15:15 Downpatrick

Sunday 8 August 2021

All13:4014:1014:4015:1515:5016:2016:55

Frank & Brian Fitzsimmons Memorial Mares Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:15 | Winning time: 5m 24.4s

Rain In Spain¹⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-13| J: Paul Townend| T: C O'Brien| OR: 117| BF

5/1

Latest win in hurdle at Cork in July. 10/3, good second of 15 in handicap hurdle at Ballinrobe (21.6f, good) 19 days ago. Progressing well recently, so she's well in the mix.

Form: 003-312

Hello Pilgrim^p²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: Mark Walsh| T: C Bowe| OR: 110| D

12/1

Yet to hit top form in two runs this term, seventh of 11 in handicap hurdle at Sligo (25.7f, good to soft) 28 days ago. Others more persuasive.

Form: 2624-07

Lighthouse Rose²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: C A Landers⁽³⁾| T: M M McNiff| OR: 109| CD

6/4

Posted a career best when easily winning 15-runner handicap hurdle here (21.8f, good) 26 days ago. Yard in good form so bold bid is on the cards in attempt to follow up last year's win.

Form: 588-341

So Near So Farhh^p³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: J P O'Sullivan⁽⁵⁾| T: C A McBratney| OR: 101

11/1

Creditable sixth of 15 to Rain In Spain in handicap hurdle at Cork (20f, good to soft) 30 days ago. Can give another good account eased 1 lb in the weights.

Form: 09P0-46

Mullaghmore Wave^p,t¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-8| J: Brian Hayes| T: J C McConnell| OR: 98| D

9/2

Cheekpieces on for 1st time when readily opening her account in handicap hurdle at Ballinrobe (21.6f, good) 19 days ago. Hiked up 14 lb but still not dismissed with headgear retained.

Form: 080-981

Finding Joy^b²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-4| J: T Joseph Kelly⁽⁷⁾| T: M Hourigan| OR: 94| CD

7/2

C&D winner who comes here on the back of creditable second of 17 in handicap hurdle at Killarney (20f, good to soft) 24 days ago. Shortlisted.

Form: 6009-62

Class Bishop Lady²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-3| J: L P Dempsey| T: Mrs D Foster| OR: 93

25/1

Still to get her head in front, and only ninth of 10 in handicap hurdle at Perth (23.9f, soft) 28 days ago. Has plenty to find on form.

Form: 3365-49

Pat's Pearl^p,t¹¹

Age: 10| Weight: 9-12| J: Mike O'Connor⁽⁷⁾| T: J C McConnell| OR: 88| C

16/1

Eleven runs since last win in 2019. 28/1, last of 6 in handicap hurdle at Perth (20.2f, good to soft) 11 days ago. Must improve.

Form: FP85P-6

Forecasts

Lighthouse Rose (6/4), Finding Joy (7/2), Mullaghmore Wave (9/2), Rain In Spain (5/1), So Near So Farhh (11/1), Hello Pilgrim (12/1), Pat's Pearl (16/1), Class Bishop Lady (25/1)

A case can be made for a few but the most persuasive one is for LIGHTHOUSE ROSE who landed this contest 12 months ago and arrives at the top of her game after a facile win here last month. Rain In Spain isn't taken lightly given her excellent recent form with So Near So Farhh likely to have a say too off an eased mark.