September 16 / 14.25 Downpatrick

14.25

Yielding

C R Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £5453.78
  • 2m 2f 165y
  • 15 runners
RTV
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C R Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 15 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly sunny

9/2 (Won)

  • Win: £5.00
  • Place: £1.90

Form: -12421

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Has taken his form to a new level over fences this term and gained a third chase win at Cartmel last month; couldn't capitalise on his much lower hurdle mark at Bellewstown in July but worth giving another chance to back in this sphere.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

16th

3

14th Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 46y

14:35 Punchestown

Hereditary Rule

11st 8lb

J: Dylan Kidd

T: John C McConnell

Badly out of form in eight runs since winning at Punchestown festival in 2023; pulled up at Listowel last time; impossible to recommend.

50/1

4

25th Sep 2025

Yielding

2m 0f 0y

16:00 Listowel

Hereditary Rule

11st 10lb

J: Dylan Kidd

T: John C McConnell

Poor over hurdles and fences when last seen in 2024; not easy to fancy after a long absence.

50/1

16/1

  • Place: £2.70

Form: 262103 CD

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 8lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Got off the mark in a maiden hurdle here in July and bounced back from a lesser run at Galway when third back here last month; not obviously well treated but first-time cheekpieces may help.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

7

10th Oct 2023

Yielding

2m 0f 140y

14:25 Punchestown

Diamondinthemud

11st 7lb

J: Danny Mullins

T: Nigel Thomas Slevin

Maiden hurdle winner last year has been below form in handicaps the last twice (beaten when unseated at Listowel) and needs his best.

20/1

0

2

23rd Sep 2023

Yielding To Soft

2m 4f 0y

15:55 Listowel

Diamondinthemud

12st 0lb

J: Carl Millar

T: Nigel Thomas Slevin

prominent, led after 3rd, headed after 2 out (usual 3 out), weakening when badly hampered by faller and unseated last (usual 2 out)

18/1

7th

7

23rd Aug 2023

Good

2m 4f 141y

19:10 Sligo

Diamondinthemud

11st 4lb

J: Sean Flanagan

T: Nigel Thomas Slevin

Last four runs have been over fences; best hurdles form last season was at Downpatrick, soundly beaten over fences at that venue last time.

14/1

8/1

  • Place: £2.80

Form: 646425

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Sole win in 25 starts came on Flat (0-9 over timber); placed in a couple of handicap hurdles this summer but below par last time at Sligo; tough ask here in a more competitive heat and others seem on better marks.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

3

11th Jun 2023

Good

2m 0f 47y

Class 4

14:25 Perth

Ballinlough Gale

11st 11lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Gordon Elliott

midfield, not fluent 4th

11/2

5th

7

30th May 2023

Good

2m 0f 40y

19:00 Ballinrobe

Ballinlough Gale

11st 3lb

J: Danny Gilligan

T: Gordon Elliott

Only 1-31 overall and 0-15 as a hurdler; however, it's still early days with Gordon Elliott and he hit the frame here four weeks ago off this mark, albeit finishing some 13l off the winner; needs to find extra from somewhere.

7/1

3rd

4

2nd May 2023

Yielding

2m 0f 139y

17:48 Ballinrobe

Ballinlough Gale

11st 10lb

J: Danny Gilligan

T: Gordon Elliott

Fair sort on the Flat is 0-14 hurdling although went close off this sort of mark on a few occasions last summer on this sort of ground; two most recent efforts well below his best so needs to bounce back but quite possible given the drying ground.

7/1

OUR TIP

Form: 3-242

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
Improved from debut when a 3l runner-up here in May and two good runs in defeat here subsequently in maiden hurdle company; not a bad opening mark for handicap debut and one to consider with first-time tongue-tie on.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

17th Jul 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

17:40 Worcester

Wee Willie Nail

11st 5lb

J: Mr Sam Burton

T: Richard Harper

Lightly raced in recent years and has been disappointing since winning an Irish maiden hurdle in 2022; hard to make a case for.

100/1

8

1st Jul 2025

Good To Firm

2m 3f 98y

Class 4

20:18 Stratford

Wee Willie Nail

10st 3lb

J: James Best

T: Richard Harper

Hasn't had a lot of racing in recent years and has been disappointing since winning an Irish maiden hurdle in 2022; hard to make a case for.

