15:55 Downpatrick

Monday 31 August 2026

All14:1214:4715:2215:5516:2917:0417:39

AJC Group Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:55 | Winning time: 5m 22.40s

Bruant^t1²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Kevin Sexton| T: A J Martin| OR: 110| C

3/1

Came in for some support when winning here in May. Back in that form when second of 8 in handicap at Sligo (21f, good) 25 days ago. Tongue strap on first time. Considered.

Form: 1P0-102

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Kashchei^p⁶²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Kevin Healy⁽⁷⁾| T: C Collins| OR: 110

12/1

Left with a simple task as he opened his account in 21f Kelso novice hurdle in May. Let down by his jumping switched to fences at Wexford the following month. Freshened up ahead of this handicap debut from a mark which demands improvement.

Form: 6753-1P

Cozone^b,t⁷⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-11| J: James Smith⁽⁵⁾| T: M J Smith| OR: 109| CD

9/2

Took advantage of a much-reduced mark in a 14-runner event over C&D in March and regained the winning thread back here (2¼m, good to firm) in June, staying on to lead final 100 yds having lost momentum briefly last. 8 lb higher but can feature.

Form: 08/16-31

Shinnhill²²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Eoghan Finegan⁽⁵⁾| T: N McKnight| OR: 108| C

9/1

Course maiden hurdle winner in summer 2024. Very lightly raced since but latest second of 5 in a conditions hurdle shows that he retains all his ability.

Form: 471/7-P2

Seven Towers^t1¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: Keith Donoghue| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 107

7/1

Didn't need to improve to win 8-runner maiden hurdle at Sligo (21f, good, 15/8) 12 days ago but still brings unexposed potential to this handicap debut with a tongue strap added.

Form: 63-3391

Penzance^p,t¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Harry Sexton⁽⁷⁾| T: J J Hanlon| OR: 105

9/1

Creditable fourth of 8 in maiden hurdle at Tramore (17f, good) 15 days ago. Significantly up in trip.

Form: 422204

Tolka Row^t1¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Sean Flanagan| T: D M O'Brien| OR: 103| CD

16/1

Second handicap start when landing 13-runner contest over C&D (good) in July but well beaten at Tramore since. Tongue tied for the first time now returned to Downpatrick.

Form: 872P18

Down Around^b²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: Danny Gilligan| T: G Elliott| OR: 102

6/1

Just second start for Gordon Elliott when winning 7-runner handicap hurdle (7/2) at Ballinrobe (3¼m, good) 21 days ago, driven out. Not taken lightly.

Form: 0236-71

Tell Nobody Nothin^p¹⁰⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Joshua Halford⁽⁷⁾| T: N Meade| OR: 102| C

13/2

Belatedly shed his maiden status over fences in 14-runner handicap at Kilbeggan (2½m, good to soft) in April. Pulled up over fences at Wexford since but well treated back hurdling in refitted cheekpieces.

Form: 63461-P

Love Like This¹²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-3| J: Daniel King| T: J P Ryan| OR: 87

22/1

Winner of handicap hurdle at Kilbeggan in June but hasn't been in the same form in recent starts.

Form: 143040

Non-Runners

Mickey Cohen⁵⁰

Weight: 11-2| Age: 5

T: N Meade J: Donagh Meyler

Forecasts

Bruant (3/1), Cozone (9/2), Down Around (6/1), Tell Nobody Nothin (13/2), Seven Towers (7/1), Penzance (9/1), Shinnhill (9/1), Kashchei (12/1), Mickey Cohen (12/1), Tolka Row (16/1), Love Like This (22/1)

TELL NOBODY NOTHIN was placed off 5 lb higher over hurdles last spring so might be worth chancing now back over the smaller obstacles. Down Around had the run of the race when winning at Ballinrobe last time but could easily have more to come for new trainer Gordon Elliott and is second choice ahead of the other Noel Meade runner Mickey Cohen.