May 06 / 16.30 Down Royal

16.30

Good

C&C White Maiden Hunters’ Chase

  • Prize money: £5130.43
  • 2m 7f 50y
  • 12 runners
RTV
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C&C White Maiden Hunters’ Chase

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

Form: U9-

Last run: 14 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced winning pointer; unseated when only 4-1 for hunter chase debut and was only 11-2 when dropping out in the second one at Tramore; could yet be seen in a better light.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

6

18th Jul 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

16:50 Killarney

Ballinrea

11st 1lb

J: Sean O’Keeffe

T: Roger Joseph McGrath

Point winner but shown very little in four starts under rules; now tries handicaps and others appeal more.

20/1

2

8th Jun 2025

Good

3m 0f 186y

13:30 Punchestown

Ballinrea

11st 4lb

J: Liam Quinlan

T: Roger Joseph McGrath

Won on debut point-to-point start; has been running in points and hunter chases since then with little success; likely to be out of his depth here.

40/1

1

6th May 2024

Good

2m 7f 50y

16:30 Down Royal

Ballinrea

12st 0lb

J: Mr M J McGrath

T: Roger Joseph McGrath

in touch with leaders, headway and prominent when mistake and unseated 4th

25/1

Form: 49/

Last run: 1321 days

W: 12st 0lb

9 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Placed in just one of his ten points and he's not the obvious answer on hunter chase debut; tries a tongue-tie.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

6th May 2024

Good

2m 7f 50y

16:30 Down Royal

Ballymoney

12st 0lb

J: Mr H C Swan

T: M C Grassick

towards rear

25/1

2

6th May 2024

Good

2m 7f 50y

16:30 Down Royal

Ballymoney

12st 0lb

J: Mr H C Swan

T: M C Grassick

Placed in just one of his ten points and he's not the obvious answer on hunter chase debut; tries a tongue-tie.

25/1

OUR TIP

Form: 0-

Last run: 279 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Only a 6yo and has got it together to win his last four points and it was pretty easy on each occasion; should make his presence felt on hunter chase debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

17th Mar 2026

Yielding

2m 4f 86y

16:48 Down Royal

Ballyphilip

12st 0lb

J: Mr N McParlan

T: Mrs Caroline McCaldin

Six wins from 18 starts in a points, placed five times, including on the first of two starts this season; had useful form, linked to prolific winner Winged Leader last season; course winner over 2m7f in 2024; first track start since fifth in this race a year ago.

7/1

5th

1

17th Mar 2025

Good

2m 3f 140y

16:47 Down Royal

Ballyphilip

12st 0lb

J: Mr N McParlan

T: Mrs Caroline McCaldin

raced wide, in touch with leaders

7/2

2

12th Nov 2024

Good

3m 0f 74y

14:52 Fairyhouse

Ballyphilip

11st 9lb

J: Mr N McParlan

T: Mrs Caroline McCaldin

raced wide, jumped left on occasions, pressed leader, briefly disputed lead after 2nd, mistake 7th, led narrowly going okay before 2 out, ridden and headed when fell heavily last

7/4

Form:

Last run:

W: 12st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Front-runner who was still clear when falling in his latest point; however, he was ultimately no match for Ballyphilip the time before; could improve for the fitting of new headgear.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

8

18th Jan 2026

Yielding

3m 0f 184y

15:55 Thurles

Bold Fury

11st 7lb

J: Mr T C Kileff

T: W R Crawford

2-10 in point-to-points; finished in front of a below-par Big Interest when second at Down Royal last March; good effort when second in a maiden hurdle at Roscommon last summer; fifth in both outings in this sphere this term, not far off Willitgoahead at Down Royal.

12/1

2

5th Aug 2025

Yielding

1m 7f 110y

17:45 Roscommon

Bold Fury

11st 4lb

J: Mr T C Kileff

T: S R B Crawford

Dual point winner and has been competitive in hunter chases the last twice, posting useful RPRs; making hurdling debut over a trip that could be too sharp but needs respecting.