66/1

6th

3

17th Jun 2025

Good

2m 0f 213y

Class 5

15:13 Stratford

Wee Willie Nail

11st 12lb

J: James Best

T: Richard Harper

Lightly raced and very disappointing since Irish maiden hurdle win in 2022; well beaten when back under rules at Warwick (3m, good) a fortnight ago; drops sharply back in trip here.

40/1

Form: 581221 C

Last run: 18 days

W: 12st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Winner at Sligo earlier in the summer and gained compensation for a couple of narrow defeats with a win over a bit further here last month; that was a career best and there's probably still more to come; nothing wrong with 6lb rise.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

7

12th Jul 2026

Good

3m 1f 121y

16:35 Sligo

Sphagnum

11st 2lb

J: Mr J P Sampson

T: J P Broderick

Lost his form badly after winning the Cork National in 2024, but bounced back over 3m2f here (good) last time in first-time blinkers when runner-up after idling when leading (1.75l ahead of Je Suis); form of that race is questionable, but he has a notably low hurdles mark if he can repeat that effort.

7/1

2nd

8

9th Jun 2026

Good

3m 1f 170y

19:30 Sligo

Sphagnum

11st 11lb

J: Mr J P Sampson

T: J P Broderick

Lost his form badly after winning the Cork National in 2024 and is hard to fancy on recent poor hurdle runs; blinkers replace cheekpieces.

33/1

11th

2

12th Apr 2026

Good

3m 0f 0y

15:35 Down Royal

Sphagnum

12st 0lb

J: Dillon Maxwell

T: J P Broderick

Much better chaser, winning 3m4f Cork National last season (good); holds a whopping 30lb lower hurdles mark but unable to capitalise on it in three runs over timber this season; must be kept in mind considering his mark.

20/1

Form: 65-F08

Last run: 18 days

W: 10st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
24-race maiden; well held here last time and best form over shorter trips than this.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

9

28th Aug 2023

Good

2m 3f 55y

16:55 Downpatrick

Lesssaidthebetter

10st 9lb

J: Simon Torrens

T: P J Rothwell

Winning pointer but a longstanding maiden under rules (0-24 hurdles, 0-9 chasing); overall profile strikes a note of caution but a breakthrough is not out of the question; the outcome could hinge on his ability to reverse Tramore form with Brehon Star who beat him quite handily there; 6lb better off and blinkered for the first time.

4/1

2nd

15

20th Aug 2023

Yielding

1m 7f 150y

14:45 Tramore

Lesssaidthebetter

10st 0lb

J: Phillip Enright

T: P J Rothwell

midfield, jumped right and bumped rival 1st, hampered by faller when left in third 5th, went second before 2 out, challenging approaching last, went clear with winner run-in, kept on

14/1

Form: 5P-FP6

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 10lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Won twice over hurdles in Britain for Fergal O'Brien but struggled for this yard so far, pulled up twice and tailed off last time; tongue-tie now tried.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

13

7th Mar 2026

Heavy

2m 4f 0y

15:43 Gowran Park

Ordered Lives

10st 0lb

J: Michael Kenneally

T: Martin Paul Fitzgerald

Dual winner when trained in Britain; best Irish run when third over 3m at Listowel in June 2024; two poor efforts followed; interesting that in-form handler keeps veteran mare in training after absence and leading claimer is booked for return; watch betting; 5lb wrong.

25/1

10th

13

30th Aug 2024

Yielding

2m 0f 190y

16:30 Wexford

Ordered Lives

11st 6lb

J: Mr D M Fitzgerald

T: Martin Paul Fitzgerald

Dual winner when trained in Britain; best Irish run when third over 3m at Listowel in June, no trace of that form over same trip last time; hood on last twice, goes without it here over much shorter trip.

16/1

13th

8

4th Jul 2024

Good To Yielding

3m 0f 0y

20:00 Tipperary

Ordered Lives

11st 7lb

J: Mr D M Fitzgerald

T: Martin Paul Fitzgerald

Dual winner in Britain back in 2021; better for first-time hood when third at Listowel although was 6l behind reopposing runner-up Annie Questions on that occasion.

