April 02 / 15.25 Downpatrick

15.25

Yielding To Soft

Toals Bookmakers Mares Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £5743.36
  • 2m 2f 165y
  • 12 runners
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Toals Bookmakers Mares Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

9/2 (Won)

  • Win: £9.50
  • Place: £2.60

Form: 065841

Last run: 31 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
Improving mare, building on encouraging hurdles debut to comfortably land 2m Clonmel mares maiden last month (third home Tipp For Mac runs in 2.50) on soft; opening mark looks okay and quite likely has plenty more to offer; big player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

8

25th Apr 2024

Yielding To Soft

2m 3f 100y

18:22 Wexford

Soldaro

11st 7lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: Gavin Cromwell

towards rear early, midfield when not fluent 6th

9/1

2nd

8

25th Apr 2024

Yielding To Soft

2m 3f 100y

18:22 Wexford

Soldaro

11st 7lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: Gavin Cromwell

towards rear

9/1

7/1

  • Place: £1.40

Form: 7-7F53 BF

Last run: 28 days

W: 10st 9lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Ran well for a long way before final flight fall at Punchestown and finished her race out well on handicap debut at Clonmel; quicker ground may not have suited when front-running third in recent Wexford maiden and greater stamina test could play to her strengths.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

8

24th Oct 2024

Good To Soft

2m 1f 33y

Class 3

15:30 Carlisle

Parvos

11st 6lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Sandy Thomson

held up in rear, mistake and pecked on landing 1st, steady headway from 3 out, switched right when bit short of room approaching last, pressed leader and kept on run-in, no extra final strides

20/1

2nd

6

23rd Jun 2024

Good

2m 4f 28y

Class 4

16:18 Hexham

Parvos

11st 3lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Sandy Thomson

Came good for Sandy Thomson at third attempt, with comfortable win at Sedgefield (2m1f, soft) in February, and put a lesser run behind her when close at fourth at Cartmel (2m1f, good to soft) last month; this move back up in trip will suit; may yet have a bigger run in her.

7/1

OUR TIP

8/1

  • Place: £4.30

Form: /15P43

Last run: 154 days

W: 11st 10lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Punchestown maiden winner last May subsequently ran okay when pitched straight into handicap company at Galway and returned from chasing when fair third in Wexford mares' contest in October on heavy ground; cheekpieces now tried on return from winter break, ideally wants better ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

1st Jun 2024

Good

2m 4f 80y

16:50 Listowel

Return To Base

11st 9lb

J: Kevin Sexton

T: Gordon Elliott

Just over a year ago she won a Downpatrick handicap off 5lb lower (they also claimed 7lb) on yielding ground and she doesn't want it any softer than that, which excuses her poor latest effort; better expected here but it's a stretch to call her well handicapped.

20/1

0

2

26th Dec 2023

Soft

2m 4f 0y

14:08 Limerick

Return To Base

11st 9lb

J: Carl Millar

T: Gordon Elliott

Dual winning hurdler; didn't seem to get home over 2m6f at Ballinrobe in September when last seen; useful 7lb taken off her back here and not one to discount.

8/1

Form: 633312 BF

Last run: 30 days

W: 10st 6lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Won a fillies' juvenile maiden at Hereford in February (good) before narrow defeat in what was effectively a match at Doncaster the following month; withdrawn since due to heavy ground and this ground could be testing enough.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

9

14th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 116y

16:47 Clonmel

Circus Act

10st 8lb

J: Gavin Brouder

T: J A Nash

Won for the second time over hurdles when taking a Down Royal handicap last year; not bad efforts over hurdles and on the Flat lately but needs a fair bit more.

18/1

4th

9

(1)

3rd May 2026

Good

1m 5f 190y

15:22 Sligo

Circus Act

9st 7lb

J: Darragh O’Sullivan

T: J A Nash

Second runner for James Nash; dual-purpose mare has won twice over hurdles; maiden in this sphere but her fourth to You Make Me Smile in last year's renewal was one of her best Flat runs and she has a nice pull at the weights; place chance.

10/1

5th

2

12th Apr 2026

Good

2m 3f 170y

14:30 Down Royal

Circus Act

11st 2lb

J: Peter Smithers

T: J A Nash

Won her second hurdle race when winning this race a year ago off 2lb lower; has only run four times between the Flat and hurdles since; should run well with a repeat of best; ground-versatile.