13/2

Form: 80/

Last run: 1071 days

W: 12st 0lb

10 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Now a 10yo and this is a belated first run over regulation fences; minor point form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

24th Jul 2024

Good

3m 1f 110y

17:28 Wexford

Cousin Zeleznik

11st 3lb

J: Mr J P Sutton

T: Dermot A McLoughlin

Maiden pointer; well held in two hunter chases before pulling up in a Downpatrick handicap.

33/1

8

15th Jun 2024

Good

2m 7f 150y

16:35 Downpatrick

Cousin Zeleznik

10st 11lb

J: Michael J Molloy

T: Dermot A McLoughlin

Poor form since switching from points and hard to make a case for here.

50/1

4th

1

24th May 2024

Good

2m 7f 150y

19:05 Downpatrick

Cousin Zeleznik

12st 0lb

J: Mr H D O’Dwyer

T: Dermot A McLoughlin

Poor pointer was 150-1 when well held in similar contest at Down Royal earlier in the month.

50/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 12st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Beaten in all six points but showed improved form to finish close up in the latest and this 5yo has time on his side.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

17th Mar 2025

Good

2m 3f 140y

16:47 Down Royal

Drumnasoo

11st 7lb

J: Mr O McGill

T: R J Tumilty

in touch with leaders

7/1

5

29th Dec 2024

Yielding To Soft

2m 6f 120y

12:00 Limerick

Drumnasoo

12st 0lb

J: Mr N McParlan

T: R J Tumilty

0-6 in points but finished runner-up to one on a roll in a 2m7f maiden hunter chase at Down Royal (good; fine on softer); that form brings him right into this.

7/1

5

29th Dec 2024

Yielding To Soft

2m 6f 120y

12:00 Limerick

Drumnasoo

12st 0lb

J: Mr N McParlan

T: R J Tumilty

0-6 in points but finished runner-up to one on a roll in a 2m7f maiden hunter chase at Down Royal (good; fine on softer); that form brings him right into this.

7/1

Form: /0/2P-

Last run: 25 days

W: 12st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Has added further point wins to his CV since finishing runner-up in this 12 months ago; had no chance behind Its On The Line at Aintree last time when 125-1; should go well back in the right grade.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

4th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 35y

16:30 Down Royal

Focus Point

12st 0lb

J: Mr D T Hyde

T: T E Hyde

Seven point wins; has run well at times in hunter chases, including when runner-up over 2m5f here in March; however, was poor at Cork since and beaten in a point nine days ago; needs best.

3/1

10th

4

6th Apr 2026

Good To Yielding

3m 0f 100y

15:35 Cork

Focus Point

12st 0lb

J: Mr D T Hyde

T: T E Hyde

Seven wins in points; had been off the track for a long time before last month's second in a hunter chase at Down Royal; good prospects of confirming form with Sampoet.

13/2

2nd

4

17th Mar 2026

Yielding

2m 4f 86y

16:48 Down Royal

Focus Point

11st 7lb

J: Mr D T Hyde

T: T E Hyde

Unplaced behind Ballyphilip here in 2024; later gained a seventh points win; has been off the track for a long time and sports a first-time hood on his return.

10/1

Form: 06064-

Last run: 14 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Was looking very limited so not hard to question what he achieved when appearing to show improved form last time at Tramore; however, that's something to build on and he's still young.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

5

16th Jul 2026

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

20:12 Worcester

Hardy Buck

10st 11lb

J: Luke Scott

T: Max Comley

Pulled up in his final run during winter but that was in the mud and he won by 7l over this trip at Exeter (good to soft) in December; looks interesting on that form and he needs a close look back from five months off.

13/2

6

11th Feb 2026

Heavy

3m 1f 44y

Class 5

14:30 Hereford

Hardy Buck

10st 8lb

J: Freddie Mitchell

T: Max Comley

Back in better form for new yard, notably an account-opening win over hurdles at Exeter and second-place finish at Huntingdon (2m7f, soft) returned to fences; hurdles mark is 7lb higher; fighting chance.

