18:50 Downpatrick

Friday 18 May 2018

All17:4518:1518:5019:2019:5520:2520:55

Paddy Galbraith Memorial Handicap Hurdle (80-95)

Off time: 18:50 | Winning time: 5m 25.20s

McCrackens Gate⁸⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: J M Moore| T: T Gibney| OR: 95

14/1

No extra, no impression and never a factor in three maiden hurdle starts between December and February and requires a chunk of improvement to play a role in this contest.

Form: P/50670-

Crown Of Thorns²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Sean Flanagan| T: N Meade| OR: 93

11/10

Has started to show signs of promise since returning to the track last month with encouraging displays at Kilbeggan and last time out in a Punchestown handicap hurdle. Can make his presence felt.

Form: 007P-32

Balofilo²⁰¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: T N Brett⁽⁷⁾| T: Ms M Mullins| OR: 92

7/1

Will have disappointed connections in a series of below-par starts in a dour summer jumping campaign last year. Difficult to see where the improvement will come from despite running here for new yard.

Form: 538UU5-

King Of Aran¹⁶

Age: 11| Weight: 11-9| J: Danny Mullins| T: M C Grassick| OR: 92| C

14/1

Course winner when last seen in a handicap hurdle back in August beating 10 rivals 3¾L. The 8lb hike for that win may be a little tough on the veteran here..

Form: 2190/41-

Coldstonesober⁷⁰

Age: 12| Weight: 11-7| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: J R Finn| OR: 90| CD

20/1

Course winner that has also won over the distance but the veteran is clearly regressing now 22lb lower than his last winning mark. Others preferred.

Form: 420075-

Montys Angel⁹³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: P J McGrath⁽⁷⁾| T: J C McConnell| OR: 90

40/1

Maiden after 11 starts and well held on both outings over hurdles in the autumn before an 87L defeat in February in a Fairyhouse maiden hurdle. Looks a tall order on form shown.

Form: 75/744-

Touchedbyanangel⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: A E Lynch| T: A Oliver| OR: 89

16/1

Failed to figure in four outings last season and more of the same in a 45L defeat at Kilbeggan earlier this month in a weak maiden hurdle but could be worth a market check on handicap debut.

Form: 8800-8

Aquarian^p1¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-3| J: Mark Walsh| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 95

10/1

Well beaten and never a factor in four maiden hurdle starts in the last two months but a market check advised on handicap debut in first-time cheekpieces.

Form: 577-0

Folly Dat^p1⁸⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: A Ring⁽³⁾| T: R K Watson| OR: 85

50/1

Failed to win in five starts for trainer-Gordon Elliott and has generally disappointed in two starts for new yard. Hard to fancy despite first-time cheekpieces.

Form: 0430/07-

Yeats Baby²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: I J McCarthy| T: F J Flood| OR: 85

16/1

Formerly with the Martin Todhunter yard without a win in eight starts. Failed to beat any of her 10 rivals in a Fairyhouse handicap hurdle on stable debut last month. Still looks in the grip of the handicapper.

Form: 00/25F0-

Dry Run^p,t²⁰¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: D J McInerney⁽⁵⁾| T: Yvonne Latta| OR: 84

7/1

Seven-race maiden but chances if repeating his second of 13 beaten 4L behind the likable Poormans Hill here in October.

Form: 00/6027-

Grande Waltz^t¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Dillon Maxwell⁽⁷⁾| T: A McNamara| OR: 83

33/1

45-rated Flat handicapper well beaten in four poor maiden hurdle displays before a promising run on handicap debut at Kilbeggan last month.

Form: P/0P0-6

Thisonesforollie¹⁴²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 83

14/1

Well beaten and no impression in three maiden hurdle starts before a 45L defeat on handicap debut at Limerick when last seen in December.

Form: 10/7869-

Shipwreck¹⁰⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: A W Short⁽⁵⁾| T: C A McBratney| OR: 81

33/1

Has shown no real improvement since a stable switch, beaten around 32L in a handicap at Down Royal on St Stephens day before a 27L thumping at Punchestown when last seen in January. Hard to fancy.

Form: PF5000-

The Crane Man²³⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: C D Timmons⁽³⁾| T: Thomas Coyle| OR: 81

33/1

Went off 100/1 in three maiden hurdles and beaten wide margins in subsequent handicap hurdles at Bellewstown and Navan. Others preferred.

Form: 9/0080-

Non-Runners

King Christophe⁴

Weight: 11-7| Age: 6

T: R K Watson J: Reserve 1

Don't Be Hasty¹⁹⁶

Weight: 11-5| Age: 7

T: J J Lambe J: Reserve 2

Stoughan Cross¹⁷

Weight: 11-1| Age: 9

T: T Gibney J: Reserve 3

Forecasts

Crown Of Thorns (11/10), Stoughan Cross (11/2), Dry Run (7/1), Balofilo (7/1), Aquarian (10/1), King Christophe (12/1), King Of Aran (14/1), Thisonesforollie (14/1), McCrackens Gate (14/1), Touchedbyanangel (16/1), Yeats Baby (16/1), Coldstonesober (20/1), Don't Be Hasty (25/1), Shipwreck (33/1), Grande Waltz (33/1), The Crane Man (33/1), Montys Angel (40/1), Folly Dat (50/1)

The Noel Meade-trained CROWN OF THORNS can build on two encouraging displays since returning to the track last month and will appreciate the slight drop in trip here. Aquarian, who makes his handicap debut here in first-time cheekpieces and King Of Aran, winner here on last hurdle start can follow the selection home.