16:30 Downpatrick

Sunday 17 June 2018

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

Down Time Festival Rated Novice Hurdle

Off time: 16:30 | Winning time: 4m 8.0s

Golden Poet¹²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: D G Hogan| T: D Hogan| OR: 110

6/1

Would possibly won more impressively if not for pecking on landing in a Kilbeggan handicap hurdle earlier this month consequently winning by 1½L. Plenty in favour here venturing in to novice company.

Form: 0255-81

Ballybrowney Jack^t¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: J J Slevin| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 109

7/2

Stayed on well to win a Wexford maiden hurdle earlier this month over 2m. Enters calculations here braving novice company for the first time.

Form: 7643-51

Count Simon^p1¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 11-3| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott

9/4

Showed improvement on a disappointing debut in December when finishing third of 15 in a maiden hurdle here before another bold show at Tramore earlier this month finishing second of 15 beaten 4L. Likable type who should be in the mix.

Form: 7-32

Statistical¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 103

9/2

Six-race maiden hurdler who has been well held in two starts since April including a 6L defeat when fifth of 11 at Tramore earlier this month. Place claims at best here.

Form: 0360P-5

Try Again²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: B Browne⁽⁵⁾| T: P W Flynn| OR: 102

14/1

Without a win in four hurdle starts including a 12L defeat on handicap debut in a Ballinrobe contest over 2m½f. Opposable on overall performances.

Form: 000-3

Mary Sun^h²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 99

14/1

Nothing of any note in two maiden hurdle starts last month well held at Punchestown and Ballinrobe. Form doesn't warrant support here.

Form: P0-04

Duke's Girl¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 10-9| J: D F O'Regan| T: J Nash| OR: 102

25/1

Modest hurdler who was second of three at Sligo last month and has been well beaten since. Hard to construct much of a case for the filly here.

Form: 40-24B

I've Got Rhythm²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 10-7| J: Ricky Doyle⁽⁵⁾| T: C O'Dwyer| OR: 99

8/1

Has appeared the gelding has been waiting for the move in to handicap company running two solid races last month including a win at Wexford over 2m on good ground. Looks a progressive type and shortlisted here.

Form: 005-21

Forecasts

Count Simon (9/4), Ballybrowney Jack (7/2), Statistical (9/2), Golden Poet (6/1), I've Got Rhythm (8/1), Try Again (14/1), Mary Sun (14/1), Duke's Girl (25/1)

COUNT SIMON can add to his bold show at Tramore earlier this month finishing second of 15 beaten 4L on good ground and land the spoils here with impressive Wexford victor Ballybrowney Jack set to continue his improvement in this contest. The Denis Hogan-trained Golden Poet and the Gigginstown House Stud-owned Statistical can battle for the minors.