encouraging. Inching down the weights and may be able to stage a revival in first-time cheekpieces.

Form: 003F06

Cottonvale²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: B J Foley⁽⁵⁾| T: E Doyle| OR: 91| BF

8/1

Joint favourite when third over C&D last time and runs off the same mark. Seems to be getting his act together and can get involved.

Form: 000563

Uptake^p²⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-11| J: D J Hand⁽⁷⁾| T: D A McLoughlin| OR: 91| D

9/1

Won a 2m6f handicap at Down Royal two starts ago and not disgraced when seventh of 22 at Navan last time off 6lb higher. Same mark again so has plenty to do.

Form: 528017

Poormans Hill¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 87| C

4/9

Has won two races over fences since joining current yard which now tries to exploit a 19lb lower mark over timber. Looks a rejuvenated character and could be seriously well treated.

Form: 840411

Novo Dawn¹⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: A E Lynch| T: S R B Crawford| OR: 85

20/1

Winning point-to-pointer who has been placed in a couple of hurdles. Beaten a long way when third at Perth last time and needs to find extra.

Form: 993523

Quelle Belle Vie²³³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: P D Kennedy⁽³⁾| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 85| CD

16/1

Only one win from 15 starts over hurdles and not much encouragement in two runs since joining her leading yard. Best watched until she shows more.

Form: 40469P-

Dry Run^p1,t²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: D J McInerney⁽⁷⁾| T: Yvonne Latta| OR: 83

33/1

Unplaced and well beaten in five runs over hurdles. Connections reach for cheekpieces and they will need to have a dramatic effect.

Form: 000-60

In A Pinch¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: J J Slevin⁽³⁾| T: S Slevin| OR: 85

33/1

Beaten a long way in three maiden hurdles. Goes handicapping for the first time, but the evidence so far suggests she has plenty on her plate.

Form: 97500

Mystic Embarr^p⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: B Browne⁽⁷⁾| T: D Broad| OR: 80

33/1

Out of the frame and beaten a long way in all seven starts over hurdles. Beaten over 20L off 1lb higher last time and is difficult to fancy.

Form: 0-06699

Phantasmo^t¹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Danny Mullins| T: J P Ryan| OR: 80

14/1

Seemed to appreciate the step up to 3m when third of 14 at Tipperary. Handicap mark is unchanged, but the slight drop back in trip is unlikely to suit.

Form: 499F53

Sir Vincent³⁶

Age: 14| Weight: 11-0| J: Kevin Sexton| T: H Beggs| OR: 80

50/1

Last two starts have seen him pulled up and, the age of 14, his best days are clearly behind him. Readily opposed.

Form: 1/P9-0PP

Grallagh^p1,t⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 10-11| J: L P Dempsey| T: J P Dempsey| OR: 82

20/1

Produced her best run in four starts over hurdles when third of 11 at Tramore in a first-time tongue tie. The tie is retained and cheekpieces are fitted for the first time, so it will be interesting to see how she reacts. Possibilities.

Form: 008F3

Non-Runners

Megara¹

Weight: 11-5| Age: 5

T: P J Rothwell J: J P O'Sullivan

Forecasts

Poormans Hill (4/9), Cottonvale (8/1), Uptake (9/1), Megara (10/1), Phantasmo (14/1), Quelle Belle Vie (16/1), Novo Dawn (20/1), Celtic Monarch (20/1), Grallagh (20/1), Barneymac (25/1), Dry Run (33/1), In A Pinch (33/1), Mystic Embarr (33/1), Sir Vincent (50/1)

Bottom weight Grallagh showed signs of life last time and could be interesting in cheekpieces on her first run in a handicap. Megara shaped better at Clonmel and could be thereabouts, while Cottonvale has C&D form to his name and is also respected. However, POORMANS HILL has looked a rejuvenated character in two wins over fences and, if he can show the same level of form over hurdles off a much lower mark, he is going to take plenty of beating.