June 15 / 13.40 Downpatrick

13.40

Good

Northern Ireland On Course Bookmakers Association Opportunity Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £5643.48
  • 2m 1f 165y
  • 10 runners
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Northern Ireland On Course Bookmakers Association Opportunity Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

16/1 (Won)

  • Win: £4.70
  • Place: £2.20

Form: 09/12/ BF

Last run: 708 days

W: 11st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Dual hurdle winner is returning from a near two-year absence for a new yard and is probably best watched unless the market suggests otherwise.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

(6)

13th Oct 2025

Heavy

1m 2f 95y

15:35 Roscommon

Petrol Head

9st 12lb

J: Nathan Crosse

T: H D McGuigan

Has developed into a pretty good hurdler but couldn't raise his modest Flat profile in a 1m maiden last week (stable debut).

50/1

9th

8

1st Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 51y

Class 2

15:30 Kelso

Petrol Head

11st 4lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Neil Mulholland

Returned from long layoff to win two in a row in Ireland last summer for Katy Brown (2m2f/2m1f, good); has also won on yielding ground; absent since but he could still have more left in the tank and the betting may be informative on stable debut.

12/1

12/1

  • Place: £4.90

Form: 5247-0

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Was consistent last year, winning at Roscommon and several decent efforts in defeat; however, was well beaten on return and might need to drop in the weights.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

19th Sep 2025

Yielding

2m 1f 165y

15:21 Downpatrick

Only One Plan

11st 13lb

J: Philip Donovan

T: M Flannery

Added his third hurdles win at Ballinrobe in July (2m1f, good) off 96; not at the same level in two runs following that off 4lb higher; dropped 1lb now, but his form is erratic.

11/1

8th

11

5th Sep 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 0y

16:32 Kilbeggan

Only One Plan

10st 4lb

J: Benjamin P Kennedy

T: M Flannery

Is 3-30 over hurdles with his most recent win coming at Ballinrobe in July off a mark of 96 (2m1f, good); beaten a long way off a 4lb higher mark back at that track last time (2m, good); could bounce back here.

12/1

9th

2

11th Aug 2025

Good

2m 0f 169y

18:55 Ballinrobe

Only One Plan

12st 0lb

J: Conor Owens

T: M Flannery

3-28 over hurdles, two wins with Philip Rothwell and placed twice at this venue for that stable; has found his form again; built on Kilbeggan second when scoring for his locally-based trainer here last month; only 4lb higher, same 7lb claimer aboard

11/2

2/1

  • Place: £2.40

Form: 2546-1

Last run: 15 days

W: 10st 7lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Came back to form when winning well over fences at Tramore last time and is now rated 104 in that sphere; should be a big player if transferring that form to hurdles.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

12th Apr 2025

Good

2m 1f 40y

14:40 Bellewstown

Mater Matuta

10st 3lb

J: Rachael Blackmore

T: E D Delany

Five-time winner between jumps and the Flat including at this track; is 7lb higher than for last hurdle win at Tramore last August and might need this outing.

9/2

3rd

4

12th Apr 2025

Good

2m 1f 40y

14:40 Bellewstown

Mater Matuta

10st 3lb

J: Rachael Blackmore

T: E D Delany

Five-time winner between jumps and the Flat including at this track; is 7lb higher than for last hurdle win at Tramore last August and might need this outing.

9/2

9th

12

(9)

3rd Oct 2024

Soft

1m 4f 37y

16:45 Bellewstown

Mater Matuta

8st 13lb

J: Wayne Lordan

T: E D Delany

dwelt start, raced wide, in rear, some headway halfway, midfield over 3f out, weakened 2f out

9/1

Form: 4P1-45

Last run: 4 days

W: 11st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Won a handicap hurdle easily at Tramore and solid efforts in defeat twice since off much higher marks; didn't jump that well at Sligo four days ago and a visor replaces cheekpieces; can go well but vulnerable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

12th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 198y

Class 5

15:50 Taunton

Brownstone

11st 11lb

J: Joe Anderson

T: Grace Harris

Won two handicaps in Ireland; building some momentum for his new yard and probably needs further than the 2m2f he ran over at Exeter last time (stays 3m); needs considering.

