14:12 Downpatrick

Friday 18 September 2026

All13:3714:1214:4715:2215:5716:2817:0217:37

Randox Handicap Hurdle

4YO plus | 2m 1f 165y | 12 Runners | Turf

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Phillip Enright| T: J Fahey| OR: 110

Lightly raced over hurdles but won a maiden at Tramore last summer (wore hood). Hasn't shown much in a pair of handicaps in this sphere since, though and difficult to make a case for him unless the market was to suddenly speak in his favour.

Form: 518-7

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Portnacoo²¹²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: Donagh Meyler| T: H Smyth| OR: 106| CD

12/1

A 4-time winner in 2024/25 who didn’t offer much encouragement last season, but he has rejoined the Smyth yard since last seen and is now on a workable mark. His record fresh is mixed at best, though he’ll be worth noting in the betting with Donagh Meyler booked.

Form: 74PU94-

Gone For Tea²⁶⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: Conor Stone-Walsh| T: N C Kelly| OR: 104

16/1

Won a bumper and mares handicap hurdle for Peter Fajer but showed nothing in 2 starts for Ian Donoghue last season. Plenty to prove starting out for another new yard.

Form: 3010/PP-

Chantilly Wings^t²³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Jordan Gainford| T: C Collins| OR: 103

7/2

Fair maiden hurdler who has finished in the frame on all 3 starts this season, shaping as if still in form but stretched by longer trip when 12¼ lengths fourth of 14 to Thesilverbridle in extended 2½m maiden at Bellewstown on latest. His opening mark demands improvement, though.

Form: 345-234

Dairy Force^h¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: James Smith⁽⁵⁾| T: G Elliott| OR: 103| BF

7/1

Without a win since hurdling debut (when trained by Liam O'Brien) but has enjoyed a good spell this summer, runner-up twice and a creditable third of 6 at Tramore in August. Let down by jumping next time and not so good last time. A clear round needed if he's to be involved at the finish.

Form: 2253F6

Quint Major⁴⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Daniel King| T: M A Molloy| OR: 103

7/1

Fairly useful bumper winner in 2024. Below that level over hurdles but took a step back in the right direction when 7½ lengths fifth of 11 to Gino Bella in handicap at Cork last month. Capable of being involved.

Form: 3/040-75

Earl Neigh^t⁴⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Philip Donovan| T: A Slattery| OR: 102

28/1

Has never stood much racing and didn't show anything to make him of interest in a trio of handicaps since returning in May.

Form: 5/36-P00

Lilac Lady^t⁴³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Alan King⁽⁷⁾| T: M M McNiff| OR: 102

10/1

Front runner who responded well to a tongue strap when finally off the mark at Sligo last month but failed to back that up off 7 lb higher mark and when taken on for the lead over the same C&D next time.

Form: 53-2417

Beggars Rock^b,t¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Kevin Sexton| T: Ian Donoghue| OR: 100| CD

9/4

Has bounced back to form of late winning handicap chases at Wexford and at this course in August, beating Presenting Lad by 4¾ lengths at this track on latest. Reverts to hurdling off much lower hurdles mark and looks up to completing the hat-trick.

Form: 63-6011

Derry Lad^t²⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: J J Slevin| T: Kevin Coleman| OR: 98| BF

9/1

Maiden hurdler who finished second in a novice handicap here on return last season before finishing down the field in a handicap at Punchestown just 4 days later. Has struggled to rediscover his best form on the Flat this year, though, and looks up against it now back over hurdles.

Form: 07F8/29-

Viceregent²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: Mr E P Powell⁽⁷⁾| T: L Lennon| OR: 98

40/1

Dual Flat winner who was placed several times in early days over hurdles but has been lightly raced and made little in this sphere in recent times, including on return for new yard last month.

Form: 4650P/0

Calm Flight Ahead^b³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-7| J: Shane O'Callaghan⁽³⁾| T: P J Rothwell| OR: 91| D

9/2

Left previous hurdling efforts well behind when routing a 13-runner handicap at Sligo last month by 12 lengths from Fremantle Doctor. That form is proving solid and, while a 12 lb rise clearly demands further progress, he must be high on the shortlist.

Form: 0000-P1

Forecasts

Beggars Rock (5/2), Calm Flight Ahead (10/3), Lilac Lady (7/1), Derry Lad (7/1), Dairy Force (15/2), Chantilly Wings (15/2), Quint Major (8/1), Earl Neigh (33/1), Viceregent (33/1), Migdam (33/1), Portnacoo (33/1), Gone For Tea (50/1)

BEGGARS ROCK arrives chasing a hat-trick after a pair of wins over fences, including at this track, and is taken to exploit his lower hurdles mark. Calm Flight Ahead was much improved when scoring at Sligo last time and rates the chief threat despite a 12 lb rise, while Quint Major has shown signs of a revival and is also respected.