16:10 Downpatrick

Friday 6 October 2023

All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:20

J Murdoch Contracts Handicap Hurdle (80-95)

Off time: 16:10 | Winning time: 5m 47.60s

Resilient Front^t²⁴⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: M J M O'Sullivan| T: N Meade| OR: 93

9/1

Modest form at best in bumpers. Never offered much in trio of maiden hurdles spread over 4 months last term but does now get a crack at handicaps/upped in trip on return to action and market confidence behind him would look significant.

Form: 200800-

Signora Di Milano^p¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 93

10/1

Lightly-raced maiden. Ninth of 12 in novice hurdle at Listowel (24f, good to soft, 14/1) 19 days ago, ridden from 3 out and never on terms. Makes handicap hurdle debut.

Form: P5-0249

Moneynabane¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: Philip Byrnes⁽⁵⁾| T: N McCluskey| OR: 90

9/2

16/1, last of 7 in handicap hurdle at Warwick (16f, good) 11 days ago, mistake 3 out and dropping away. Others make greater appeal turned out quickly.

Form: 975357

Across The Ocean²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-8| J: Keith Donoghue| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 91

17/2

33/1, showed more than previously when 18¾ lengths fourth of 11 to Morricone in handicap hurdle at this course (17.8f, soft) 21 days ago. Back up in trip now but more needed if he's to get closer to that rival here.

Form: 000FU4

Kiss My Lucky Egg⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: Harry Sexton⁽⁷⁾| T: A Sexton| OR: 89

15/2

Fair winner at 17f in bumpers. Creditable fourth of 15 in handicap hurdle (28/1) at Gowran (16f, heavy) 7 days ago. Significantly back up in trip.

Form: 0-630P4

Mr Social¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: Mark McDonagh⁽⁵⁾| T: E Griffin| OR: 87

15/8

Winner in hurdle at Tramore in August. 6/1, respectable third of 17 in handicap hurdle at Listowel (24f, soft) 14 days ago, the trip under the conditions possibly stretching him. Can make presence felt.

Form: 0-84123

Castle Arms Casa²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Danny Mullins| T: W J Lanigan| OR: 86

40/1

Lightly-raced maiden. 200/1, tenth of 14 in novice hurdle at Kilbeggan (16f, good) 28 days ago. Significantly back up in trip. Makes handicap hurdle debut.

Form: 3/00-0P0

Ciankyle⁴⁹

Age: 12| Weight: 11-4| J: Donagh Meyler| T: P Cluskey| OR: 85| C

8/1

Course winner. Twelve runs since last win in 2021. 16/1, pulled up in handicap chase at Tramore (21.6f, heavy) 49 days ago, dropping away from circuit out. Previous exploits over hurdles this term certainly not devoid of encouragement so not one to write off.

Form: 9-6267P

Military Hill^p¹¹

Age: 10| Weight: 10-13| J: A P Heskin| T: R K Watson| OR: 80| D

25/1

Fifth of 6 in handicap hurdle at Roscommon (24.5f, soft, 25/1) 11 days ago, left behind before straight. Passed over here.

Form: 9/BP-905

Wee Jerry^t²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: Ben Kennedy⁽⁷⁾| T: N McCluskey| OR: 80

12/1

Remains a maiden after 18 NH runs. 16/1, 23¾ lengths fifth of 11 to Morricone in handicap hurdle at this course (17.8f, soft) 21 days ago. Back up in trip. Tongue strap back on.

Form: 50P805

Non-Runners

Morricone²

Weight: 11-9| Age: 6

T: Ms M Mullins J: Danny Mullins

Sally's Cave²¹

Weight: 11-4| Age: 6

T: Francis Casey J: Thomas Reilly

Queen Kulina³⁰⁴

Weight: 11-1| Age: 7

T: P Croke J: Shane Fenelon

O'Faolains Glory¹⁴

Weight: 10-13| Age: 6

T: N Dooly J: J P O'Sullivan

Forecasts

Mr Social (15/8), Morricone (7/2), Moneynabane (9/2), Kiss My Lucky Egg (15/2), Ciankyle (8/1), Across The Ocean (17/2), Resilient Front (9/1), Signora Di Milano (10/1), Wee Jerry (12/1), Sally's Cave (20/1), Military Hill (25/1), Queen Kulina (25/1), O'Faolains Glory (25/1), Castle Arms Casa (40/1)

MORRICONE finished well held from his much higher British mark at Bangor on Wednesday yet he'd marked himself down as one to keep firmly on side when successful over shorter here previously and he's well worth siding with to resume progress now. Mr Social rates the chief threat, with Resilient Front and Signora di Milano a couple of handicap debutantes to note in the betting for clues.