20/1

5th

2

12th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 198y

Class 5

15:50 Taunton

Brownstone

11st 11lb

J: Joe Anderson

T: Grace Harris

Won two handicaps in Ireland; building some momentum for his new yard and probably needs further than the 2m2f he ran over at Exeter last time (stays 3m); needs considering.

20/1

4th

1

6th Dec 2024

Soft

2m 2f 111y

Class 5

12:25 Exeter

Brownstone

12st 0lb

J: Freddie Gordon

T: Grace Harris

Runner-up at Leicester (2m4f, good) last month on second stable start and again ran well when fourth at Ludlow (3m, good to soft) seven days later; won on soft ground in Ireland; could have a part to play.

7/1

Form: 5618-9

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Won a handicap hurdle at Tramore last summer on soft ground but has been well beaten twice since and has to do much more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

6

19th Aug 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

19:38 Worcester

Boskill Borden

11st 0lb

J: Shane Fenelon

T: David Rees

Tailed off on chasing debut in the autumn and also ran poorly when reappearing last month; might be happier now back over hurdles and has slipped to a good mark but others have much less to prove; swaps cheekpieces for refitted visor.

20/1

8

22nd Jul 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

13:55 Worcester

Boskill Borden

10st 2lb

J: Shane Fenelon

T: David Rees

Twice placed in 2m4f hurdle races here last summer (good) but ended last year's campaign on a low, achieving little on October's chasing debut; can't be certain he will hit the ground running in 2026.

20/1

7

10th Jul 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

17:00 Worcester

Boskill Borden

10st 3lb

J: Shane Fenelon

T: David Rees

Twice placed in 2m4f hurdle races here last summer (good) but ended last year's campaign on a low, achieving little on October's chasing debut; can't be certain he will hit the ground running in 2026.

25/1

Form: 65FP7/ D

Last run: 544 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Was poor over fences when last seen and is returning from a long absence; seems yard's second-string and likely best watched.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

18th Sep 2024

Good

2m 0f 0y

15:35 Tramore

Just Jacob

11st 2lb

J: Kieren Buckley

T: Gavin Cromwell

Won over C&D last month and was a solid third at Ballinrobe five days ago off this mark; has a chance again if this doesn't come too soon

4/1

3rd

2

13th Sep 2024

Good

2m 1f 55y

18:50 Ballinrobe

Just Jacob

11st 11lb

J: Jack Kearney

T: Gavin Cromwell

in touch with leaders, prominent after 1st

4/1

1st

2

18th Aug 2024

Good

1m 7f 140y

16:33 Tramore

Just Jacob

11st 10lb

J: Kieren Buckley

T: Gavin Cromwell

Dual hurdle winner on good ground, never sighted on return from 544-day absence at Downpatrick in June; reverts to fences here having shown nothing in three attempts in late 2022 so impossible to assess on handicap debut; market likely best guide.

14/1

Form: U5P-45 D

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
Last of three hurdle wins came in a Sligo claimer last summer; decent effort in a Clonmel claimer but below that level in a handicap here since; others appeal more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

7

(4)

28th Sep 2026

Standard

1m 5f 219y

Class 6

19:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Bigz Belief

9st 3lb

J: Gina Mangan

T: Celine De La Haye

Winless in more than three years, including in eight starts in Jersey since leaving Fergal O'Brien, for whom he went close off this mark here in March; will find this more competitive.

16/1

3rd

5

23rd Mar 2026

Good

1m 7f 50y

Class 4

14:15 Wincanton

Bigz Belief

10st 4lb

J: Tpr Elizabeth Feakes

T: Fergal O’Brien

Best of three hurdle runs for new stable this season when second of five in soft-ground Leicester seller (2m4f) in December; reverts to this code after going close off his basement Flat mark three weeks ago but others have more compelling claims; first ride under rules for Elizabeth Feakes.

