August 11 / 16.18 Downpatrick

16.18

Good

Randox Maiden Hurdle

  • Prize money: £5130.43
  • 2m 5f 180y
  • 11 runners
RTV
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Randox Maiden Hurdle

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

2/1 (Won)

  • Win: £3.00
  • Place: £1.20

Form: 0-22U2 BF

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Plenty of promise in bumpers and placed again over hurdles when only headed late on at Perth last time; every chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

5th May 2025

Good

2m 3f 150y

15:20 Down Royal

Step Out

11st 12lb

J: Ben Bromley

T: S R B Crawford

took keen hold, disputing third

6/1

3rd

5

5th May 2025

Good

2m 3f 150y

15:20 Down Royal

Step Out

11st 12lb

J: Ben Bromley

T: S R B Crawford

took keen hold, disputing third

6/1

6th

2

13th Apr 2025

Good

3m 2f 50y

16:35 Down Royal

Step Out

11st 11lb

J: J J Slevin

T: S R B Crawford

Winning hurdler is 0-5 in chases but has run well in defeat, including at this venue over 16.5f (good to yielding) back in January; won at 2m6f over hurdles but has stamina to prove for this trip; doesn't look a certain stayer on breeding and others appeal more.

100/30

5/2

  • Place: £1.10

Form: 11FP-F BF

Last run: 36 days

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
The winner of two bumpers; has yet to transfer that ability to hurdles, though still held some chance when falling late on at Bellewstown a month ago; should be very competitive provided his jumping stands the test.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

(2)

2nd Jul 2026

Good

1m 4f 71y

20:23 Bellewstown

Intense Approach

11st 0lb

J: Ms L A Byrne

T: John C McConnell

Talented over jumps; rated 137 over hurdles and a five-time winner in that sphere; has struggled in chases on last few starts and has been off since March but returns with local yard among the winners and he bolted up in a bumper here back in 2023; check the market.

15/2

16th

12

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 127y

Class 1

14:00 Cheltenham

Intense Approach

10st 11lb

J: Alex Harvey

T: John C McConnell

Prevailed in a big field at Galway (2m6f, good) on chase debut but has failed to back up that form since and was particularly disappointing in October when bidding for a second win at the Cheltenham Showcase meeting; wears first-time headgear; less solid than others.

50/1

26

11th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 0y

Class 1

14:40 Cheltenham

Intense Approach

10st 10lb

T: John C McConnell

Reserve; won four times (once on good here) as a novice hurdler last season before pulling up at 14-1 in the 3m Grade 1 novice event here; won chase debut at the Galway festival (2m6f) last August but chase career has gone badly the wrong way since, latest start 11 days ago; returns to hurdling in first-time cheekpieces; next to no exposure in handicaps but low on the list.

50/1

4/1

  • Place: £2.00

Form: 5/274-

Last run: 394 days

W: 11st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Runner-up in two of his five hurdle starts and ran well in a competitive handicap on the Flat at the recent Galway festival; likely contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

(3)

9th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 7f 0y

20:13 Leopardstown

The Mediator

11st 12lb

J: Ms C E O’Ryan

T: Gordon Elliott

Bumper, hurdles and Flat winner on good and soft ground; soundly beaten in one of these races at Bellewstown on latest; rated 78 and a fair bit to find on the figures here; cheekpieces go on.

7/1

4th

2

(7)

2nd Jul 2026

Good

1m 4f 71y

20:23 Bellewstown

The Mediator

11st 5lb

J: Ms C E O’Ryan

T: Gordon Elliott

Dual-purpose sort has been running well on the Flat; two solid efforts in Curragh handicaps to sign off last season; okay effort in Q.R. race at Listowel in May and advertised wellbeing with good second in Curragh charity race last week; player.

9/4

2nd

4

26th Jun 2026

Good

1m 4f 0y

20:30 Curragh

The Mediator

12st 3lb

T: Gordon Elliott

Bumper, hurdle and Flat winner ran a solid race on return at Listowel and is a big player.

