September 20 / 15.20 Downpatrick

15.20

Good

Caleb & Ezra Starkey Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £5130.43
  • 2m 1f 165y
  • 13 runners
RTV
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Caleb & Ezra Starkey Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 13 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

11/4 (Won)

Form: 79-651 C

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Unlike most of his rivals, he comes into this race on the back of a good run; won a 2m6f good ground handicap hurdle here last month by 17l off 84, his first win over hurdles; up 9lb for that and down in trip, which may not be ideal, but he's in form and has to be considered.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

3

22nd Jan 2026

Heavy

2m 7f 110y

13:10 Gowran Park

Portnacoo

11st 8lb

J: Adam Leahy

T: John Joseph Hanlon

Four-time hurdles winner; not solid on his form this term, latterly for new yard; unseated rider at Taunton over fences on latest; best form is on better ground than this.

25/1

2

23rd Oct 2025

Yielding

2m 4f 51y

15:52 Clonmel

Portnacoo

11st 9lb

J: Sean Flanagan

T: John Joseph Hanlon

Three wins at Downpatrick and one at Carlisle which was the latest in February; showed nothing in two runs since that win but encouraging signs when fourth at Gowran 20 days ago and he's back on his last winning mark.

5/1

Form: 6/0-07

Last run: 43 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Best effort over hurdles came at this track in October 2022 but hasn't shown much since; well-treated if return to this venue sparks a revival but was beaten 33l in a Sligo claiming hurdle last time; hard to fancy in first time hood and tongue tie.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

8

27th May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 1f 0y

17:47 Wexford

Single Edition

11st 7lb

J: Donagh Meyler

T: James M Barcoe

Bumper winner but 0-14 hurdling, joining current yard after C&D claiming fourth a year ago; didn't count on recent comeback run at Punchestown, entitled to come on for that.

12/1

10th

4

13th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

17:50 Punchestown

Single Edition

11st 9lb

J: Donagh Meyler

T: James M Barcoe

Lost form for his previous trainer after two good runs in September 2024; plenty to prove on his first run since out of his depth in a Flat maiden last autumn, previously a moderate fourth in a claimer over hurdles.

16/1

Form: /09/72

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Dual purpose sort has been in good form since returning from a break in June; ran well on last Flat start at Gowran and was then beaten 5l into second off 84 over this C&D on his last run over hurdles just over three weeks ago; a leading contender on the back of that off 1lb higher.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

(8)

24th Oct 2025

Standard

1m 4f 14y

Class 6

18:30 Southwell (AW)

Init Together

9st 9lb

J: Conor Orr

T: Tony Carroll

Started 2025 with a four-timer, the last leg coming here; not at the same level of late but well treated if staging a revival.

11/1

9th

1

(4)

4th Oct 2025

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 6

18:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Init Together

9st 9lb

J: Conor Orr

T: Tony Carroll

Dual C&D winner; drops into a 0-55 for the first time since completing the last leg of a four-timer at Southwell (1m3f, Tapeta) in February, since when he has won over hurdles; may have done too much early when fifth of 12 back here 18 days ago; very much of interest at this level; stable also runs Boujee Gold.

6/1

5th

11

(2)

16th Sep 2025

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 6

20:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Init Together

9st 5lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Tony Carroll

Rattled off a four-timer on the AW at the start of the year including two wins over C&D; won over hurdles in June and capable of playing a part off this mark if producing his best.

25/1

OUR TIP

Form: P64-0P

Last run: 57 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
1-16 over hurdles but that win came all the way back in 2021 when trained by Willie Mullins; didn't show much in ten starts for Anthony McCann and can only be watched on first run for new yard after pulling up at Wexford last time out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

21

26th Oct 2024

Good

3m 0f 0y

16:45 Galway

Dark Voyager

11st 13lb

T: Aidan Melia

didn't always jump with fluency, midfield, lost position when pushed along after 9th

9th

9

(2)

23rd Oct 2024

Yielding

1m 6f 0y

16:50 Navan

Dark Voyager

9st 10lb

J: Dylan Browne McMonagle

T: Aidan Melia

held up in rear

16/1

8th

16

4th Oct 2024

Good

2m 4f 40y

16:45 Gowran Park

Dark Voyager

11st 0lb

J: Kevin Sexton

T: Aidan Melia

Returned to some sort of form on her debut for this trainer when a solid fourth in a 2m2f handicap hurdle at Downpatrick last month; more needed but well-handicapped if coming back to form.

