June 17 / 14.20 Downpatrick

14.20

Good

AJC Group Opportunity Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £5743.36
  • 2m 1f 65y
  • 13 runners
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AJC Group Opportunity Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 13 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Scattered showers

12/1 (Won)

  • Win: £4.00
  • Place: £1.50

Form: 156P5-

Last run: 188 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Bumper winner; ran well for a long way on Navan handicap debut in first-time cheekpieces, possibly not quite seeing out 2m6f trip; ran no sort of race before pulled-up when favourite at Thurles; better when fifth at Cork last December; first run since then.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

6

14th Oct 2025

Good

2m 7f 22y

16:36 Punchestown

Moonovercloon

11st 11lb

J: James Smith

T: Matthew J Smith

Hasn't really threatened over fences or over hurdles this year; beaten 12l when fourth at Listowel on latest; dropped another 2lb and blinkers now tried; others make more appeal.

20/1

4th

1

25th Sep 2025

Yielding

2m 4f 0y

16:35 Listowel

Moonovercloon

11st 13lb

J: James Smith

T: Matthew J Smith

Better over fences than hurdles and hasn't been overly threatening in this discipline in last three races; can look a hard ride at times.

20/1

2

27th Aug 2025

Good

2m 4f 110y

18:25 Bellewstown

Moonovercloon

11st 9lb

J: James Smith

T: Matthew J Smith

Better chaser than hurdler; has failed to exploit his lower hurdles mark in races at Wexford (behind Mercury Mission) and Sligo in recent weeks; others preferred.

10/1

9/2

  • Place: £2.10

Form: 1091-4 CD

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 13lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Three-time winner at this venue, the latest success gained last October on his final start before a winter break; good display when fourth here last month on his seasonal debut, one place in front of Tuesday's Sligo winner Bigz Belief.
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

25/1

  • Place: £3.00

Form: 3880-8

Last run: 4 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Fifth in a bumper won by the top-class Marine Nationale at Punchestown early last season; form otherwise undistinguished; made mistakes, including a bad one at the last at Sligo on Tuesday.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

3

13th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

17:50 Punchestown

Joshua Chamberlain

11st 10lb

J: Eoghan Finegan

T: Gerard Keane

Absent since August 2023, Tramore win earlier that month was on heavy ground over 2m4f; this trip may be inadequate, and his long absence is a concern.

12/1

5th

6

28th Aug 2023

Good

2m 5f 160y

15:50 Downpatrick

Joshua Chamberlain

11st 8lb

J: Ricky Doyle

T: Gerard Keane

Handled testing conditions well when winning readily at Tramore, different ground now unless there is a marked deterioration; form this season has included a third placing over a shorter trip at this venue.

4/1

Form: 5010-2 C

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 2lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Boasts a good record at this track, all three wins here and second in a beginners' chase on latest; 5lb higher than when winning over C&D on penultimate start last year; flopped here in race won by Willyouwalkwithme on final outing before a winter break.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

5

7th Jul 2024

Good

2m 3f 194y

15:40 Sligo

Ask The Leader

11st 8lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: D M Christie

Three hurdling wins, all at Downaptrick; lost form in the second half of last year and no better on return at favourite track; tongue-tie back on, cheekpieces a new addition.

20/1

13th

11

24th May 2024

Good

2m 2f 185y

17:35 Downpatrick

Ask The Leader

10st 11lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: D M Christie

All three hurdle wins have been here, the last in 2022; some good runs in defeat last year, including over fences but form tailed off; back to her last winning mark; chance.

11/1

13th

11

24th May 2024

Good

2m 2f 185y

17:35 Downpatrick

Ask The Leader

10st 11lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: D M Christie

All three hurdle wins have been here, the last in 2022; some good runs in defeat last year, including over fences but form tailed off; back to her last winning mark; chance.

11/1

Form: 2000-7

Last run: 25 days

W: 10st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Has rarely looked like adding to the single win gained in 2021; finished in mid-field at Punchestown last time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

10

29th Mar 2026

Yielding To Soft

2m 5f 185y

14:42 Downpatrick

Robindevidastar

10st 7lb

J: Tiernan Power Roche

T: P J Rothwell

Veteran is 3-38 over hurdles, the last win coming at Punchestown (2m4f, good) in November 2024 off 84; decent fourth at Clonmel (2m4f, heavy) before dismal effort at Punchestown next time (2m3f, heavy); bounced back with rallying runner-up finish at Clonmel last time (2m, heavy); on career low mark and can't be ruled out.

