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

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

9

18th Oct 2025

Good

2m 2f 148y

Class 5

15:40 Stratford

Hardy Buck

10st 9lb

J: James Turner

T: Alexander Gibbons

Overall record of 0-25 and he's finished tailed off over fences and hurdles in his last two starts (2m5f/2m7f, good); passed over.

33/1

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