15/2

25/1

Form: -04680 CD

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 2lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
No show on the Flat at Laytown last time and struggling over jumps previously, including when tailed off at Sligo on last hurdle start.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14

1st Jun 2024

Soft

2m 5f 180y

17:45 Tramore

Ciankyle

10st 10lb

J: Brian Hayes

T: P Cluskey

towards rear, jumped left 4th, detached 5 out

22/1

5th

9

10th May 2024

Good

2m 3f 100y

19:20 Downpatrick

Ciankyle

11st 0lb

J: Sean Flanagan

T: P Cluskey

soon chased clear leader, lost second 4th

25/1

5th

9

10th May 2024

Good

2m 3f 100y

19:20 Downpatrick

Ciankyle

11st 0lb

J: Sean Flanagan

T: P Cluskey

soon chased clear leader, lost second 4th

25/1

Form: 9-2610 C

Last run: 11 days

W: 11st 6lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
Dual course winner last year and went close here in May; got his head back in front at Sligo on his penultimate outing but he was tailed off at Galway last week; not discounted back at this venue.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

4

28th May 2024

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 75y

19:00 Ballinrobe

Willyouwalkwithme

11st 11lb

J: Shane Fitzgerald

T: H Smyth

Three of his four wins have been at Downpatrick but poor comeback run at same track on Friday leaves him with questions to answer.

25/1

14th

4

28th May 2024

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 75y

19:00 Ballinrobe

Willyouwalkwithme

11st 11lb

J: Shane Fitzgerald

T: H Smyth

Three of his four wins have been at Downpatrick but poor comeback run at same track on Friday leaves him with questions to answer.

25/1

15th

5

24th May 2024

Good

2m 2f 185y

17:35 Downpatrick

Willyouwalkwithme

11st 11lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: H Smyth

Three of his four wins have been here; some solid runs in defeat last year but disappointing when last seen; still, can run well fresh so has to be respected.

11/1

Form: 10-528 BF

Last run: 68 days

W: 12st 0lb

5 yo Mare

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Now 2-18; both wins over hurdles at Sligo last term; good run when beaten roughly 1l here in June (2m3f, good to yielding) and ran well on the Flat a week later but struggled back over timber at Sligo last time; freshened up since and not on a bad mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

30th Jul 2025

Good

2m 0f 110y

18:05 Galway

Red Ball Of Fire

10st 5lb

J: Alan King

T: Mark Michael McNiff

All three wins over hurdles at Sligo but only one success since 2021 and she's been off 276 days; tough ask given her record fresh.

40/1

12

27th Jun 2025

Good

1m 4f 0y

20:30 Curragh

Red Ball Of Fire

11st 9lb

T: Mark Michael McNiff

Three hurdle wins but is a maiden on the Flat and has to find improvement off a break.

28/1

6th

12

27th Oct 2024

Yielding To Soft

2m 0f 11y

16:13 Galway

Red Ball Of Fire

11st 0lb

J: Philip Donovan

T: Mark Michael McNiff

prominent, outpaced approaching last, kept on, not reach leaders

12/1

Form: 4647-7

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 5lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Dual winner on the Flat in claimers; has shown ability over hurdles without making the frame but he was tailed off on yard debut in a maiden hurdle at Cartmel last month.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

16th May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 1f 0y

15:15 Wexford

Gamigin

11st 13lb

J: Mr O McGill

T: Noel C Kelly

Three-time hurdles winner returned to form when runner-up at Down Royal (2m1, soft, 7-2 fav') in final start for Gary McGill in January; unfancied and well beaten in two runs for new yard; may go well back in 0-100 company now.

10/1

6th

4

29th Mar 2026

Yielding To Soft

2m 1f 165y

15:17 Downpatrick

Gamigin

11st 3lb

J: Carl Millar

T: Noel C Kelly

Three-time hurdles winner returned to form when second of 11 finishers at Down Royal (2m1f, soft) in January off 3lb lower; weak in the market for Ayr run last time, weakening quickly to finish last of six finishers; in the mix at his best.

9/2

6th

6

7th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

15:20 Ayr

Gamigin

11st 2lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Noel C Kelly

Has won three times, including over C&D two years ago when trained by current handler, who has taken over once more after eight starts for Gary McGill; returned to form when second of 11 finishers at Down Royal (2m1f, soft) in January and this Irish-trained challenger should be in the firing line.