6/1

2nd

8

(2)

2nd Mar 2026

Standard

1m 4f 51y

Class 6

20:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Bigz Belief

8st 10lb

J: Gina Mangan

T: Fergal O’Brien

This season's hurdling form for Fergal O'Brien was uninspiring and he was safely held when fourth in C&D classified race on Flat return in January; difficult to enthuse over.

14/1

Form: 76-990

Last run: 16 days

W: 11st 9lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
Has a regressive profile and even though is dropping down the weights was poor last time so not easy to fancy.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

16th Jul 2026

Good

2m 4f 85y

18:10 Killarney

Swelltime

12st 0lb

J: Josh Williamson

T: W J O’Doherty

Four wins over hurdles, the most recent coming in this race last year off 2lb lower on yielding to soft, his second win over C&D; out of depth on the Flat last time, but this is more suitable and acts on good ground; player.

8/1

6th

5

(3)

2nd Jul 2026

Good

1m 4f 71y

20:23 Bellewstown

Swelltime

11st 0lb

J: Miss S E Leahy

T: W J O’Doherty

A winner of six races (four over hurdles and two on the level); however, a Flat rating of just 40 leaves him with heaps to find on these unfavourable terms.

40/1

8th

4

28th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 200y

18:50 Limerick

Swelltime

11st 4lb

J: G B Noonan

T: W J O’Doherty

Dual-purpose; 4-33 over hurdles; last won at Killarney off 4lb lower last July (20.5f, yld-sft); good ground is fine but lacks a run and overall record when fresh suggests he'll come on for this run.

14/1

OUR TIP

Form: 2255-6 C

Last run: 36 days

W: 11st 12lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Two hurdle wins, including here over 2m6f and in decent form when last seen in this discipline last autumn at this track; well beaten over fences lately but respected back hurdling with cheekpieces added.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

19

16th Nov 2024

Good To Yielding

2m 4f 50y

12:15 Navan

Gladiatorial

11st 1lb

J: Jody McGarvey

T: Noel C Kelly

Looked booked for second when presented with victory by the faller of the leader at the last in a handicap chase at Sligo last month; well beaten in a handicap hurdle at the same venue last time; a long time since he won over hurdles.

25/1

Form: 060-22 BF

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Was disqualified for interference after winning at Down Royal and was then a solid second at Ballinrobe; needs more up another 3lb but looks likely to be involved.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

7th Sep 2026

Good

2m 6f 111y

19:11 Galway

Tell Us This

11st 9lb

J: Conor Stone-Walsh

T: Andrew McNamara

Never looked at ease at Tramore last time but much better judged on his victory in a competitive 2m2f handicap chase here at the festival; likely to fare much better, although the trip is a small question

7/1

5th

1

13th Aug 2026

Good

1m 7f 120y

17:11 Tramore

Tell Us This

11st 9lb

J: Conor Stone-Walsh

T: Andrew McNamara

Dual hurdles winner got off the mark over fences for the first time at the eighth attempt at the Galway festival (2m2f, good); 4lb penalty for that could prove pivotal and his overall form doesn't suggest that a follow-up is guaranteed; trainer won this race last year though.

11/4

1st

10

28th Jul 2026

Good

2m 2f 54y

17:45 Galway

Tell Us This

11st 7lb

J: Conor Stone-Walsh

T: Andrew McNamara

Two wins over hurdles for Gavin Cromwell; 0-7 over fences and has a tendency to jump left at times; ground conditions will suit but soundly beaten over hurdles on latest and others make more appeal.

18/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €57.20
Straight Forecast €56.94
Tricast €326.34
Trifecta €214.10

Selections

RP RATINGS (IRE):

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SPOTLIGHT:

Mater Matuta

TOPSPEED:

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POSTDATA:

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The Irish Sun:

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