14/1

Form: 30-600

Last run: 46 days

W: 11st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Dual-purpose maiden; 0-10 over hurdles and well-beaten on his last two starts in this sphere; however, ran a decent race over 2m1f at Wexford (good) in July when beaten 6.5l off 92 and if he reproduces that off 3lb lower, he could reach the frame; not discounted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

26th May 2026

Good

2m 6f 28y

20:00 Ballinrobe

Portarlington

11st 11lb

J: Mr J P Sutton

T: Ian Patrick Donoghue

3-20 over hurdles; shaped like the run was needed after six months off at Sligo on latest when 33-1; remains 2lb above last win and might need another run or two to hit top form.

20/1

6th

4

12th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 172y

19:58 Sligo

Portarlington

11st 10lb

J: Mr J P Sutton

T: Ian Patrick Donoghue

Three-time winner over hurdles; remans 4lb above his last win and has been off since a heavy defeat at Fairyhouse in November; might need this run.

16/1

Form: 08/4-5 BF

Last run: 40 days

W: 11st 13lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Three-time Flat winner is 0-5 over timber but he has run well on his last two starts here; beaten just 2.25l off 92 in August of last year (17.5f, good to yielding); may have needed the run when beaten here on latest (late mistake costly); tongue tie worn that day is discarded; should go well.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

10

20th Mar 2025

Good

2m 0f 150y

14:27 Cork

Sandyman

11st 6lb

J: Alex Harvey

T: William Harvey

Three-time Flat winner; never in the first three over hurdles, though has shown some ability in handicaps at Downpatrick; needs to improve from stable debut at Fairyhouse in November.

22/1

14th

9

3rd Feb 2025

Soft To Heavy

2m 0f 44y

16:40 Punchestown

Sandyman

12st 0lb

J: Evie Pierce

T: William Harvey

Three-time Flat winner has been regressive in the last while and has lots to find.

100/1

Form: 856-2

Last run: 25 days

W: 10st 11lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
English raider; in good form on the Flat and ran well in a handicap hurdle in Jersey last month; that form is hard to assess but at least he is in decent fettle and his yard had a well-backed winner at Laytown earlier this week; dangerous to dismiss.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

(6)

8th Sep 2025

Soft

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

17:04 Windsor

Finn Russell

9st 10lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Ian Williams

Six-time winner, the latest over C&D in May off 2lb lower; underfoot conditions shouldn't faze him but he does need to rebound from a lesser effort at Chester six weeks ago.

10/1

6th

9

(5)

26th Jul 2025

Good

1m 2f 70y

Class 4

17:30 Chester

Finn Russell

9st 2lb

J: Stevie Donohoe

T: Ian Williams

Only 3lb lower when beating five others at Windsor (1m2f, good to firm) in May but he was beaten a long way over hurdles last time having bled from the nose.

12/1

Form: 0-00U0

Last run: 16 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Mare

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
0-5 over hurdles; showed very little in maidens and unseated early on her handicap debut at Wexford; beaten 27l in a mares' handicap hurdle at Kilbeggan two weeks ago and it is hard to make a case for her on the back of that run.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

23rd Oct 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 4f 219y

17:25 Clonmel

Ar Nos Na Gaoithe

11st 0lb

J: Simon Torrens

T: P J Rothwell

Course 2m3f winner over hurdles in February; not much encouragement from two Downpatrick chase runs; early days and may find her level in handicaps.

