17:45 Downpatrick

Sunday 9 August 2020

All14:2014:5515:3016:0516:4017:1517:45

Randox Health Beginners Chase

Off time: 17:45 | Winning time: 4m 45.10s

As The Crow Flies⁴⁹⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr N McParlan⁽⁵⁾| T: S McParlan

28/1

Prolific in point-to-points but has shown little in the way of ability in a few career starts to date over hurdles; not seen since April 2019 and can only be watched.

Form: 111000/

Ashton Court⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: J J Hanlon| BF

7/2

Yet to win over hurdles (0-17) despite often attracting plenty support in betting; runner-up at Kilbeggan (2m, good to yielding; 10-3f) last week and may have decent claims if taking to chasing at first attempt.

Form: 234-4U2

Back To Bataan¹⁶⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Simon Torrens⁽⁷⁾| T: M Torrens

22/1

15-race maiden over hurdles/fences; wide-margin defeats in both sprint starts at Thurles and Fairyhouse in this code. Has won a point-to-point and perhaps more to come upped in distance.

Form: 915988-

Doyler's Mate²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: B Browne⁽⁵⁾| T: L Lennon

200/1

Pulled up in all four starts in point-to-points and has beaten very little home in two maiden hurdles so far; impossible to recommend on the formbook ahead of chasing introduction.

Form: P/PPP-00

Fallen Forest^p¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: J B Kane⁽⁵⁾| T: W Durkan

28/1

Eight-race maiden over hurdle (also 0-5 on the Flat); last month's Bellewstown maiden hurdle run (third) was a fair one though poor since at Limerick and overall profile isn't convincing.

Form: F/605-30

Miracle In Medinah^b⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: J S McGarvey| T: G Elliott

12/1

Bumper winner at Fairyhouse on debut all the way back in 2016; never really looked like adding to that in relatively light career since over hurdles and beaten 26L on chase bow at Kilbeggan last week (SP 25-1). Need to see some market confidence.

Form: 3/007P-8

Ruinous^t⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: J M Moore| T: G P Cromwell

3/1

Third is a point-to-point in January before moving to Gavin Cromwell; not without promise in six starts over hurdles since and race-fit; possible that he will improve going chasing for the first time in a weak finale.

Form: 736-747

The Abbey²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Keith Donoghue| T: G Elliott

5/2

Couldn't get a win over hurdles after joining this trainer but placed twice in seven runs; winner on the Flat at Killarney last month off 65 and certainly rates as one to keep a close eye on ahead of this chasing debut.

Form: 243276-

Toast To Thomas^t⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: A W Short| T: P Griffin

50/1

Record in point-to-points patchy but did win one in February before joining this trainer; three-figure prices both chase starts so far and brought down early on at Galway nine days ago. Not dismissed in this weaker affair.

Form: 2P1-09B

Whatsyourstatus^t⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: C P McNamara⁽⁵⁾| T: G O'Loughlin

9/2

Placed four times in seven starts over timber prior to last week's return at Kilbeggan when weakening to distance fourth (7-2). Sharper for that effort and shapes as one that will take to chasing.

Form: 0/2363-6

Rubiana¹⁶⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: J J Slevin| T: Caroline Mccaldin| OR: 95

40/1

Mare was a winning point-to-pointer in 2019; some promise exhibited in three h'caps over timber for this yard last season and was headed for Novices' Handicap Chase at Sedgefield prior to lockdown. Worth a look for trainer Caroline McCaldin.

Form: 690028-

Forecasts

The Abbey (5/2), Ruinous (3/1), Ashton Court (7/2), Whatsyourstatus (9/2), Miracle In Medinah (12/1), Back To Bataan (22/1), As The Crow Flies (28/1), Fallen Forest (28/1), Rubiana (40/1), Toast To Thomas (50/1), Doyler's Mate (200/1)

Not the strongest finale and perhaps a chance for RUBIANA on chasing bow. The scorpion mare has a point-to-point win on her CV and was second in a maiden hurdle at Limerick in January on second run for this trainer when she showed good determination (winner miles clear). She's a hopeful pick ahead of Ruinous, who ran well over timber at Galway recently. Ashton Court and The Abbey represent good yards and are respected.