17:00 Downpatrick

Friday 19 May 2023

All17:0017:3018:0518:4019:1519:4520:20

Joe Rea Memorial Maiden Hurdle

Off time: 17:00 | Winning time: 4m 28.20s

Barbary Master^b1,t¹³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: N J Ryan⁽⁷⁾| T: N Meade| OR: 115

12/1

Fairly useful hurdler at best but was well held in a maiden at Cork (24.8f, good to soft) 13 days ago. Back down in trip. Blinkers on for 1st time.

Form: 30/35P-8

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Eco Pete⁷⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: B W Harvey⁽⁵⁾| T: J C McConnell| OR: 114| CD

8/1

Fairly useful hurdler who shaped as if better for the run after 6 months off when fourth of 7 in maiden at Leopardstown (20f, good) 75 days ago.

Form: 00/U244-

Smooth Player³²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr R James⁽⁷⁾| T: G Elliott| OR: 123| BF

10/3

Fairly useful hurdler. Disappointing when turned over at short odds in 2m maiden at Tramore last month but was probably unsuited by drop in trip. Worth another chance.

Form: 4P4222-

Deep Sigh^t⁴³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Brian Hayes| T: J C McConnell

100/1

Fair handicapper on Flat, stays 1½m, well held on stable debut (previously trained by David Simcock) last time. Tongue strap retained for hurdle debut.

Form:

Williamstowndancer³⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Mr P W Mullins| T: W P Mullins

8/11

Fairly useful bumper winner who had a hopeless task from her position when third of 20 in Nickel Coin (Grade 2) at Aintree last time. Big player on hurdle debut.

Form: 1R53-

Hans Gruber^h,t⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Mr J Dunne⁽⁷⁾| T: Ian Donoghue| OR: 108

18/1

Fair hurdler who probably needed the run after 4 months off when tenth of 16 in handicap hurdle at Clonmel (19.1f, soft) 8 days ago. Hood back on.

Form: U2R/13-0

Harel Du Marais^t¹⁹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: J J Slevin| T: S R B Crawford| OR: 120

16/1

Fair hurdler who proved a disappointment when fourth of 10 in novice hurdle at Musselburgh (15.6f, soft). Off 6 months. Up in trip. Needs to get back on track.

Form: 763264-

Hilton De Chaillac^t1⁶⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: P J Carberry| T: Nina Walsh

18/1

Twice-raced maiden under NH rules. Twelfth of 14 in maiden hurdle at Naas (19f, soft, 40/1) on hurdles bow 68 days ago, folding after racing freely. Tongue strap on for 1st time.

Form: 2/60-

Ardad Derek²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Shane Fenelon⁽⁷⁾| T: J J Hanlon

125/1

Well held in bumper/maiden hurdle 3 months apart.

Form: 98-

Boskill Borden⁵⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Shane O'Callaghan⁽⁷⁾| T: P G Fahey

100/1

Well held in bumper/maiden hurdle.

Form: 60-

Myfiabellaevard¹¹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-11| J: Thomas Reilly⁽⁷⁾| T: J C McConnell

200/1

Well held in bumpers 3 months apart.

Form: 07-

Pure Notions⁵⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 10-11| J: Danny Mullins| T: W P Mullins| BF

16/1

Below expectations when sixth of 11 in bumper (10/11) at Cork (16f, heavy) on NH debut 57 days ago, looking unsuited by conditions. Makes hurdles debut. Yard in good form.

Form: 6-

Castlebawn North⁵⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Sean O'Keeffe| T: W P Mullins

33/1

Twice-raced maiden. 9/2, fourth of 8 in bumper at Clonmel (18.5f, heavy) 59 days ago. Makes hurdles debut. RESERVE.

Form: 44-

Non-Runners

El Champo¹⁴

Weight: 11-4| Age: 5

T: P J Rothwell J: P J O'Hanlon

Gaye Winnie¹²⁵

Weight: 10-11| Age: 5

T: G Elliott J: Reserve 2

Prince Quattro¹

Weight: 10-12| Age: 4

T: P J Rothwell J: Reserve 3

Forecasts

Williamstowndancer (8/11), Smooth Player (10/3), Gaye Winnie (11/2), Eco Pete (8/1), Barbary Master (12/1), Harel Du Marais (16/1), Pure Notions (16/1), Hilton De Chaillac (18/1), Hans Gruber (18/1), El Champo (20/1), Castlebawn North (33/1), Prince Quattro (33/1), Boskill Borden (100/1), Deep Sigh (100/1), Ardad Derek (125/1), Myfiabellaevard (200/1)

WILLIAMSTOWNDANCER shaped well from an unpromising position in the Grade 2 Nickel Coin at Aintree on her most recent bumper outing, so she's of strong interest now switched to hurdles in what looks a winnable race. Smooth Player proved a let-down when turned over at short odds at Tramore last time, but was possibly unsuited by the drop back in trip and is a big player on his previous form. The selection's stablemate Pure Notions is clearly thought capable of better and shouldn't be overlooked.