13:45 Downpatrick

Sunday 16 June 2019

All13:4514:2014:5515:2516:0016:3517:05

Killultagh Estates Maiden Hurdle

Off time: 13:45 | Winning time: 5m 18.80s

Ask Cory²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: D F O'Regan| T: C A McBratney

50/1

Poor form in a number of point-to-point starts since the turn of the year and has failed to trigger any enthusiasm in a couple of maiden hurdle spins to date. Still looking no nearer to breakthrough success.

Form: P3/5P0-7

Benefit Run¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: L P Dempsey| T: R O'Sullivan

40/1

Nothing of note in three maiden hurdle starts, all around 12 months apart. Sent off at 100/1 on his latest start before running accordingly and unlikely to be making a significant impact in this contest.

Form: 9/R-9

Black Market^t1²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: A W Short⁽⁵⁾| T: P Griffin| OR: 102

14/1

Generally well held in a number of maiden hurdle starts since April where finishing positions may be flattering the Yeats gelding. Good chance handicaps will suit on the back of this challenge.

Form: FP64-54

Blue Markie²³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Sean Flanagan| T: D M Christie

14/1

Winner of one of his 11 point-to-point starts before running as well as could be expected in a 2m1½f bumper at this venue last month. Best watched on hurdling introduction.

Form: P7P5-14

Danjaman²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Sarah Kavanagh⁽⁷⁾| T: R K Watson

33/1

Gelding by Dansant who finished second of three finishers on point-to-point debut before unseating at the fourth in a 2m7½f hunter chase here last month. Unlikely to be playing a part in the finish on hurdling debut.

Form: 2U

Everybreathyoutake¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: A Ring| T: G Elliott

9/2

Expected to improve on his run at Kilbeggan earlier this month off the back of a 216 day absence. Worth a check in the market for yard with a terrific record at this meeting in the last four years.

Form: P1/P28-4

Monition^b1²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: G Elliott| OR: 108| BF

15/8

Running well in defeat in a couple of hurdling spins at this track last month. Leading player in first time blinkers with Co Meath yard boasting a 49% win and place strike rate at this meeting since 2015.

Form: 8739-23

Poker D'Ainay²⁴

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

11/8

Three-race maiden hurdler who has hit the frame on two occasions including when finishing second of eight at Tipperary on his latest start last month. Another bold show looks likely.

Form: 220P3-2

Shantou City²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-13| J: Danny Mullins| T: L Lennon

33/1

Shantou gelding out of a Lucky Guest mare. Not much to shout about in three below-par point-to-point efforts since April. Will need to improve to play a role at the business end of proceedings here.

Form: 76-F

Non-Runners

Orena Bay¹

Weight: 10-11| Age: 5

T: W J Bryson J: Mr N Gault

Forecasts

Poker D'Ainay (11/8), Monition (15/8), Everybreathyoutake (9/2), Orena Bay (10/1), Blue Markie (14/1), Black Market (14/1), Danjaman (33/1), Shantou City (33/1), Benefit Run (40/1), Ask Cory (50/1)

The Willie Mullins-trained Poker D'ainay is sure to be popular given the form of the yard but the five-year-old may face stiff opposition from the Gordon Elliott-trained, MONITION in first-time blinkers. The yard have a strong record at this meeting in the last four years and the Gigginstown House Stud-owned gelding can see off the attentions of stablemate, Everybreathyoutake and Wexford fourth, Black Market on debut for trainer Patrick Griffin.