17:25 Downpatrick

Friday 19 May 2017

All17:2518:0018:3019:0519:3520:1020:45

Friday Nights Alright Maiden Hurdle

Off time: 17:26 | Winning time: 4m 34.2s

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Selected odds by:

Dorans River^t¹⁴³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: K M Donoghue| T: G Elliott

4/1

Would hold a leading chance if finding the form that saw him land a bumper (for Tom Hogan) at Listowel last year but showed little in two hurdles starts last winter, although quite highly tried. Has changed yards since and will find this easier, but hard to know what to expect after a break.

Form: 4613PP-

Toccata Blue¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr J P McKeown| T: J Larkin

25/1

Has ability and knows how to win on the Flat, but not shown much in two starts over hurdles and can only be watched here, with possible stamina doubts too. Needs this for a handicap mark where he may be worth a second look.

Form: 0-0

Westinmare¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: D J Mullins| T: G Elliott| C

14/1

Did win a bumper over this C&D last year but recent efforts suggest she's rather gone off the boil. Needs to return to that bumper form to hold a chance. Plenty of risks attached now, and others preferred.

Form: 32690-0

Atlantic Breaker^b¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: D R Fox| T: M M McNiff| OR: 107

2/1

Bit expensive to follow but this looks another good chance after a close second in a similar contest over C&D earlier in the month. May want a little further but that aside, still looks to hold leading claims here. Acts on most ground and should go close.

Form: 2435P-2

Canny Tom^t1¹⁶⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: D F O'Regan| T: G Elliott| OR: 99

11/4

Not seen out since last December and gets a first time tongue-tie tonight. Some form in low-level handicaps to speak of, but still a maiden after 16 starts and needs improvement even on best form. Best watched after a break.

Form: 3F2320-

Ciaoifsin^h²²³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: S E Butler⁽⁵⁾| T: J P Fahey

12/1

Has some ability but possibly a bit of temperament with it. Ran best race to date in a bumper here last August but plenty to prove tonight, not least fitness after a break.

Form: 742875-

New Stream¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: C D Maxwell| T: D A McLoughlin

50/1

Limited for Clive Brittain on the Flat back in 2015 and hasn't shown enough in either of his hurdles starts to make him of interest here.

Form: 0-6

Penance³³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: J M Moore| T: T Gibney

9/1

Has shown a modicum of ability in two hurdle starts but needs this for a handicap mark where he'll be of more interest.

Form: 5980-

Supreme Ambition^b¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: J P O'Sullivan⁽⁷⁾| T: P J Rothwell

66/1

Not completely disgraced on first start over hurdles at this track earlier in the month but needs a lot more here to get involved, and may be one for handicaps down the line.

Form: PPPR-5

Winterberry²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: A E Lynch| T: B R Hamilton

14/1

Won a maiden point-to-point at Loughanmore in April (finished alone but may well have won anyway) but got no further than the second on latest point-to-point start. Has some ability but may find others a bit too speedy today.

Form: 4F1U-

Maureen's Star¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 10-6| J: J B Kane⁽⁵⁾| T: L Lennon

66/1

Done little int three starts to suggest she'll be playing anything other than a bit part here. Others readily preferred.

Form: 06-0

Non-Runners

Megara⁸

Weight: 11-12| Age: 5

T: P J Rothwell J: D E Mullins

Forecasts

Atlantic Breaker (2/1), Canny Tom (11/4), Dorans River (4/1), Penance (9/1), Ciaoifsin (12/1), Winterberry (14/1), Westinmare (14/1), Toccata Blue (25/1), New Stream (50/1), Megara (50/1), Maureen's Star (66/1), Supreme Ambition (66/1)

If Gordon Elliott has got Dorans River back to something like his best form and ready after a break, he would hold a decent chance of landing this. The market may tell us what's expected after a break but ATLANTIC BREAKER holds a fitness advantage, is proven under the likely conditions and acts well on the track, and that swings the vote his way. Supreme Ambition can prove best of the rest.