15/2

2nd

11

26th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 0f 76y

13:59 Clonmel

Robindevidastar

10st 12lb

J: Tiernan Power Roche

T: P J Rothwell

Veteran is 3-37 over hurdles, the last win coming at Punchestown (2m4f, good) in November 2024; handles testing ground and ran well when fourth here (2m4f) last month; needs to bounce back from dismal effort at Punchestown.

16/1

9th

8

26th Jan 2026

Heavy

2m 3f 0y

15:40 Punchestown

Robindevidastar

10st 9lb

J: Tiernan Power Roche

T: P J Rothwell

Veteran is 3-36 over hurdles, the last win coming here over 2m4f (good) in November 2024; handles testing ground, is 3lb below that last success and ran okay at Clonmel latest; could go well.

8/1

Form: 006-02 D

Last run: 15 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Both wins gained at Tramore, returned to form with second at that venue last time; hard to be sure if he will reproduce that form at this venue, but not out of the question.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

12

28th May 2026

Good

2m 6f 0y

19:55 Limerick

Craic Eile

10st 8lb

J: Carl Millar

T: David Kenneth Budds

Both hurdle wins came at Tramore but nothing since 2021; out of form last summer; modest fifth at Wexford on return.

14/1

5th

10

16th May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 1f 0y

15:15 Wexford

Craic Eile

10st 9lb

J: Carl Millar

T: David Kenneth Budds

Both hurdle wins came at Tramore but nothing since 2021; out of form in three runs last summer.

18/1

9th

10

23rd Aug 2025

Good

2m 4f 50y

14:30 Killarney

Craic Eile

10st 11lb

J: John Shinnick

T: David Kenneth Budds

Both hurdle wins have come at Tramore but was runner-up in this race last year; poor both starts this year but is off an attractive mark if back to best.

16/1

Form: 1778-1

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 11lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
Won over 2m4f on good ground at Killarney last summer; well below that form on first two runs after a break; overcame a mistake at the last when winning at Punchestown last month; fair chance off 6lb higher.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

4th Aug 2025

Good

2m 1f 20y

14:30 Cork

Vale Of Glory

12st 0lb

J: Eoin G Kelly

T: Adrian Murray

Two wins over hurdles; losing run goes back more than two years, but has to be taken seriously after C&D second last month; fourth-placed Thats All won at Kilbeggan a fortnight later.

9/2

2nd

5

11th Jul 2025

Good

2m 0f 190y

18:15 Cork

Vale Of Glory

11st 12lb

J: Eoin G Kelly

T: Adrian Murray

Dual winner over timber but losing run goes back more than two years; wasn't disgraced in a beginners' on chase debut last time out and back below his last winning mark but others have stronger claims.

16/1

10th

10

16th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 90y

19:05 Kilbeggan

Vale Of Glory

11st 12lb

J: Eoin G Kelly

T: Adrian Murray

Two wins over hurdles, should be better for a recent run; makes chasing debut now at ten and is probably vulnerable.

14/1

Form: 426F-P D

Last run: 15 days

W: 11st 4lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Won four in a row over fences in 2021 when enjoying good ground; potentially well treated but may need confidence boosted after a fall on his final start last year and failure to complete on recent return.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

1

15th Sep 2023

Good

2m 1f 165y

15:25 Downpatrick

Downthecellar

12st 0lb

J: Rachael Blackmore

T: E J O’Grady

Has failed to finish in four of his last six starts and pulled up in two recent handicap chases; wouldn't want much rain to arrive and others preferred.

33/1

0

3

1st Sep 2023

Good

2m 3f 140y

18:55 Wexford

Downthecellar

11st 11lb

J: Mark McDonagh

T: E J O’Grady

Won four on the bounce over fences in 2021, including three at Tramore; below form this term and pulled-up over C&D last time.

33/1

0

4

11th Aug 2023

Good To Yielding

2m 3f 170y

19:15 Wexford

Downthecellar

11st 10lb

J: Ben Harvey

T: E J O’Grady

Won four handicap chases in 2021; losing run since and pulled up over fences on this season's return; probably best watched having struggled from his lower hurdle mark twice since.

