14:52 Downpatrick

Friday 8 October 2021

All13:4514:1714:5215:2716:0216:3217:05

Randox Health Handicap Hurdle (80-102)

Off time: 14:52 | Winning time: 4m 25.2s

The Abbey¹¹

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Jordan Gainford⁽⁵⁾| T: G Elliott| OR: 99

11/4

Remains a maiden over jumps after 21 NH runs. 9/2, creditable fifth of 17 in handicap hurdle at Roscommon (15.4f, good) 11 days ago. Shortlist material with excellent claimer taking over.

Form: 26-3P25

Fassbender^t²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Mike O'Connor⁽⁵⁾| T: M M McNiff| OR: 95

7/2

Remains a maiden after 18 NH runs. 9/2, creditable 4½ lengths second of 14 to Willyouwalkwithme in handicap hurdle at this C&D (soft) 21 days ago. Warrants consideration in current mood.

Form: 0-24722

Fallen Forest^b²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: C J Orr| T: W Durkan| OR: 93

17/2

Fair winner at 12f on flat. 14/1, creditable second of 14 in handicap at Dundalk (12f) 21 days ago. Switches from Flat to hurdles. Blinkers back on. Uninspiring profile in this discipline.

Form: 759U4-F

Fleurys Fort^p⁸

Age: 11| Weight: 11-7| J: R P Treacy| T: L Young| OR: 92

12/1

4/1, won 15-runner handicap hurdle at Clonmel (19.9f, good) 8 days ago, staying on well. Should give another good account.

Form: 636341

Willyouwalkwithme²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Shane Fitzgerald⁽⁵⁾| T: H Smyth| OR: 91| CD

7/2

2 wins from 5 runs this season. 10/1, career best when winning 14-runner handicap hurdle at this C&D (soft) 21 days ago by 4½ lengths from Fassbender, always holding on. Big player.

Form: 7-19U91

I Don't Get It⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: E Walsh⁽⁵⁾| T: N McCluskey| OR: 86

9/2

Remains a maiden after 24 NH runs. 16/1, respectable eighth of 15 in handicap hurdle at Clonmel (24.2f, good) 8 days ago, not ideally placed. Down in trip.

Form: 0-74208

Our Brian^p⁸⁷

Age: 11| Weight: 10-10| J: J J Slevin| T: P J Rothwell| OR: 81| CD

18/1

C&D winner. 11/1, twelfth of 15 in handicap hurdle at this course (18.8f, good) 87 days ago. Others make more appeal.

Form: 6P-0P30

Lady Kapalua^t1⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 10-8| J: L P Dempsey| T: J P Dempsey| OR: 80

22/1

28/1, fifteenth of 20 in handicap hurdle at Gowran (16f, good) 7 days ago. Tongue strap on 1st time. Plenty to find on form.

Form: 90958-0

Non-Runners

Rippon Lodge³

Weight: 11-4| Age: 8

T: J P Ryan J: Philip Donovan

Mezyan⁸

Weight: 10-9| Age: 6

T: J J Hanlon J: J S McGarvey

Forecasts

The Abbey (11/4), Fassbender (7/2), Willyouwalkwithme (7/2), I Don't Get It (9/2), Rippon Lodge (9/2), Fallen Forest (17/2), Fleurys Fort (12/1), Mezyan (14/1), Our Brian (18/1), Lady Kapalua (22/1)

Although a long-standing maiden over jumps, THE ABBEY is well handicapped on his chasing form and ran well in this sphere last time, so he's worth chancing with Jordan Gainford taking a crucial 5 lb off. Fassbender is also yet to shed his maiden tag, but he's in good order and likely to get involved if the pace is solid. Willyouwalkwithme is also a player if he gets his own way in front.