12/1

7

10th Oct 2025

Yielding To Soft

2m 3f 100y

17:05 Downpatrick

Ar Nos Na Gaoithe

11st 5lb

J: Tiernan Power Roche

T: P J Rothwell

A lot to find based on ratings and she has been well beaten in her last three runs at the track, including on chase debut last time when 28l behind the winner; hard to see the necessary improvement coming.

25/1

10th

7

19th Sep 2025

Yielding

2m 1f 165y

16:26 Downpatrick

Ar Nos Na Gaoithe

11st 5lb

J: Tiernan Power Roche

T: P J Rothwell

Record of 1-17 over hurdles but has run well in defeat at this track; however, hasn't been as good here the last twice and has to do better on chasing debut.

18/1

Form: 00-047

Last run: 44 days

W: 11st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Ran a nice race when a 6l fourth off 92 at Wexford on his penultimate start, his best effort to date in handicap hurdles; didn't back that up at the same track on latest and cheekpieces are now reached for; chance if reproducing his Wexford fourth.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

6

20th Sep 2024

Good

2m 1f 165y

15:20 Downpatrick

The Empty Kettel

11st 9lb

J: J J Slevin

T: Garrett James Power

Ran a nice race when a 6l fourth off 92 at Wexford on his penultimate start, his best effort to date in handicap hurdles; didn't back that up at the same track on latest and cheekpieces are now reached for; chance if reproducing his Wexford fourth.

14/1

7th

1

7th Aug 2024

Good

2m 0f 160y

17:15 Wexford

The Empty Kettel

11st 12lb

J: J J Slevin

T: Garrett James Power

Showed ability in first maiden hurdle run at Tramore (2m, soft) when beaten 6.5L; no impact on handicap debut on return from a break at Punchestown but shaped well for a long way when fourth, beaten 6L, in a 2m1f handicap hurdle at this track four weeks ago; same mark today and big chance if building on that; tongue tie is retained.

9/2

4th

5

13th Jul 2024

Good

2m 0f 195y

13:30 Wexford

The Empty Kettel

11st 11lb

J: J J Slevin

T: Garrett James Power

prominent, briefly led 4 out

25/1

Form: 700

Last run: 67 days

W: 11st 5lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Beaten a long way in three maiden hurdles, including over C&D on latest; however, he's in good hands and he looks a potential improver now switching to handicaps off a mark of 88; worth a market check.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

13

28th May 2026

Good

2m 6f 0y

19:55 Limerick

Head For Home

10st 7lb

J: Phillip Enright

T: Oliver McKiernan

Standout effort a 4.75l second of 20 at Punchestown last October off 80 (2m4f, good to yielding); pulled up on return at Down Royal but much-improved fourth of 21 at Cork (24.5f, good) this month when making good headway from rear; shortlisted.

5/1

4th

14

10th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 80y

17:00 Cork

Head For Home

10st 6lb

J: Phillip Enright

T: Oliver McKiernan

Standout effort a 4.75l second of 20 off this mark at Punchestown last October (2m4f, gd-yld); pulled up on return from a 138-day break at Down Royal latest (3m, good); may have needed that and not discounted.

14/1

17

12th Apr 2026

Good

3m 0f 0y

15:35 Down Royal

Head For Home

10st 8lb

J: Phillip Enright

T: Oliver McKiernan

Took a big step forward off reduced mark in first-time cheekpieces at Punchestown in October when second to a clear winner (2m4f, good to yielding); respectable enough effort on soft ground at Tramore last time when fifth (2m5f); trainer in better form now, so not discounted.

8/1

Form: 87-888

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 9lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
0-4 over hurdles but it is still early days for him; definite signs of potential when midfield in maiden hurdles at Bellewstown and Cork; may have needed the run when keen on handicap debut at Wexford three weeks ago and he's a potential improver; could go well at a price.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

10

11th May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 4f 50y

18:07 Killarney

King In Love

10st 13lb

J: Sean O’Keeffe

T: Sean Aherne

Dual handicap winner and better than ever when third of 23 at Leopardstown over Christmas (good to yielding); slower ground not ideal since then and could be a factor here in first-time cheekpieces.