20/1

Form: 2407-0

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 11lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
Two wins over hurdles came back-to-back early in 2022; below his best since Naas second in January; down the field at this venue last month in a contest in which Willyouwalkwithme was fourth.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

31st May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 3f 20y

15:26 Kilbeggan

Justicialism

11st 9lb

J: Mr D McGill

T: Noel C Kelly

Over four years since he won back-to-back handicap hurdles for Brian Hamilton; lightly raced in recent seasons; bounced back to form on second start for Noel Kelly when second to Kalsman over 2m4f at Down Royal last month; notched another second behind the improving Bella Union over 2m1f at Down Royal on latest; may go one better now.

7/2

2nd

6

4th May 2026

Good

2m 1f 88y

14:10 Down Royal

Justicialism

11st 6lb

J: Carl Millar

T: Noel C Kelly

Over four years since he won back-to-back handicap hurdles for Brian Hamilton; lightly raced in last couple of seasons and mark is much lower nowadays; bounced back to form on second start for Noel Kelly when second here over 2m4f; this shorter trip possibly not ideal, but obvious claims.

5/1

OUR TIP

Form: /8F0-2

Last run: 36 days

W: 11st 11lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

17th Jun 2023

Good

2m 1f 65y

14:20 Downpatrick

Hide And Seek

11st 11lb

J: Mike O’Connor

T: Henry De Bromhead

2nd

6

12th May 2023

Yielding

2m 0f 0y

17:35 Kilbeggan

Hide And Seek

11st 9lb

J: Rachael Blackmore

T: Henry De Bromhead

Won a maiden hurdle at Tramore in April 2022; generally struggled since but hinted at a return to form here last month and may come on for that first run in nine months; interesting that Blackmore sides with this mare over stablemate Laser Focus.

5/1

10th

5

21st Apr 2023

Yielding

2m 3f 50y

16:35 Kilbeggan

Hide And Seek

11st 9lb

J: Rachael Blackmore

T: Henry De Bromhead

midfield

12/1

Form: 068-90

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Won twice on the Flat for Joseph O'Brien; nothing yet to suggest he can score over hurdles; in rear in race in which Willyoualkwithme was fourth here last month.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

11

27th May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 1f 0y

18:19 Wexford

Montys Way

11st 0lb

J: P J O’Hanlon

T: George Stanley

Dual-Flat winner is 1-15 over timber, the win coming off 6lb higher at Ballinrobe two years ago; well below that level last autumn and probably best watched on seasonal return.

20/1

Form: 4050/6

Last run: 7 days

W: 11st 6lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
Placed on the Flat in France; seems to have had training issues, but last week's Punchestown run was quite encouraging after a long absence; could feature for in-form stable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

6

11th Sep 2023

Good To Yielding

2m 6f 55y

17:40 Galway

Laishann

11st 9lb

J: James Robottom

T: Gordon Elliott

Pulled-up last three hurdle starts and isn't easy to fancy, even though he hails from a top yard.

50/1

0

5

30th Aug 2023

Good To Yielding

2m 4f 90y

17:05 Bellewstown

Laishann

11st 7lb

J: Nathan Andrews

T: Gordon Elliott

in touch with leaders

33/1

Form: 760-F9

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Well beaten on his handicap debut but was disputing second when falling at the last at Tipperary; soundly beaten at Punchestown on latest.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

19th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 3f 110y

Class 5

14:50 Lingfield

Macs Xpress

10st 5lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Clare Ellam

Maiden who was big prices and well held throughout 2025; goes without regular headgear but hard to foresee a good run from out of the weights.

66/1

11

31st Oct 2025

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

15:40 Uttoxeter

Macs Xpress

10st 3lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Clare Ellam

Pulled up on both outings this season (2m4f/2m7f) and now 0-29 over hurdles; drops back to about 2m and swaps cheekpieces for first-time visor here; very difficult to enthuse over.

50/1

11

31st Oct 2025

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

15:40 Uttoxeter

Macs Xpress

10st 3lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Clare Ellam

Pulled up on both outings this season (2m4f/2m7f) and now 0-29 over hurdles; drops back to about 2m and swaps cheekpieces for first-time visor here; very difficult to enthuse over.

50/1

Non-runners

Hide And Seek, Mac's Xpress

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €32.40
Straight Forecast €30.20
Tricast €154.76
Trifecta €0.00

Selections

RP RATINGS (IRE):

Mac's Xpress

SPOTLIGHT:

Willyouwalkwithme

The Irish Sun:

Moonovercloon

POSTDATA:

Mac's Xpress

TOPSPEED:

Willyouwalkwithme