16:18 Downpatrick

Sunday 11 August 2024

All14:1814:4815:1815:4816:1816:4817:18

Randox Maiden Hurdle

Off time: 16:18 | Winning time: 5m 21.60s

Eco Pete^p¹⁰⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Tiernan Power Roche⁽⁷⁾| T: P J Rothwell| OR: 104| C

20/1

Fair hurdler. Remains a maiden after 8 hurdle runs. First run since leaving John McConnell when second of 7 in novice hurdle at this course (18.8f, good, 16/1) 107 days ago.

Form: 44/03P2-

Intense Approach³⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Alex Harvey⁽⁷⁾| T: J C McConnell| BF

11/8

Fairly useful hurdler. Two wins from 5 runs last season. 11/4, in the process of showing much improved form when fell 2 out in novice hurdle at Bellewstown (17.2f, good to firm) 36 days ago. Up in trip. Looks the one to beat.

Form: 211FP-F

The Mediator¹¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Sam Ewing| T: G Elliott

13/2

Fairly useful hurdler. 20/1, creditable fifth of 17 in handicap at Galway (16.5f, good to soft) 11 days ago. Switches from Flat to hurdles. Up in trip.

Form: 325/274-

Anysignofhim⁶⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Liam Quinlan⁽³⁾| T: R Hackett

22/1

Twice-raced maiden. Seventeenth of 22 in novice hurdle (150/1) at Punchestown (19.4f, good) 64 days ago.

Form: 00

Flaxfield^t⁶²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: C L Walsh⁽⁷⁾| T: Paul Mulligan

100/1

Twice-raced maiden. 7/1 and tongue strap on for 1st time, fourth of 7 in bumper at Ayr (16f, good to soft), having run of race. Makes hurdles debut. First run for yard after leaving Nigel Slevin.

Form: 6304/

Punch Perfect⁴⁹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins

15/2

Once-raced maiden. 7/1, fifteenth of 18 in bumper at Fairyhouse (16f, good to soft) on NH debut. Off 16 months. Makes hurdles debut. Significantly up in trip. Probably more to come and worth monitoring in the betting.

Form: 0/

Step Out^t²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: J J Slevin| T: S R B Crawford| BF

2/1

Fair hurdler. Creditable second of 12 in novice hurdle at Perth (20.2f, good, 10/11) 28 days ago, clear of rest. Solid claims.

Form: 20-22U2

Western Ability²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Darragh O'Keeffe| T: D M Christie

11/1

Twice-raced maiden. Third of 10 in novice hurdle at this course (21.8f, good, 66/1) 27 days ago.

Form: PP7R-83

Sights Unseen¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 10-11| J: Miss L Costello⁽⁷⁾| T: S Slevin

125/1

Twice-raced maiden. 50/1, fifth of 13 in novice hurdle at Wexford (20.4f, good to soft) 17 days ago.

Form: 45

Spricklestown¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-11| J: Patrick M O'Brien⁽⁷⁾| T: P Stafford

150/1

Once-raced maiden. Seventh of 15 in bumper at Ballinrobe (15.5f, good, 28/1) on NH debut 19 days ago. Makes hurdles debut. Significantly up in trip.

Form: 7

Evies Court³⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 10-7| J: J S McGarvey| T: N C Kelly| OR: 88

125/1

Lightly-raced maiden. 100/1, last of 10 in handicap hurdle at Bellewstown (20.5f, good to firm) 36 days ago.

Form: U6-000

Forecasts

Intense Approach (11/8), Step Out (2/1), The Mediator (13/2), Punch Perfect (15/2), Western Ability (11/1), Eco Pete (20/1), Anysignofhim (22/1), Flaxfield (100/1), Evies Court (125/1), Sights Unseen (125/1), Spricklestown (150/1)

INTENSE APPPROACH was likely to have played a hand in the finish had he not fallen 2 out at Bellewstown last time and, if he's none the worse for that incident, he should take the beating. Step Out is the obvious danger on form and Punch Perfect could improve for a switched to hurdling.