July 15 / 16.18 Downpatrick

16.18

Good

Randox Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £5607.44
  • 2m 2f 185y
  • 6 runners
RTV
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Randox Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 6 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

OUR TIP

Form: 8824-2

Last run: 67 days

W: 11st 11lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Yet to win but some solid runs in maidens and handicaps, the best of which was runner-up in a 2m6f maiden at this track last time; previously ran well over C&D so has to be respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

3

21st Jul 2026

Good

2m 6f 41y

19:39 Ballinrobe

Fool Me Once

11st 10lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: Gavin Cromwell

Has looked badly out of form in two 2026 outings; maiden, placed twice from 15 starts.

10/1

14th

3

8th May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 5f 180y

17:35 Downpatrick

Fool Me Once

11st 11lb

J: Eoghan Finegan

T: Gavin Cromwell

Has achieved his best form at this venue, namely when twice second (in a maiden and a handicap) in the first half of 2025; moderate form last summer; always behind at Down Royal on return from a break; appears to be the trainer's second string.

14/1

14th

1

17th Mar 2026

Yielding

2m 4f 86y

15:03 Down Royal

Fool Me Once

11st 13lb

J: Tom Buckley

T: Gavin Cromwell

One of two for yard; some fair efforts in defeat last year but pulled up on heavy ground when last seen in November at Fairyhouse; these conditions more suitable, capable off this mark and not dismissed dropped in grade.

18/1

Form: 652-6F C

Last run: 36 days

W: 11st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Maiden hurdle winner over 2m6f at this venue last year and some decent efforts in defeat after in this sphere; fell on second chase start last time; might find this trip a bit sharp.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

4

20th Aug 2026

Good

2m 4f 180y

19:15 Killarney

Ollie La Ba Ba

11st 7lb

J: G B Noonan

T: Eoin Christopher McCarthy

Best of three chase runs was the first at Kilbeggan last year, when sixth of 13; beaten 24l at Clonmel in October off 1lb higher on handicap chase debut; two starts over hurdles since not too encouraging.

14/1

6th

9

8th Jun 2026

Yielding To Soft

2m 4f 0y

17:48 Roscommon

Ollie La Ba Ba

10st 9lb

J: Mike O’Connor

T: Eoin Christopher McCarthy

Won second race over hurdles when landing a handicap at Listowel (2m2f, gd-yld) in September; below best twice since, in a handicap chase at Clonmel and a handicap hurdle on heavy at Limerick in December; off since and record fresh suggests he might need this run.

20/1

Form: 80-080

Last run: 12 days

W: 11st 4lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Dual hurdle winner hasn't been at his best in a chase and two hurdle starts this year; is getting closer to his last winning mark of 100 though.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

14

27th Jul 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 130y

17:40 Galway

Woodstream Lad

11st 7lb

J: Shane O’Callaghan

T: David O’Sullivan

Last of three wins for Philip Rothwell came at Downpatrick last summer (2m3f); Clonmel claiming second in May his best recent run; debuts for new yard here.

33/1

5th

8

9th Jun 2026

Good

2m 2f 0y

17:20 Sligo

Woodstream Lad

11st 0lb

J: Shane O’Callaghan

T: P J Rothwell

Has been inconsistent in recent years; three-time winner; returned to form with a second placing in a similar race at Tramore last month; should go close.

4/1

Form: 6803-

Last run: 183 days

W: 10st 13lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Dual-purpose maiden ran a solid race on the Flat at Down Royal last time; beaten 15l on handicap hurdle debut at Punchestown in January but could improve on that on this better ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

15th Jul 2025

Good

2m 2f 185y

16:18 Downpatrick

Jarvis Brook

10st 13lb

J: Richard Deegan

T: Paul Nolan

Dual-purpose maiden ran a solid race on the Flat at Down Royal last time; beaten 15l on handicap hurdle debut at Punchestown in January but could improve on that on this better ground.

4/1

4

(11)

21st Jun 2025

Good

1m 4f 207y

17:10 Down Royal

Jarvis Brook

9st 11lb

J: Gary Carroll

T: Paul Nolan

Well-backed on seasonal return but failed to fire at Fairyhouse 45 days ago (1m, good); is 1lb lower since being beaten a short head at Gowran last August (1m1f, good to firm); may come on from last run but needs more.

9/1

10th

4

(7)

7th May 2025

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

20:20 Gowran Park

Jarvis Brook

9st 13lb

J: Ben Coen

T: Paul Nolan

Dual-purpose sort; went closest on the Flat over 1m1.5f at this track last year; needs a repeat on return.

10/1

Form: 302-02

Last run: 37 days

W: 10st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Maiden after 13 hurdle starts but went closest at Punchestown over 2m3f last time off this mark; can be inconsistent but a repeat of that form should see him go close.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

31st Aug 2026

Good

3m 1f 83y

Class 2

15:45 Cartmel

Divilabother

11st 13lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Tristan Davidson

In excellent form this season, winning three times on good ground (2m4f-2m7f; once here); last month's clear second at Uttoxeter (2m7f, good) was another career best but he's 5lb higher today and the forecast rain is a likely negative; goes beyond about 3m for first time; tongue-tie added.

11/4

2nd

8

26th Jul 2026

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 2

16:12 Uttoxeter

Divilabother

11st 3lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Tristan Davidson

Has done well since arriving from Ireland and was delivered late to win handicaps at Hexham (extended 2m7f), Cartmel (2m6f) and here on Friday (2m4f) when he sat last for a long way but won easily in the end; huge chance if turned out quickly with a penalty.

9/2

1st

5

24th Jul 2026

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 4

16:25 Uttoxeter

Divilabother

11st 10lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Tristan Davidson

Ex-Irish maiden; thriving for Tristan Davidson and bids for a hat-trick following handicap wins at Hexham (2m7f) and Cartmel (2m6f) last month, getting up late each time; up another 5lb but this likeable sort is a player once more.

6/1

Form: 8-088

Last run: 10 days

W: 10st 0lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
AW Flat winner in UK has been soundly beaten in all four maiden hurdles and has to do much better even dropping to a handicap.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

15th Jul 2025

Good

2m 2f 185y

16:18 Downpatrick

Niigata

10st 0lb

J: Paddy Hanlon

T: John Joseph Hanlon

AW Flat winner in UK has been soundly beaten in all four maiden hurdles and has to do much better even dropping to a handicap.

18/1

9

5th Jul 2025

Good

2m 1f 40y

17:30 Bellewstown

Niigata

11st 0lb

J: Paddy Hanlon

T: John Joseph Hanlon

Regressed on the Flat after a winning debut for the Crisfords; weak hurdles form so far.

25/1

13

2nd Jun 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

14:30 Listowel

Niigata

11st 7lb

J: Paddy Hanlon

T: John Joseph Hanlon

Regressed on the Flat after a winning debut for the Crisfords; tailed off in both runs over hurdles.

50/1

Non-runners

Purse Price

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Jarvis Brook

POSTDATA:

Fool Me Once

RP RATINGS (IRE):

Ollie La Ba Ba

The Irish Sun:

Jarvis Brook