15:28 Downpatrick

Monday 14 July 2025

All14:2814:5815:2815:5816:2816:5817:28

Cosy Group Handicap Hurdle (0-100)

Off time: 15:29 | Winning time: 4m 8.60s

Mount Mandela¹¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: J P O'Sullivan| T: C A McBratney| OR: 100

20/1

Back on track upped in trip with cheekpieces on for first time when fifth of 20 in handicap hurdle at Cork (20f, good to soft, 20/1) on final run for P. J. Rothwell in March. Will need to build on that now dropped in trip on debut for new stable.

Form: 740255-

Noble Hilltop^p³⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr F R Buckley⁽⁷⁾| T: E Buckley| OR: 100

12/1

Creditable efforts in handicaps this time last year but has been below form in both codes of late. On a fair mark on the best of her form but needs to bounce back. Engaged 4.10 Sligo Sunday.

Form: 520F0-9

Tell Us This²⁹²

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Eoin Staples⁽⁷⁾| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 100

7/2

Maiden shaped well in better handicaps last year, most recent respectable fourth of 15 in handicap hurdle at Listowel (18f, soft), faring best of those held up. Dropped 3 lb for that and looks well up to winning a race of this nature if ready to roll after 9 months off.

Form: 0/12074-

Hidalgo Des Mottes^p²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: Sean Cleary-Farrell⁽⁷⁾| T: E Griffin| OR: 94

8/1

Made a good start to the season but ran one of his lesser races when eleventh of 16 in handicap hurdle at Kilbeggan (24.4f, good, 15/2) 28 days ago. Significantly down in trip but no surprise to see him bounce back.

Form: 480-340

Benzine⁴⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Shane Fitzgerald| T: J Morrison| OR: 93

22/1

28/1, eighth of 11 in handicap hurdle at Tramore (16.2f, good to soft) 44 days ago. Looks to be going the wrong way at present.

Form: 6/79P0-8

Forever Frankie^p1⁴⁰⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Danny Mullins| T: Michael G Cleary| OR: 88

18/1

Again ran poorly on final start for Sean Aherne when 15/2, ninth of 14 in handicap hurdle at Kilbeggan (16f, good) last June. Cheekpieces on first time and interesting to see what the market makes of him on debut for new yard following an absence.

Form: 9002/79-

Firstupbestdressed³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Kieren Buckley| T: Conor Maxwell| OR: 86

11/2

Could only match previous form switched to a handicap when 28/1, creditable sixth of 16 in handicap hurdle at Sligo (20.7f, good) 34 days ago. Needs more.

Form: 0-856

Centaq²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-11| J: P J O'Hanlon| T: D A McLoughlin| OR: 83

8/1

Couldn't better previous form in a slowly-run race on handicap debut when creditable sixth of 11 in handicap hurdle at this C&D (good to soft) 29 days ago, unsuited by way race developed. Could do better granted more of a test.

Form: 8-906

Demanding Gerry^t⁵²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-10| J: Kevin Sexton| T: J Fahey| OR: 82

11/2

May have needed run after 6 months off when bit below form fifth of 10 in handicap hurdle (14/1) at this course (18.8f, good) 52 days ago, looking somewhat awkward under pressure. Claims if she can build on that with tongue strap now refitted.

Form: 07667-5

Fire Coral^t⁶⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-3| J: Phillip Enright| T: S Curling| OR: 75

7/2

Unable to build on recent run on final start for C. W. J. Farrell with cheekpieces on for first time in this code, finishing eighth of 11 in handicap hurdle at this C&D (good, 6/1) 66 days ago. Headgear removed on debut for yard who have had a couple of winners this month. Not discounted.

Form: 74846-8

Surviving Murmansk⁴³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-0| J: Sean O'Keeffe| T: J Barcoe| OR: 72

18/1

Longstanding maiden but arrives on the back of one of his better recent efforts, creditable fourth of 9 in handicap hurdle at Kilbeggan (16f, good to soft) 43 days ago. Will need to step forward again.

Form: P04-P44

Non-Runners

Arch Hall⁹³

Weight: 11-13| Age: 5

T: Joseph Murray J: B W Harvey

Sea Of Doubt⁴⁴

Weight: 11-13| Age: 5

T: Ian Donoghue J: Patrick M O'Brien

Ar Nos Na Gaoithe²⁹

Weight: 11-4| Age: 6

T: P J Rothwell J: Tiernan Power Roche

Forecasts

Ar Nos Na Gaoithe (9/4), Tell Us This (7/2), Fire Coral (7/2), Demanding Gerry (11/2), Firstupbestdressed (11/2), Hidalgo Des Mottes (8/1), Centaq (8/1), Sea Of Doubt (8/1), Noble Hilltop (12/1), Forever Frankie (18/1), Surviving Murmansk (18/1), Mount Mandela (20/1), Benzine (22/1), Arch Hall (25/1)

TELL US THIS shaped with encouragement in better handicaps than this last year and he appeals most dropping back down in grade. Fire Coral looks interesting starting out for a stable who have been in good form, while Ar Nos Na Gaoithe quickly bounced back to form here last time and should go well again.