16:50 Downpatrick

Saturday 17 June 2017

All14:0014:3015:0515:4016:1516:5017:25

East Down Hunt Club Handicap Hurdle (80-95)

Off time: 16:50 | Winning time: 4m 16.0s

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Selected odds by:

Sports Barrow⁵¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: P Townend| T: C A McBratney| OR: 95

11/2

Improved on latest run at Perth when holding every chance of victory in the straight but was run out of it late in the day. This is arguably less competitive and if repeating that run, would hold a solid chance today.

Form: 7/P0773-

Up The Town^t²²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: S W Flanagan| T: N Meade| OR: 92

16/1

Finished well beaten on first start in a handicap at Down Royal in May and although taking a step down the grading ladder here, still has too much to prove.

Form: 3588-59

Better Back Bob¹⁹⁶

Age: 11| Weight: 11-8| J: R C Colgan| T: N McKnight| OR: 91| C

16/1

Chase winner here at Downpatrick last season but not seen out since finishing firth at Fairyhouse last December and likely to need this after such an absence.

Form: 800155-

Ardview Boy²²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: C D Maxwell| T: A Mulholland| OR: 88

6/1

Looks to be refinding some form if his latest two efforts are anything to go by, but still winless after 14 starts and having been nudged up a couple of pounds after that latest run, others are preferred.

Form: 7000-42

Shek O Lad⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: B R Dalton| T: D McDonogh| OR: 88| C

11/4

Trip and ground both fine and turned in best effort for a while when second at Roscommon last time out. On a fair mark and should be approaching peak fitness after a break, so looks a major player.

Form: 0510-42

Ashjan²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-1| J: Steven Kelly⁽⁷⁾| T: M M McNiff| OR: 91

7/2

A tale of steady improvement on his last three starts and being only four, has room for plenty more. Seemed not to quite get home against the improving Station Closed last time and this drop back in trip may suit, so not discounted.

Form: 520-52

Captains And Kings^t¹²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-1| J: B T O'Connell| T: A B Joyce| OR: 84

16/1

No win in 19 starts and not seen out since February when his form had taken a turn for the worse. Needs the break to have freshened him up but best form, as it is, arguably on softer anyway.

Form: 630070-

Outofcologne⁵⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: Rachael Blackmore⁽³⁾| T: J J Hanlon| OR: 84| D

20/1

Didn't really show enough on recent comeback run after a 16 month absence to suggest he's retained the ability he showed to win a handicap hurdle back in 2015. Too much to prove at present.

Form: 8PP1F/0-

Clonleney^t²⁴⁶

Age: 11| Weight: 11-0| J: A E Lynch| T: A Murray| OR: 83

20/1

Ran well on first start for this yard over C&D in March 2016, and that came after an absence, so can go well fresh, although disappointing on only other start. Comes with plenty of risks, and as likely to blow out as win, but not totally discounted.

Form: P03P2/6-

Canova^p1,t¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: S Perry⁽⁷⁾| T: G Elliott| OR: 81

25/1

Would hold some hope on his fourth to the improving Andratx here in March but a tale of woe since then and connections go for the cheekpieces now. Makes little appeal at present.

Form: 54P-009

Queen Khaleesi^t¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: D E Mullins| T: P Neville| OR: 81

14/1

Beaten a fair way all starts to date and did little better for the step into handicaps last time. Young enough to improve but she'll have to.

Form: 70-008

Safe Home¹⁸⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: R Loughran| T: J Morrison| OR: 81

14/1

Looked regressive when last seen out and having not run since last December is likely to need the run as well. Looks an unlikely winner.

Form: 0/00P79-

Olympic Queen²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: J M Moore| T: J R Finn| OR: 80

50/1

Tailed off most starts and never in the hunt at Punchestown on latest start. Makes little appeal.

Form: 890F-00

Island Villa¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: B Hayes| T: P McCreery| OR: 85| D

10/1

Refound some form in a big way when a close up fourth to Sharjah at Tramore latest start and this slight step up in trip will help. Likes quick ground and would hold a chance if getting in the race.

Form: 5/P400-4

Non-Runners

Kilkeaskins First²⁹

Weight: 11-6| Age: 6

T: J P Dempsey J: J S McGarvey

Sweet Little Lies⁵⁸

Weight: 10-11| Age: 6

T: J Feane J: A Ring

Forecasts

Shek O Lad (11/4), Ashjan (7/2), Kilkeaskins First (5/1), Sports Barrow (11/2), Ardview Boy (6/1), Island Villa (10/1), Queen Khaleesi (14/1), Safe Home (14/1), Better Back Bob (16/1), Captains And Kings (16/1), Up The Town (16/1), Clonleney (20/1), Outofcologne (20/1), Sweet Little Lies (20/1), Canova (25/1), Olympic Queen (50/1)

Not many of these come here in great form so it looks a decent chance for SHEK O LAD to come out on top. He ran well earlier in the week and connections are getting him out quickly from the same handicap mark here. He can get the better of Ardview Boy, who may have to settle for second best again, and top weight Sports Barrow who finds himself in calmer waters here. Island Villa would be of interest if getting to take his chance.