16:30 Downpatrick

Friday 10 October 2025

All14:1314:4815:2315:5816:3017:0517:37

Denis Macauley Memorial Handicap Hurdle (0-100)

Off time: 16:30 | Winning time: 5m 36.00s

Marronstown¹²⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Jordan Gainford| T: D M Christie| OR: 100

25/1

Again ran below form tenth of 18 in handicap chase at Punchestown (24.7f, good) 125 days ago. Switches from chase to hurdles following an absence (has ran well of a break) but remains to be seen if he can capitalise on lower hurdle mark.

Form: 42P3P-0

Joya Del Mar^p³²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr J P Sutton⁽⁷⁾| T: D A McLoughlin| OR: 98

12/1

Ran better back over hurdles when eighth of 19 in handicap hurdle at Galway (22.4f, soft) 32 days ago, going in snatches. In slightly calmers waters here and could be interesting if travelling with more fluency with cheekpieces back on.

Form: 635-PU8

Schiehallion^p⁴²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Patrick M O'Brien⁽⁵⁾| T: D A McLoughlin| OR: 98

11/2

Maiden confirmed return to form and proved as good as ever when second of 11 in handicap hurdle at Down Royal (24f, good to firm) 42 days ago. Back down in trip but can give another good account.

Form: F28P-52

Morell River²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Sean O'Keeffe| T: C Bowe| OR: 91

15/2

Slightly up in trip on handicap debut/first run for new trainer and caught the eye under considerate handling, staying on to finish a never-nearer fourth here (17.8f). Longer trip should suit and one to note if the market hints at an improved showing.

Form: 0760-4

Comeonarchie^t⁶³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Mr J R Martin⁽⁷⁾| T: F G Hand| OR: 90

15/2

Came on for reappearance run but still below form when seventh of 14 in handicap hurdle at Wexford (24f, good to soft, 10/1) 63 days ago. Best efforts have come on soft ground and drops back in trip following a short break. Will need to be back to his best to get off the mark.

Form: 6223-47

Georgia Celena³²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Darragh O'Keeffe| T: J C McConnell| OR: 89| CD

9/1

Capitalised on a reduced mark after 9 months off over C&D in July and continued in good heart prior to falling at the third hurdle at Perth (23.9f, good) 32 days ago. May get back on track if none the worse for that tumble.

Form: 57-133F

Oogum Boogum^p¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Shane Fitzgerald| T: D Budds| OR: 86

6/1

Chased home an improver when second of 19 in handicap hurdle at Galway but not in the same form when fifth of 16 in handicap hurdle at Listowel (22f, good to soft, 11/2) 13 days ago. Claims on his Galway form.

Form: 66-F625

Hitthehayson^p¹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: Conor Stone-Walsh| T: Ian Donoghue| OR: 85

3/1

First run since leaving P. J. Rothwell when 11/2, career best when winning 15-runner handicap hurdle at Roscommon (20.2f, good to soft) 11 days ago, finding plenty in refitted headgear. Could go well again if headgear has same effect.

Form: 0-9P451

Tiny Angel^b1⁴²

Age: 5| Weight: 10-13| J: Simon Torrens| T: N C Kelly| OR: 85

13/2

Placed in back-to-back races over C&D prior to disappointing at Wexford (20.4f, good) 42 days ago, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out. Could be worth another chance with blinkers on first time given previous course form.

Form: 0-4632P

Bella Union^p¹⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 10-10| J: Alex Harvey| T: J C McConnell| OR: 82

12/1

Cheekpieces on for first time (retained) when respectable fifth of 12 in handicap hurdle at Sedgefield (19.8f, good to firm, 4/1) 10 days ago, running on. Maiden races off lower Irish mark here and could be interesting stepping back up in trip, especially if market vibes are strong.

Form: 045-765

Appian Way^p¹¹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-0| J: Ms A Power⁽⁷⁾| T: Ms M Flynn| OR: 72| CD

20/1

C&D winner. Back in fine heart when sixth at Galway but below form 23 lengths ninth of 15 to Hitthehayson in handicap hurdle (12/1) at Roscommon (20.2f, good to soft) 11 days ago. Cheekpieces refitted and that needs to spark improvement.

Form: 09P-669

Non-Runners

Wild Mandate⁵¹

Weight: 11-8| Age: 6

T: M M McNiff J: Phillip Enright

Forecasts

Hitthehayson (3/1), Schiehallion (11/2), Oogum Boogum (6/1), Wild Mandate (6/1), Tiny Angel (13/2), Morell River (15/2), Comeonarchie (15/2), Georgia Celena (9/1), Joya Del Mar (12/1), Bella Union (12/1), Appian Way (20/1), Marronstown (25/1)

WILD MANDATE showed improved form with headgear fitted when second at Sligo and is fancied to progress again over the longer trip. Joya del Mar ran better back over hurdles at Galway and could be the main danger with cheekpieces refitted, while Tiny Angel has solid course form and may be worth another chance in first-time blinkers. Morell River caught the eye on stable debut last time and is one to note for support over the longer trip.