15:20 Downpatrick

Sunday 24 March 2019

All14:1514:4515:2015:5016:2517:0017:30

Molson Coors Handicap Hurdle (80-109)

Off time: 15:20 | Winning time: 4m 40.80s

Take A Turn¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-11| J: Keith Donoghue| T: G Elliott| OR: 108

11/1

Well held and left toiling in a number of dismal efforts over timber since the turn of the year. Remains best watched unless market indicates otherwise. Trainer appears to have stronger hopes in this race.

Form: 9097

British Art^h²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: P J O'Hanlon⁽⁷⁾| T: R K Watson| OR: 107

8/1

Had been running admirably in defeat in a number of starts since the turn of the year prior to last month's Fairyhouse flop, which was his sixth run of 2019 and second in six days, perhaps will bounce back after short break.

Form: 822420

Two In One^t²²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: L P Dempsey| T: J P Dempsey| OR: 107| C

20/1

Off the mark for connections at the 15th time of asking on his seventh start over hurdles winning a 2m5½f here last May (was 33-1). Entitled to have needed Navan reappearance sole start since, but others probably have better claims.

Form: P60F-1P

Bridge Native^t³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: Mark Walsh| T: Mrs D A Love| OR: 106

12/1

Runner-up in successive races at Clonmel (2m3½f, good) and Gowran Park (2m, good-yielding in places) in November but not matched that in two runs since and hard to place faith in currently.

Form: 072208

From Eden^b1¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 105| BF

11/10

Landed a gamble on stable debut this month at Naas (2m4f, yielding) when making hard work of exploiting what appeared an attractive mark (93). Found just one too strong under penalty at Gowran a week later, in the mix with first-time blinkers on.

Form: 080812

Cray³²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: J M Moore| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 102

14/1

Rated 75 at his best on the Flat but not yet really shown much over hurdles. Needs a good step forward to be competitive in this field it seems.

Form: 0080

Cappuccino Man^p,t²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: D J Hand⁽⁷⁾| T: O McKiernan| OR: 101

9/2

Solid and consistent sort running well in defeat since January including finishing runner-up to Beepers Ruby at Fairyhouse last month over this trip. Another sound run since over 3m at Leopardstown in first-time cheekpieces (retained); can go well.

Form: P83425

Solar Heat¹³⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 11-1| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: Mrs D A Love| OR: 98

20/1

10-year-old mare, versatile sort but sole hurdles success (from 22) came in a Clonmel maiden back in 2016. Rachel Blackmore was claiming 5lb then, and is an interesting booking now. Betting check.

Form: 865636

Fenlon's Hill¹⁶⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 10-13| J: A W Short⁽³⁾| T: P Stafford| OR: 96

9/1

Best form over fences and 0-9 over timber previously. Out of sorts when last spotted in the autumn but can't be ruled out returning off significantly lower rating in this sphere. Placed at Sligo in September when last over hurdles.

Form: 393430

Better Back Bob⁸⁸

Age: 13| Weight: 10-11| J: J J Slevin| T: N McKnight| OR: 94| CD

20/1

No-show at Down Royal over Christmas on return from over a year ago, has won over 2m6½f around here in the past, but remains well above winning mark and probably best watched for now.

Form: 12303-0

My Peggy²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-7| J: Danny Mullins| T: N G Hynds| OR: 90

25/1

Failed to improve on her fifth of nine, beaten 33L, behind Honeysuckle at Fairyhouse (2m4f, good) in November in a couple of disappointing starts since including a 46L defeat last month at Naas in a maiden. Handicap debut now, may improve.

Form: P26500

Ricky Langford³¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-3| J: C A Landers⁽⁵⁾| T: P J Rothwell| OR: 86

33/1

Held 15L sixth in a 2m hurdle at Thurles (good) on handicap debut last month. More needed stepping up in distance.

Form: 0006

Non-Runners

Get Out Of Jail¹¹³

Weight: 11-8| Age: 8

T: J C McConnell J: D F O'Regan

Alpha Indi³⁷³

Weight: 11-2| Age: 8

T: G Elliott J: D N Russell

Imperial Reprise³⁶⁴

Weight: 10-5| Age: 8

T: C A McBratney J: Sean Flanagan

Forecasts

From Eden (11/10), Cappuccino Man (9/2), Alpha Indi (5/1), British Art (8/1), Fenlon's Hill (9/1), Take A Turn (11/1), Bridge Native (12/1), Cray (14/1), Imperial Reprise (14/1), Two In One (20/1), Solar Heat (20/1), Better Back Bob (20/1), My Peggy (25/1), Get Out Of Jail (25/1), Ricky Langford (33/1)

Gordon Elliott won this last year and has a three-pronged attack now that is spearheaded by FROM EDEN, a winner on stable debut this month at Naas over a similar trip. He settled for second under his penalty at Gowran Park but, with new headgear, might take another step forward now. Stable newcomer Alpha Indi needs close scrutiny in the betting with the champion jockey booked. Cappuccino Man is amongst the reliable options while it is interesting to see Rachel Blackmore reunited with the mare Solar Heat after a long time apart (won maiden together in 2016).