15:05 Downpatrick

Friday 12 October 2018

All14:0014:3015:0515:4016:1516:5017:25

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

Off time: 15:06 | Winning time: 6m 3.70s

Shimmer And Shine²²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: G N Fox| T: P Croke| OR: 95

6/1

Improved on a number of disappointing starts when finishing fourth of 16 beaten over 5L at Roscommon when last seen in July. Remains up against it here seemingly conceding weight.

Form: 7-00748

Caerleon Kate^p¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: D F O'Regan| T: C A McBratney| OR: 92

12/1

Long-standing maiden on the Flat and over timber, better efforts this year have come at this track in maiden hurdles, but still needs a leap of faith to see her landing a handicap on form.

Form: 627440

Holy Motivation^p⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| OR: 92

5/4

Not much to shout about in bumpers/maiden hurdles but improved on handicap debut at Tipperary this week, tackling 3m trip for the first time and getting headed only late on. Runs off the same mark and trip to suit.

Form: 579632

Shipwreck¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: A W Short⁽³⁾| T: C A McBratney| OR: 85| C

12/1

Handicap hurdle winner here in June (rated 80) over slightly shorter trip, efforts since haven't been convincing including recently over fences at Sligo. Others more likely at the moment.

Form: 187448

Court Adjourned^t¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: C D Maxwell| T: D A McLoughlin| OR: 84

8/1

A 19-race maiden, though better efforts last twice, including when making the frame here a fortnight ago. Still beaten 10L on that occasion, runs off the same mark and similar aspirations possible.

Form: PP8-673

He Knows My Name^t¹²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 10-13| J: A Ring| T: R K Watson| OR: 82

9/1

Point-to-point and chase winner, has shown best form when tackling the larger obstacles (unplaced in six hurdles starts). Back from a summer break and perhaps a stepping stone towards winters chase plans.

Form: 3216-23

Im Waiting^p,t⁹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: J M Moore| T: A McCann| OR: 81

20/1

Mare that has being well held in two maiden hurdle starts and in a couple of handicap since. Out of sorts in the summer and others preferred for now.

Form: 7/607F

Mash Potato^p,t¹¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: C J Orr⁽⁷⁾| T: N C Kelly| OR: 81

11/2

Just the one win from 22 starts over timber, despite often being the subject of market support in low-grade contests. Competitive in pair of Newton Abbot sellers lately, this is probably tougher.

Form: 523-934

Glasson Lad^b⁷

Age: 11| Weight: 10-11| J: M F Mooney| T: Mrs A Mooney| OR: 80

33/1

Long-standing maiden across all codes, has looked typically limited over hurdles this summer and didn't beat a rival home at Gowran Park last week. Hard to have any faith in.

Form: 0-00590

Rock On Bach^p,t²²

Age: 9| Weight: 10-11| J: Simon Torrens⁽⁷⁾| T: T Cummins| OR: 80

33/1

Made it 28 starts over timber without tasting success when well beat ninth of 12 at Clonmel (3m, good to yielding) last month. Modest sort, unlikely to figure when it matters most.

Form: 95P-009

Tricky Question^p¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: J P O'Sullivan⁽⁷⁾| T: P J Rothwell| OR: 80

50/1

Beaten a long way or failed to finish on all starts over hurdles. Impossible to fancy in current form and others much easily preferred.

Form: 00-PP90

Forecasts

Holy Motivation (5/4), Mash Potato (11/2), Shimmer And Shine (6/1), Court Adjourned (8/1), He Knows My Name (9/1), Caerleon Kate (12/1), Shipwreck (12/1), Im Waiting (20/1), Glasson Lad (33/1), Rock On Bach (33/1), Tricky Question (50/1)

The drop in trip should be perfect for HOLY MOTIVATION, who recorded a career-best despite being collared late on at Tipperary earlier in the week on handicap bow. Davy Russell is on board again now and, dropped in distance, they should be hard to beat from an unchanged mark. Hard to get excited about many of the others. Mash Potato has been competitive in low-grade affairs in Britain lately, while Court Adjourned made the frame here last time and might be capable of something similar.