14:30 Downpatrick

Sunday 17 June 2018

All14:3015:0015:3016:0016:3017:0017:30

Bet Now With The Ladbrokes App Maiden Hurdle

Off time: 14:30 | Winning time: 4m 34.5s

First Class Ticket²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: B J Cooper| T: A McNamara| OR: 108

10/3

Placed on two occasions on the ground at Sligo and when third of seven here in August. Better run than last time at Tipperary expected dropped in trip.

Form: 3/423-25

Hillary John²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: G Sheehan| T: B R Hamilton

8/1

Winner of a 3m point-to-point last month but will have to raise things another notch to play a role here.

Form: P4/1

Monsieur Bagot²⁷⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Simon Torrens⁽⁷⁾| T: Christian Delcros

100/1

Robin Des Pres gelding purchased for €32,000 as a three-year-old in June 2015. Full-brother to dual chase winner Nomoreblackjack. Well held on debut when last seen in September and plenty to find here.

Form: 7-

Sir Benford Wales^t²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: D F O'Regan| T: H De Bromhead

9/2

Failed to build on promising maiden hurdle debut at Gowran Park when weakening markedly on return to the track last month when possibly needing the run. Will look to improve here.

Form: 2/0

Smooth Spoon¹⁴⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: G N Fox| T: R W T Brabazon

40/1

Modest performer in 2016 and not much better on return to the track at Navan in January. Hard to construct much of a case for the gelding here.

Form: PF3/P-

Touch Base⁴⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Mark Walsh| T: G Elliott| OR: 105| BF

11/4

Solid and robust in two starts in April and when second of six behind the useful Hugo 'N Taz in a Ballinrobe maiden hurdle last month. Can be expected to go well for yard who like a winner at this track.

Form: 03-2

Askyourmammy^b,h¹²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: B Browne⁽⁵⁾| T: N G Hynds

14/1

Improvement between first and second maiden hurdle starts last month but blotted the copy-book when only getting as far as the first in a Kilbeggan maiden hurdle earlier this month. Looks opposable.

Form: 334/74F

Shoulda Lied²⁵⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 11-5| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| BF

4/1

61-rated Flat handicapper who was put in to the care of his trainer from an early age and will be expected to be well prepped on debut here.

Form:

The Famousmaverick

Age: 4| Weight: 11-5| J: T Ryan⁽⁷⁾| T: L P Cusack

50/1

Fame And Glory gelding out of a Saddlers Hall mare related to game sorts Commander Of The Fleet, Kalum River and the Noel Meade-trained Young Ted. Market to reveal expectations on debut.

Form:

Uknowwhatimean³⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 11-5| J: Mr R A Devine⁽⁷⁾| T: S R B Crawford

40/1

Poor in the point-to-point ranks the market should be the best guide for the Shantou gelding out of a Presenting mare on debut in this contest.

Form: S-P

Yug²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 11-5| J: D N Russell| T: J Nash

16/1

Motivator gelding, cost €14,000 as a foal before trading for 24,000 gns as a yearling. Weakened before three out in a mistake-filled debut at Tipperary last month and plenty to prove here.

Form: 9

Non-Runners

Montauk Flyer²⁵

Weight: 11-12| Age: 5

T: D Hogan J: D G Hogan

Lady Spec²⁰

Weight: 10-12| Age: 4

T: D Hogan J: S A Mulcahy

Forecasts

Touch Base (11/4), First Class Ticket (10/3), Shoulda Lied (4/1), Sir Benford Wales (9/2), Hillary John (8/1), Montauk Flyer (12/1), Askyourmammy (14/1), Yug (16/1), Lady Spec (33/1), Uknowwhatimean (40/1), Smooth Spoon (40/1), The Famousmaverick (50/1), Monsieur Bagot (100/1)

Maiden hurdle debutante SHOULDA LIED can get the afternoon off to a good start for trainer Willie Mullins on racecourse reappearance. The Gordon Elliott-trained Touch Base has shown plenty in two starts in April and when second of six behind the useful Hugo 'N Taz in a Ballinrobe maiden hurdle last month and can improve, while First Class Ticket and Montauk Flyer deserve a little consideration.