5/2

OUR TIP

Form: /03P2- C

Last run: 107 days

W: 11st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
Won his bumper here and both seconds over hurdles also at this track, last time going down by 2l in a maiden in April; should give his running but others have stronger form credentials.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form: 83

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Best form yet when staying on into third in a C&D maiden a month ago; likely to need more again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

15th Jul 2025

Good

2m 5f 185y

15:18 Downpatrick

Western Ability

10st 13lb

J: Ben Harvey

T: D M Christie

0-5 over hurdles and rated 98; best efforts in maidens have come on good ground over this C&D but has a lot to find and produced another tame effort on handicap debut at Sligo on Sunday; others preferred.

25/1

10

13th Jul 2025

Good

3m 1f 146y

16:45 Sligo

Western Ability

11st 0lb

J: Ben Harvey

T: D M Christie

0-6 in points but has shown ability in a few of his starts under rules; however, was tailed off at Ballinrobe last time out and probably needs improvement to defy this mark; return to further will help at least.

12/1

7th

11

26th May 2025

Good

2m 6f 131y

17:00 Ballinrobe

Western Ability

11st 4lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: D M Christie

Placed in a 2m6f maiden hurdle on good ground at Downpatrick last July; no encouragement from his point-to-point form.

50/1

Form: 00

Last run: 64 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Tailed off in maidens at Ballinrobe and Punchestown; one for another day.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

28th May 2026

Good

2m 6f 0y

19:55 Limerick

Anysignofhim

10st 13lb

J: Liam Quinlan

T: Ray Hackett

Maiden from 11 starts over hurdles; set a stiff task in claiming hurdle at Clonmel last time; this a more realistic opportunity; enjoys good ground.

20/1

9th

4

14th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 116y

16:47 Clonmel

Anysignofhim

11st 4lb

J: Liam Quinlan

T: Ray Hackett

Maiden over hurdles is rated only 85 so can't be fancied in this company.

50/1

7th

13

19th Oct 2025

Good

2m 3f 92y

15:07 Limerick

Anysignofhim

10st 8lb

J: Liam Quinlan

T: Ray Hackett

Fell two out in a claimer last time at Clonmel; his third placing in a handicap at Ballinrobe in August offers some hope; disappointing when favourite at the same venue on his next start.

12/1

Form: U6-000

Last run: 36 days

W: 10st 7lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Minor form, including on handicap debut last time off a very modest mark; outclassed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

29th Jun 2025

Soft

2m 6f 31y

Class 5

15:15 Cartmel

Evies Court

11st 7lb

J: Mr D McGill

T: Noel C Kelly

0-8 over hurdles and not yet proven on ground slower than good but posted a sound effort when placed at Perth (3m) three weeks ago and is evidently in good nick.

9/2

3rd

6

8th Jun 2025

Good

2m 7f 207y

Class 5

17:07 Perth

Evies Court

11st 2lb

J: Mr D McGill

T: Noel C Kelly

Irish mare who has weak claims on form; would be interesting only if the market suggests improvement is on the cards.

12/1

Form: 45

Last run: 17 days

W: 10st 11lb

5 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Has shown glimmers of promise without suggesting she'll provide the answer to this.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

4th Nov 2025

Soft

3m 0f 0y

15:45 Fairyhouse

Sights Unseen

11st 4lb

J: Alix Balfe

T: Gavin Cromwell

Won off 8lb lower at Downpatrick in May (2m6f, good); back on track after two poor chase runs when a 5l second of 16 at Listowel (2m6f, gd-yld) in first time blinkers (retained); this tougher off 3lb higher and majority of best form is on better ground.