11/2

Form: 00063-

Last run: 391 days

W: 10st 12lb

5 yo Mare

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Winner on the Flat for Hugo Palmer and took a definite step forward over hurdles last time when strong-finishing third behind two more experienced sorts in 2m Leopardstown handicap a year ago; slightly longer trip here to suit and should go close but has been off over a year.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

4

18th Aug 2023

Good

2m 0f 0y

18:08 Tramore

Queenie Newall

11st 7lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: Gavin Cromwell

Big chance on Leopardstown third to close out two seasons ago; not at that level this year, albeit not disgraced; quite eye-catching she is finally back at 2m; each-way chance.

14/1

7th

5

8th Jul 2023

Good

2m 4f 0y

19:30 Bellewstown

Queenie Newall

11st 11lb

J: Kieren Buckley

T: Gavin Cromwell

Flat winner in UK; went close at Leopardstown last year off a similar mark and has returned with two respectable efforts; should go well.

10/1

8th

11

19th May 2023

Good

2m 2f 165y

17:30 Downpatrick

Queenie Newall

11st 5lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: Gavin Cromwell

Flat winner in UK; went close at Leopardstown last year and it wasn't a bad return over C&D last month; should have improved from that and a player today.

9/2

Form: 005116 D

Last run: 9 days

W: 10st 6lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Well placed over the winter to win handicaps at Kelso and Newcastle, hampered last time when not appearing to get home over 2m4f at Musselburgh; trip/ground to suit and one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

11th Nov 2024

Good

2m 3f 210y

Class 5

15:05 Carlisle

Maimies Magic

11st 11lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: S R B Crawford

Two hurdle wins, at 2m2f and 2m1f, and has form over 2m6f; below best under conditions that should have suited in March and rather hard to know what to expect now sent over fences with tongue-tie left off.

9/2

Form: 4211UB

Last run: 16 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
Went close in maidens here before wins last August at Sligo and Cartmel; brought down on last month's comeback run at Down Royal; ideally wants better ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

13th Oct 2024

Good

3m 0f 0y

16:55 Cork

Bella Bliss

11st 10lb

J: Alex Harvey

T: John C McConnell

In decent form over hurdles and fences this year and only 1lb higher than for latest gallant second in a 2m5f handicap chase at Roscommon; stays this far.

9/2

2

30th Sep 2024

Yielding To Soft

2m 5f 147y

17:45 Roscommon

Bella Bliss

11st 7lb

J: Alex Harvey

T: John C McConnell

In decent form over hurdles and fences this year; has been runner-up on her last three starts in this discipline including handicaps at Cartmel and Bangor; handles all ground but best on good.

9/2

2nd

6

6th Sep 2024

Good

2m 4f 72y

Class 3

15:20 Bangor-on-Dee

Bella Bliss

11st 3lb

J: Alex Harvey

T: John C McConnell

Good second at Cartmel (2m5f, good) on latest chase start in June and placed in big-field handicap hurdles on next two outings; below form when tried in cheekpieces (now removed) for latest hurdling start but has a significant role to play if all goes to plan here.

9/2

Form: 805567

Last run: 31 days

W: 10st 7lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Twice placed over longer distances in the early part of the season for the late Andy Lynch; recent form has been over inadequate 2m and this trip could still be on the short side.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

10th Apr 2026

Good

2m 3f 188y

Class 4

14:32 Sedgefield

Park Hind

10st 13lb

J: Mr Sam Burton

T: Victor Thompson

Point winner who is 0-20 under rules; pulled up on her last three starts, most recently over fences in February.

33/1

4

24th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 145y

Class 5

15:00 Catterick

Park Hind

11st 8lb

J: Miss Pippa Brown

T: Victor Thompson

Won a point last April and makes her chase debut today; however, she was pulled up over hurdles later last April to make it 0-19 under rules, and it was the same outcome in a point in November; others have less to prove.

25/1

Form: 70/P-0 D

Last run: 140 days

W: 11st 3lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Flat/hurdles winner for Noel Meade early in her career and later won a Flat handicap for Gavin Cromwell; first start for current yard and ground no problem but lack of a recent run could be.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

2

(2)

18th Oct 2023

Yielding

1m 6f 0y

17:05 Navan

Harvest Bow

10st 0lb

J: Keithen Kennedy

T: H D McGuigan

Doesn't look as good as she used to be and this year is turning into a real struggle.