20/1

16th

16

8th Mar 2026

Heavy

2m 3f 10y

15:30 Naas

King In Love

10st 9lb

J: Sean O’Keeffe

T: Sean Aherne

Gained second handicap win off 104 at Cork in November (2m, yielding); well beaten at Punchestown next time but improved for step up in trip when staying on third of 23 at Leopardstown in December (20.5f, good to yielding); weakened into a 20l fifth of ten at Thurles (2m7f, heavy); better chance if the ground dries out.

25/1

5th

1

29th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 6f 126y

16:25 Thurles

King In Love

11st 12lb

J: Sean O’Keeffe

T: Sean Aherne

Gained second handicap win off 10lb lower at Cork in November (2m, yielding); well beaten at Punchestown but improved for step up in trip when staying on third of 23 at Leopardstown last month (20.5f, good to yielding); not certain to back that up on softer but respected.

3/1

Form: 09-P59

Last run: 21 days

W: 10st 13lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Dual-purpose maiden; 0-9 over hurdles; not a bad effort at Tramore on penultimate start (16.5f, good) but failed to back it up at Wexford last time out; difficult to make a case for her; blinkers go back on.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

9

17th Aug 2025

Good

1m 7f 140y

17:00 Tramore

Special Protector

10st 0lb

J: Cian Quirke

T: Eoin Doyle

0-18 on Flat, 0-13 over hurdles; soundly beaten off her hurdles mark on chasing debut at Wexford last month; visored now in addition to usual tongue-tie.

14/1

8th

14

23rd Jul 2025

Yielding To Soft

2m 0f 0y

15:38 Wexford

Special Protector

10st 0lb

J: Shane O’Callaghan

T: Eoin Doyle

0-31 on Flat and over hurdles; tries chasing for the first time but this would need to bring about big improvement; beaten 23l at Downpatrick most recently (2m3f, good).

18/1

6th

13

15th Jul 2025

Good

2m 2f 185y

16:50 Downpatrick

Special Protector

10st 1lb

J: Shane O’Callaghan

T: Eoin Doyle

Dual purpose maiden after 30 starts; needs to improve from recent hurdle efforts down 1lb.

25/1

Form: -90407 C

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Course winner on soft ground in October last year off 90 over 21.5f and 2lb lower now; best run since when beaten 6.25l over this C&D in August but no impact in two runs since; visor now tried instead of cheekpieces and hard to know what to expect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

9

20th Sep 2024

Good

2m 1f 165y

15:20 Downpatrick

Moneynabane

11st 7lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: Ian Patrick Donoghue

Course winner on soft ground in October last year off 90 over 21.5f and 2lb lower now; best run since when beaten 6.25l over this C&D in August but no impact in two runs since; visor now tried instead of cheekpieces and hard to know what to expect.

22/1

7th

4

26th Aug 2024

Good

2m 3f 100y

16:50 Downpatrick

Moneynabane

11st 7lb

J: Philip Byrnes

T: Ian Patrick Donoghue

Sole win did at least come here over hurdles last October and again ran well back here in that discipline two starts back; however, he was soon in trouble when tailed off on his chase debut at Kilbeggan only last Friday (beaten too far out to blame the trip of 3m1f); cheekpieces tried.

20/1

10th

6

23rd Aug 2024

Good

3m 1f 100y

18:55 Kilbeggan

Moneynabane

11st 7lb

J: Philip Byrnes

T: Ian Patrick Donoghue

towards rear

10/1

Non-runners

Princess Preskina, Ben Vrackie

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Straight Forecast €47.67
Tricast €237.58

Selections

RP RATINGS (IRE):

Portnacoo

SPOTLIGHT:

Sandyman

The Irish Sun:

Portnacoo

POSTDATA:

Sandyman