13/2

9th

7

4th Nov 2025

Soft

3m 0f 0y

15:45 Fairyhouse

Sights Unseen

11st 4lb

J: Alix Balfe

T: Gavin Cromwell

Won off 8lb lower at Downpatrick in May (2m6f, good); back on track after two poor chase runs when a 5l second of 16 at Listowel (2m6f, gd-yld) in first time blinkers (retained); this tougher off 3lb higher and majority of best form is on better ground.

13/2

7

4th Nov 2025

Soft

3m 0f 0y

15:45 Fairyhouse

Sights Unseen

11st 4lb

J: Alix Balfe

T: Gavin Cromwell

Won off 8lb lower at Downpatrick in May (2m6f, good); back on track after two poor chase runs when a 5l second of 16 at Listowel (2m6f, gd-yld) in first time blinkers (retained); this tougher off 3lb higher and majority of best form is on better ground.

13/2

Form: 04/

Last run: 621 days

W: 11st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Placed in a point and was beaten under 7l in an Ayr bumper (soft) when last seen in late 2022; returns for a new trainer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

23rd Aug 2024

Good

3m 1f 0y

18:25 Kilbeggan

Flaxfield

11st 4lb

J: Cian Walsh

T: Paul Mulligan

in rear, some headway halfway

66/1

9th

5

11th Aug 2024

Good

2m 5f 180y

16:18 Downpatrick

Flaxfield

11st 4lb

J: Cian Walsh

T: Paul Mulligan

Placed in a point and was beaten under 7l in an Ayr bumper (soft) when last seen in late 2022; returns for a new trainer.

25/1

4th

3

29th Nov 2022

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

15:10 Ayr

Flaxfield

11st 0lb

J: Mr Carl Millar

T: Nigel Thomas Slevin

took keen hold, led at slow pace, increased tempo over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, headed and hung left 2f out, weakened quickly over 1f out

10/1

Form: 7

Last run: 19 days

W: 10st 11lb

5 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Beaten a distance into midfield in a bumper at Ballinrobe last month.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

12

15th Aug 2025

Good

2m 5f 0y

19:19 Tramore

Spricklestown

11st 7lb

J: Ben Harvey

T: Tom Dreaper

Best of six efforts under rules was a 12.5l fifth of 14 in a Limerick maiden hurdle last year (16.5f, good); beaten a long way on seasonal return at Roscommon last time; repeat of Limerick effort could see her involved.

14/1

6

7th Jul 2025

Good

1m 7f 204y

19:13 Roscommon

Spricklestown

11st 8lb

J: Ben Harvey

T: Tom Dreaper

Pick of four maiden runs for Paul Stafford when fair fifth at Limerick in October; absent since November but needs a market check on handicap/yard debut.

14/1

Form: 0/

Last run: 490 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Stable second string when well down the field in a Fairyhouse bumper won by Brighterdaysahead in April 2023; second run has been a while coming but has to be of interest for his top yard.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

11th Aug 2024

Good

2m 5f 180y

16:18 Downpatrick

Punch Perfect

11st 4lb

J: Paul Townend

T: W P Mullins

Stable second string when well down the field in a Fairyhouse bumper won by Brighterdaysahead in April 2023; second run has been a while coming but has to be of interest for his top yard.

4/1

15th

9

9th Apr 2023

Soft

2m 0f 0y

17:30 Fairyhouse

Punch Perfect

11st 6lb

J: Mr C Mullins

T: W P Mullins

Nathaniel gelding a 25,000gns yearling who resold for 55,000Euros as a 3yo; second foal; half-brother to Greek 5f-6.5f winner Ensyaab; dam placed 1m/9.4f AW (RPR 62), out of US 1m turf winning half-sister to US 7f Grade 2 winner Exchange Rate; seemingly the lesser-fancied of the Mullins pair.

12/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €5.40
Straight Forecast €5.36
Trifecta €26.90

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Step Out

The Irish Sun:

Punch Perfect

POSTDATA:

Intense Approach

RP RATINGS (IRE):

Step Out

TOPSPEED:

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