13:00 Down Royal

Thursday 26 December 2019

All12:0012:3013:0013:3514:1014:4515:20

Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Hurdle (80-102)

Off time: 13:01 | Winning time: 4m 45.90s

Benefit North^h,t¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: J P O'Sullivan⁽⁴⁾| T: C A McBratney| OR: 101

25/1

Produced a couple of promising runs under Rules in 2018, including when he was fourth of 15 at Downpatrick (2m3f). His form since then in point-to-points has been disappointing. Best to watch.

Form: 45-56FU

Billy's Angel^h¹²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Dillon Maxwell⁽⁴⁾| T: A Murray| OR: 101| D

13/2

Broke his maiden over hurdles three starts back at Clonmel (2m½f). Has been unable to follow it up since in two starts. He was fifth of 12 last time at Fairyhouse (2m). Remains off the same mark. One to consider.

Form: 775105

Fallen Forest⁴²

Age: 4| Weight: 11-10| J: D J Hand⁽⁴⁾| T: W Durkan| OR: 102

14/1

Remains a maiden after nine outings. Had just one rival behind him in a 15 runner contest at Clonmel (2m3½f) last time. Has been eased 2lb but he will need to improve on what he has produced to date.

Form: 04F-60

Fight For Love^t¹²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: K Brogan⁽⁴⁾| T: G Elliott| OR: 99

5/1

Recorded his first win on his last start at Fairyhouse (2m) where he was successful by just a nose in a 12 runner contest. The handicapper has raised him 5lb in the weights, however, he has a good chance of following up.

Form: 00-9301

Jazz Ranger^v⁴⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Aidan Kelly⁽⁴⁾| T: J Fahey| OR: 99

25/1

Experienced gelding who has won just once in 24 starts over hurdles. He went close to success over hurdles in the summer on two occasions, finishing second each time. Finished 11th of 16 at Thurles (2m) last time. Needs to bounce back.

Form: 602200

Back To Bataan^p1,t⁶¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Simon Torrens⁽⁴⁾| T: M Torrens| OR: 97

9/2

Scored in a point-to-point at Portrush (3m) two runs ago. Has hit the frame on three occasions under Rules, including when he was second of 12 at Sligo (2m5f). Cheekpieces are on for the first time. Can't be discounted.

Form: 602915

Circling Moon^t,v1⁴⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: B Browne⁽²⁾| T: O McKiernan| OR: 96

12/1

A three-time winner on the Flat but has yet to prevail in National Hunt racing. His form this year has been disappointing. He could only finish 15th of 21 last time at Punchestown (3m). Visor is on for the first time. Others appeal more.

Form: 900900

Magic Sea²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 11-7| J: E Walsh⁽⁴⁾| T: Mrs S Dawson| OR: 99| C

9/1

Has showed very few encouraging signs in 12 attempts over hurdles so far. He came back sixth of 14 on his latest effort at Limerick (2m5f). Is down 1lb but will need to improve to be in the mix.

Form: 9B8946

Laureate^p1³²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: M Hamill| T: C A McBratney| OR: 95

12/1

Broke her maiden at Downpatrick (2m3f) back in June but has been unable to follow it up since. She was fourth of 13 at Navan (2m) last time though. Cheekpieces are on for the first time. One to think about.

Form: 268554

Well Joey^t⁷⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: A W Short| T: P Stafford| OR: 93| D

8/1

Has been great form over fences recently with three wins from his last four starts. He was pulled up on his latest outing at Hexham (2m4f) though. Is 0-12 over hurdles. Has to be considered off this mark.

Form: 621-11P

Rossmore's Pride²⁶⁵

Age: 11| Weight: 11-2| J: Mr J C Canavan⁽⁴⁾| T: Christian Delcros| OR: 91| C

25/1

His sole success over hurdles came at this track over the longer trip of 2m3½f. Came close to victory over fences at Sedgefield earlier this year. This is his first run for his new yard on his return to action. Best to watch.

Form: 85143P-

Walkers Point^p,t⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: A M King⁽⁴⁾| T: S McParlan| OR: 90

16/1

Scored in a bumper at Cork (2m) earlier in his career but is 0-24 over hurdles. He was fifth of 14 last time at Catterick (2m3f). Has been eased 8lb by the handicapper. Not one to ignore despite his record.

Form: 305-0P5

Magheralagan¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-10| J: M J Stenson⁽⁴⁾| T: C A McBratney| OR: 85

50/1

Has struggled in his three appearances to date, including when he was 19th of 25 on his latest outing at Navan (2m4f) as a 100/1 shot. Set for handicap debut so things may get easier soon. Not one that leaps out here though.

Form: 070

Knockanora Lady^t³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-6| J: R P Treacy| T: S Curling| OR: 81

4/1

Still looking for her first success after eight runs, however, latest effort at Thurles (2m) suggests it may not be far away as she was third of 18. Has gone up just 1lb for that near miss. One for the shortlist.

Form: U900-03

Gotta Getaway^b1,t²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-5| J: J R Wildman⁽⁴⁾| T: S Nolan| OR: 80

16/1

Is 0-9 on the track. Her form has yet to improve since joining handicap company, including last time when she was ninth of 17 at Thurles (2m). Remains off the same mark but has blinkers on for the first time. Hard to fancy.

Form: 00-P909

Non-Runners

Betsy Boots²¹

Weight: 11-5| Age: 7

T: R K Watson J: P J O'Hanlon

Autumn Berry³³

Weight: 11-1| Age: 5

T: B R Hamilton J: Dylan Johnston

Forecasts

Knockanora Lady (4/1), Back To Bataan (9/2), Fight For Love (5/1), Billy's Angel (13/2), Well Joey (8/1), Magic Sea (9/1), Circling Moon (12/1), Laureate (12/1), Fallen Forest (14/1), Walkers Point (16/1), Gotta Getaway (16/1), Rossmore's Pride (25/1), Benefit North (25/1), Jazz Ranger (25/1), Betsy Boots (25/1), Autumn Berry (33/1), Magheralagan (50/1)

FIGHT FOR LOVE produced a career best last time at Fairyhouse to break his maiden. He was very game in the closing stages of that race which suggests he is tough so take him to follow up with 5lb extra on his back here. Billy's Angel is also already a winner over hurdles and although his last two runs have been below his best, he can bounce back with a big run, while Knockanora Lady ran well on her latest appearance when she was third at Thurles and should once again be in the mix in the closing stages of this contest.