9/4

2nd

8

22nd Jan 2026

Soft

2m 7f 129y

Class 5

13:30 Huntingdon

Hardy Buck

10st 2lb

J: Luke Scott

T: Max Comley

Exeter hurdles winner (2m7f) on stable debut in November, before finding the follow-up bid coming too soon; still at the right end of the weights to improve on a chasing record of 649FP67, all for other yards.

12/1

Form: 3/F8-

Last run: 6 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Consistent pointer, winning three times, and beaten by a good horse in the latest; probably unwise to knock him for his no-show on the Banks course at Punchestown last time out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

25th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 1f 210y

Class 4

17:47 Fontwell

John The Spark

11st 7lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Karen Jewell

Ex-Irish 8yo; won three of nine points but 0-12 under rules and tailed off over hurdles (2m3f maiden) and fences (2m5f handicap) here in both runs for current yard; untried at this trip and has lots to prove.

12/1

4th

4

25th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 1f 210y

Class 4

17:47 Fontwell

John The Spark

11st 7lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Karen Jewell

Ex-Irish 8yo; won three of nine points but 0-12 under rules and tailed off over hurdles (2m3f maiden) and fences (2m5f handicap) here in both runs for current yard; untried at this trip and has lots to prove.

12/1

4

11th Apr 2025

Good

2m 5f 135y

Class 4

14:15 Fontwell

John The Spark

11st 7lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Karen Jewell

Ex-Irish 8yo; won three of his nine points but he's 0-11 under rules and was tailed off in maiden hurdle here (2m3f, good) on recent stable debut; now returns to a handicap but he's failed to complete in two of his four starts over regulation fences and has plenty to prove back in this sphere.

12/1

14/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 12st 0lb

9 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won a point by 30l two years ago but pulled up on his only subsequent sighting; not the easiest to judge and probably best watched.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

10

6th May 2024

Good

2m 7f 50y

16:30 Down Royal

Ohzark

12st 0lb

J: Mr B Finn

T: C A Murphy

towards rear

14/1

10

6th May 2024

Good

2m 7f 50y

16:30 Down Royal

Ohzark

12st 0lb

J: Mr B Finn

T: C A Murphy

Won a point by 30l two years ago but pulled up on his only subsequent sighting; not the easiest to judge and probably best watched.

14/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Going well when falling two out in his latest point (Bold Fury was clear when falling four from home); does have 15l to find with Ballyphilip on their clash the time before.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14

21st Jan 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 1f 33y

12:40 Down Royal

Victor Tango

11st 4lb

J: Jody McGarvey

T: Noel C Kelly

Point winner; beaten a long way in a maiden hurdle here last month and hard to make a case for.

100/1

14

21st Jan 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 1f 33y

12:40 Down Royal

Victor Tango

11st 4lb

J: Jody McGarvey

T: Noel C Kelly

Point winner; beaten a long way in a maiden hurdle here last month and hard to make a case for.

100/1

Form: 2-

Last run: 353 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Runner-up over 2m7f at Downpatrick before showing a good attitude to win a point at Tyrella; very lightly raced but probably needs her best form yet to win this.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15

3rd Jun 2024

Good

3m 0f 0y

16:50 Listowel

Big Girl Betty

11st 4lb

J: Mr J C Barry

T: Mark Michael McNiff

towards rear, fell 11th

5/1

1st

8

24th May 2024

Good

2m 7f 150y

19:05 Downpatrick

Big Girl Betty

11st 7lb

J: Mr J C Barry

T: Mark Michael McNiff

Lightly-raced mare was second in this last year on Rules debut; after beating Howya Luveen by a head at Tyrella in January, was fair fourth at Down Royal earlier this month; should be thereabouts.

5/1

1st

8

24th May 2024

Good

2m 7f 150y

19:05 Downpatrick

Big Girl Betty

11st 7lb

J: Mr J C Barry

T: Mark Michael McNiff

Lightly-raced mare was second in this last year on Rules debut; after beating Howya Luveen by a head at Tyrella in January, was fair fourth at Down Royal earlier this month; should be thereabouts.

5/1

Selections

The Irish Sun:

Big Girl Betty

SPOTLIGHT:

Ballyphilip

POSTDATA:

John The Spark

RP RATINGS (IRE):

Focus Point