7/2

Form: -63142

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 3lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Got off the mark with a hurdle win at Bellewstown in July and solid runs in defeat twice since; up another 2lb and should be involved if he takes to this track.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

2

3rd Oct 2024

Yielding

3m 0f 147y

16:55 Clonmel

Inforapenny

12st 0lb

J: Peter Smithers

T: Mark Fahey

Both hurdle wins have been at Bellewstown over 2m4f, latest there in July; well beaten there since and over fences last time so questions now.

14/1

7th

6

6th Sep 2024

Good To Yielding

2m 4f 40y

18:15 Kilbeggan

Inforapenny

11st 12lb

J: Peter Smithers

T: Mark Fahey

Both wins have come at Bellewstown, including in July, none too fluent there last week off 102; good Clonmel beginners chase second earlier in the summer but more likely needed here.

16/1

10th

2

28th Aug 2024

Good To Yielding

2m 4f 110y

17:18 Bellewstown

Inforapenny

12st 0lb

J: Ricky Doyle

T: Mark Fahey

Both wins have come over C&D; went up 5lb for his latest head win last month and has leading claims for his in-form stable.

3/1

Form: 5-7605

Last run: 42 days

W: 11st 9lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
No wins since 2019 and inconsistent in recent times; ran okay when fifth over fences last time but probably best watched back over timber.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

22

4th Mar 2023

Good To Yielding

2m 4f 0y

15:10 Navan

Callthebarman

10st 9lb

J: Gearoid Brouder

T: Neill McCluskey

Course winner in 2019; no sign of the form that made him a five-time winner (three over hurdles, two over fences) for Gavin Cromwell.

66/1

13th

1

23rd Feb 2023

Good

2m 0f 70y

16:50 Thurles

Callthebarman

12st 0lb

J: Sarah Kavanagh

T: Neill McCluskey

Five-time winner for Gavin Cromwell back in the day; never really seen at his best for Matthew Smith after almost two years on the sidelines; best watched on debut for a new stable.

14/1

5

16th Sep 2022

Yielding

2m 2f 165y

14:25 Downpatrick

Callthebarman

11st 9lb

J: B J Cooper

T: Matthew J Smith

raced lazily, in rear, pushed along briefly, pushed along briefly after 2nd, not fluent 5th, soon reminders and no impression, pulled up before 4 out

16/1

Form: 2066-P

Last run: 109 days

W: 10st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
A 16-race maiden; really struggling when last seen and best watched on return from 109 days off; yard debut with first-time tongue-tie on.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

18

21st Dec 2022

Yielding

2m 6f 110y

14:37 Fairyhouse

Rightful Mind

10st 12lb

J: Conor McNamara

T: S McParlan

Second reserve; maiden after 17 starts was pulled-up last twice over hurdles and isn't easy to fancy.

13

16th Sep 2022

Yielding

2m 2f 165y

14:25 Downpatrick

Rightful Mind

10st 8lb

J: Mike O’Connor

T: S McParlan

in rear, detached when slow jump 4th, no impression when slow jump 4 out, tailed off when pulled up before last

66/1

Form: 9000

Last run: 25 days

W: 10st 3lb

5 yo Mare

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Shown nothing in four starts including handicap debut last time; hard to recommend.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

17

1st Oct 2022

Good

2m 4f 0y

14:52 Gowran Park

Mugsy Delight

11st 3lb

J: Simon Torrens

T: Seamus Fahey

midfield, fell 1st

100/1

14

16th Sep 2022

Yielding

2m 2f 165y

14:25 Downpatrick

Mugsy Delight

10st 3lb

J: Benjamin P Kennedy

T: Seamus Fahey

midfield early, towards rear when ridden and no impression after 4 out, tailed off when ran out before last

66/1

10th

13

2nd Aug 2022

Good To Yielding

2m 4f 198y

19:00 Roscommon

Mugsy Delight

11st 5lb

J: Kevin Sexton

T: Seamus Fahey

in rear, going okay but behind after 10th, pushed along before 3 out, soon beaten

33/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €47.60
Straight Forecast €36.69
Tricast €290.34
Trifecta €495.00

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Hereditary Rule

The Irish Sun:

Inforapenny

POSTDATA:

Ballinlough Gale

RP Ratings (IRE):

Hereditary Rule