14:55 Downpatrick

Sunday 11 August 2019

All13:5014:2014:5515:2516:0016:3017:00

A J C Group, Newcastle Handicap Hurdle (80-95)

Off time: 14:55 | Winning time: 4m 39.4s

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Selected odds by:

Jack Wade¹¹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: J P O'Sullivan⁽⁷⁾| T: P J Rothwell| OR: 95

25/1

Has failed to hit the frame in eight starts over hurdles to date. Handicapper continues to relent since initial mark but still plenty of work to be done if playing a major role.

Form: 59/4380-

James Boru^t⁷¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: Mr N McParlan⁽⁵⁾| T: N C Kelly| OR: 94

8/1

Without a win in eight hurdle starts with the Brian Boru gelding yet to hit the frame. Still looking no nearer to breakthrough success over timber.

Form: 7845-F6

Effernock Lad³

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: M P Flanagan⁽⁷⁾| T: G Keane| OR: 93| C

9/2

Winner of three of his 25 starts over hurdles with the veteran sending out a number of mixed messages in a number of starts since March. Racing 5lb lower than last winning mark and liable to find one or two better handicapped sorts lurking.

Form: 0523-27

Herbiegoesbananas⁸⁴²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-8| J: Brian Hayes| T: W P Mullins| OR: 91

2/1

One from nine over hurdles, sole win coming in a Roscommon maiden three years ago. Not seen since April 2017 and market likely to be the best guide to chances on debut for leading yard.

Form: 916P00/

Tagg's Island^p,t¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: H Morgan⁽⁷⁾| T: M McCullagh| OR: 91

10/1

Ran well in defeat here in June but has posted a couple of dismal efforts at Wexford and Limerick recently. Mixed bag this year and needs first-time cheekpieces to have a positive effect here.

Form: 70/9357

Rising^t²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: D P Holden⁽⁷⁾| T: N C Kelly| OR: 85

20/1

Five-race maiden over hurdles, well held on never nearer in a couple of starts since returning to the track in June. Overall profile suggests the gelding is worth taking on again.

Form: 740-50

Love The Well^b¹⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: M Hamill⁽³⁾| T: J J Hanlon| OR: 84

12/1

Struggling to complete over hurdles at the end of last summer, the Fruits Of Love gelding has shown hints of improvement since the fitting of blinkers in a couple of starts last month. Possibly worth a check in the market.

Form: 8PP-P86

Derecho Storm⁹³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Ms K Ferris⁽⁷⁾| T: Eoin Barry| OR: 83

33/1

Last of 11 here over a similar trip in May following a break of 177 days, beaten over 49L. Losing run set to continue with no signs of light at the end of the tunnel just yet.

Form: 26PP0-0

Musical Ava³⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: M P Burke⁽⁷⁾| T: J M Burke| OR: 82

6/1

Running with credit in defeat in a number of starts since May but disappointed on latest start over 3m at Tipperary last month. Merits plenty of respect dropping back in trip.

Form: 3F-33F5

Zagnzig²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-13| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H Smyth| OR: 82| D

10/1

One from 21 over hurdles with the Zagreb geldings sole victory coming in a Down Royal handicap in May 2018 off a 2lb lower mark. Many chances since and excuses starting to wear thin.

Form: 540-608

Accordion Twilight⁶⁰

Age: 12| Weight: 10-11| J: D E Mullins| T: W J Lanigan| OR: 80

9/1

Miserly return of one win from 16 starts over hurdles with the Accordion gelding now running 3lb lower than last winning mark. Needs others to run below par to hold any chance in this.

Form: 00P4-F5

Non-Runners

Midland Millie¹⁴⁸

Weight: 11-2| Age: 5

T: A L T Moore J: N P Madden

Forecasts

Herbiegoesbananas (2/1), Effernock Lad (9/2), Musical Ava (6/1), James Boru (8/1), Accordion Twilight (9/1), Zagnzig (10/1), Tagg's Island (10/1), Love The Well (12/1), Midland Millie (14/1), Rising (20/1), Jack Wade (25/1), Derecho Storm (33/1)

The fitness on comeback from a 842 day sabbatical for the Willie Mullins-trained Herbiegoesbananas can only be taken on trust so it may be worth siding on this occasion with the John Burke-trained MUSICAL AVA who can go well at a price. The daughter of Court Cave found the step up in trip beyond her at Tipperary last month and will be much more suited to today's conditions. Tagg's Island in first time cheekpieces and potential improver Love The Well are entitled to sit on the shortlist.