July 15 / 16.18 Downpatrick

16.18

Good

Randox Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £5607.44
  • 2m 2f 185y
  • 6 runners
RTV
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Randox Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 6 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

OUR TIP

Form: 8824-2

Last run: 67 days

W: 11st 11lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Yet to win but some solid runs in maidens and handicaps, the best of which was runner-up in a 2m6f maiden at this track last time; previously ran well over C&D so has to be respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

3

21st Jul 2026

Good

2m 6f 41y

19:39 Ballinrobe

Fool Me Once

11st 10lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: Gavin Cromwell

Has looked badly out of form in two 2026 outings; maiden, placed twice from 15 starts.

10/1

14th

3

8th May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 5f 180y

17:35 Downpatrick

Fool Me Once

11st 11lb

J: Eoghan Finegan

T: Gavin Cromwell

Has achieved his best form at this venue, namely when twice second (in a maiden and a handicap) in the first half of 2025; moderate form last summer; always behind at Down Royal on return from a break; appears to be the trainer's second string.

14/1

14th

1

17th Mar 2026

Yielding

2m 4f 86y

15:03 Down Royal

Fool Me Once

11st 13lb

J: Tom Buckley

T: Gavin Cromwell

One of two for yard; some fair efforts in defeat last year but pulled up on heavy ground when last seen in November at Fairyhouse; these conditions more suitable, capable off this mark and not dismissed dropped in grade.

18/1

Form: 652-6F C

Last run: 36 days

W: 11st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Maiden hurdle winner over 2m6f at this venue last year and some decent efforts in defeat after in this sphere; fell on second chase start last time; might find this trip a bit sharp.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

4

20th Aug 2026

Good

2m 4f 180y

19:15 Killarney

Ollie La Ba Ba

11st 7lb

J: G B Noonan

T: Eoin Christopher McCarthy

Best of three chase runs was the first at Kilbeggan last year, when sixth of 13; beaten 24l at Clonmel in October off 1lb higher on handicap chase debut; two starts over hurdles since not too encouraging.

14/1

Form: 80-080

Last run: 12 days

W: 11st 4lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Dual hurdle winner hasn't been at his best in a chase and two hurdle starts this year; is getting closer to his last winning mark of 100 though.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

5

4th Oct 2026

Good

2m 4f 180y

16:30 Killarney

Woodstream Lad

11st 12lb

J: Alex Harvey

T: David O’Sullivan

Three-time winner over hurdles and has a bit of chasing experience, but rated 99 in this sphere and won't be good enough here.

25/1

6th

7

25th Sep 2026

Good

2m 2f 125y

14:15 Listowel

Woodstream Lad

11st 6lb

J: Alyse Clarke

T: David O’Sullivan

Last of three wins for Philip Rothwell came at Downpatrick last summer (2m3f); didn't land a blow but not entirely disgraced on yard debut in competitive handicap at Galway festival but good bit more likely required now.

14/1

12th

14

27th Jul 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 130y

17:40 Galway

Woodstream Lad

11st 7lb

J: Shane O’Callaghan

T: David O’Sullivan

Last of three wins for Philip Rothwell came at Downpatrick last summer (2m3f); Clonmel claiming second in May his best recent run; debuts for new yard here.

33/1

Form: 6803-

Last run: 183 days

W: 10st 13lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Dual-purpose maiden ran a solid race on the Flat at Down Royal last time; beaten 15l on handicap hurdle debut at Punchestown in January but could improve on that on this better ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

15th Jul 2025

Good

2m 2f 185y

16:18 Downpatrick

Jarvis Brook

10st 13lb

J: Richard Deegan

T: Paul Nolan

Dual-purpose maiden ran a solid race on the Flat at Down Royal last time; beaten 15l on handicap hurdle debut at Punchestown in January but could improve on that on this better ground.

4/1

4

(11)

21st Jun 2025

Good

1m 4f 207y

17:10 Down Royal

Jarvis Brook

9st 11lb

J: Gary Carroll

T: Paul Nolan

Well-backed on seasonal return but failed to fire at Fairyhouse 45 days ago (1m, good); is 1lb lower since being beaten a short head at Gowran last August (1m1f, good to firm); may come on from last run but needs more.

9/1

10th

4

(7)

7th May 2025

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

20:20 Gowran Park

Jarvis Brook

9st 13lb

J: Ben Coen

T: Paul Nolan

Dual-purpose sort; went closest on the Flat over 1m1.5f at this track last year; needs a repeat on return.

10/1

Form: 302-02

Last run: 37 days

W: 10st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Maiden after 13 hurdle starts but went closest at Punchestown over 2m3f last time off this mark; can be inconsistent but a repeat of that form should see him go close.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

4th Oct 2026

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 3

15:15 Uttoxeter

Divilabother

12st 0lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Tristan Davidson

Fast-improving 8yo when he won four times this summer, including at this track, and he ran respectably when fifth of 11 in Class 2 at Perth ten days ago; tongued tied on last two outings; may need to resume his improvement but he stays and will probably be bang there.

11/2

5th

1

24th Sep 2026

Good

2m 7f 207y

Class 2

15:59 Perth

Divilabother

12st 0lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Tristan Davidson

Fast-improving 8yo who scored at Cartmel (3m1f, good to soft; first-time tongue-tie) last month and has now won four of his last five; latest 4lb rise does not look excessive; commands respect.

5/1

1st

3

31st Aug 2026

Good

3m 1f 83y

Class 2

15:45 Cartmel

Divilabother

11st 13lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Tristan Davidson

In excellent form this season, winning three times on good ground (2m4f-2m7f; once here); last month's clear second at Uttoxeter (2m7f, good) was another career best but he's 5lb higher today and the forecast rain is a likely negative; goes beyond about 3m for first time; tongue-tie added.

11/4

Form: 8-088

Last run: 10 days

W: 10st 0lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
AW Flat winner in UK has been soundly beaten in all four maiden hurdles and has to do much better even dropping to a handicap.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

15th Jul 2025

Good

2m 2f 185y

16:18 Downpatrick

Niigata

10st 0lb

J: Paddy Hanlon

T: John Joseph Hanlon

AW Flat winner in UK has been soundly beaten in all four maiden hurdles and has to do much better even dropping to a handicap.

18/1

9

5th Jul 2025

Good

2m 1f 40y

17:30 Bellewstown

Niigata

11st 0lb

J: Paddy Hanlon

T: John Joseph Hanlon

Regressed on the Flat after a winning debut for the Crisfords; weak hurdles form so far.

25/1

13

2nd Jun 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

14:30 Listowel

Niigata

11st 7lb

J: Paddy Hanlon

T: John Joseph Hanlon

Regressed on the Flat after a winning debut for the Crisfords; tailed off in both runs over hurdles.

50/1

Non-runners

Purse Price

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Jarvis Brook

POSTDATA:

Fool Me Once

RP RATINGS (IRE):

Ollie La Ba Ba

The Irish Sun:

Jarvis Brook