50/1

12th

6

(13)

5th Oct 2023

Soft

2m 0f 0y

16:50 Thurles

Harvest Bow

9st 11lb

J: Adam Caffrey

T: H D McGuigan

Just over two years since 1m7f Leopardstown win for Gavin Cromwell; no apparent chance on recent form.

25/1

8th

11

(7)

25th Sep 2023

Soft

1m 4f 175y

17:20 Down Royal

Harvest Bow

9st 1lb

J: Dylan Browne McMonagle

T: H D McGuigan

Just over two years since 1m7f Leopardstown win for Gavin Cromwell; no apparent chance on recent form.

25/1

Form: F136P0 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 9lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
Won a bumper and Kilbeggan maiden hurdle on good ground last summer; both recent efforts have been on slower ground when well held in handicaps so ground concerns persist here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

12

6th Aug 2023

Good

3m 0f 60y

14:20 Galway

Country Queen

10st 13lb

J: Danny Gilligan

T: Gordon Elliott

Both wins have been on good ground and trip-versatile on her ground; poor Bellewstown effort in first-time cheekpieces but headgear persisted with; won't want too much rain.

14/1

9th

9

8th Jul 2023

Good

3m 0f 0y

20:00 Bellewstown

Country Queen

11st 0lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Gordon Elliott

Both wins have been on good ground and on good to yielding she was a 6l third at Punchestown last month; first-time cheekpieces go on and respected granted suitable conditions.

8/1

3rd

7

11th Jun 2023

Good

2m 7f 140y

17:00 Punchestown

Country Queen

11st 0lb

J: Corey McGivern

T: Gordon Elliott

Won a bumper and Kilbeggan maiden hurdle on good ground last summer; both recent efforts have been on slower ground when well held in handicaps so this looks more suitable.

20/1

Form: 384795

Last run: 28 days

W: 10st 6lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Some promise in bumpers and when fourth on hurdling debut at Tramore in December; hasn't really progressed however, running a bit in snatches last time over 2m4f, staying on well; not sure this drop in trip will suit.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

2nd Apr 2023

Yielding To Soft

2m 2f 165y

15:25 Downpatrick

Glen Na Tara

10st 6lb

J: P J O’Hanlon

T: P J Rothwell

midfield, fell 2nd

12/1

5th

12

5th Mar 2023

Yielding

2m 4f 0y

15:45 Leopardstown

Glen Na Tara

10st 8lb

J: Donagh Meyler

T: P J Rothwell

Some promise in bumpers and when fourth on hurdling debut at Tramore behind Gaoth Chuil; well below that form last twice and best watched for the moment.

25/1

9th

8

25th Jan 2023

Soft To Heavy

2m 3f 110y

14:53 Fairyhouse

Glen Na Tara

11st 7lb

J: James O’Sullivan

T: P J Rothwell

Some promise in bumpers and when fourth on hurdling debut at Tramore; well below that form on a more recent Tramore run.

25/1

Form: /4-665

Last run: 117 days

W: 10st 4lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Point-to-point winner for Colin Bowe; hasn't set the world alight in maiden hurdles, invariably when racing up with pace; drops in trip here for handicap debut and may yet improve.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

8

12th Nov 2023

Soft

2m 4f 0y

11:40 Naas

Jenny Flex

11st 0lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Gordon Elliott

midfield, headway and in touch with leaders halfway

8/1

3rd

6

26th Oct 2023

Heavy

2m 4f 156y

16:55 Clonmel

Jenny Flex

11st 5lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Gordon Elliott

raced in second, mistake 8th

11/4

1st

12

6th Oct 2023

Yielding To Soft

2m 3f 55y

16:45 Downpatrick

Jenny Flex

11st 5lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Gordon Elliott

midfield early, prominent before 2nd, went second before 3rd, led narrowly 4th, jumped slightly left going best 2 out, soon clear, reduced lead towards finish, always doing enough

9/2

Non-runners

Country Queen, Jenny Flex

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €34.50
Straight Forecast €29.94
Tricast €295.68
Trifecta €303.30

Selections

RP Ratings (IRE):

Circus Act

POSTDATA:

Glen Na Tara

SPOTLIGHT:

Queenie Newall

The Irish Sun:

Return To Base

TOPSPEED:

Circus Act