14:10 Downpatrick

Sunday 22 March 2020

All13:4014:1014:4015:1015:4016:1016:40

WKD Rated Hurdle

Off time: 14:10 | Winning time: 4m 42.2s

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Selected odds by:

Quantatmental¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-11| J: J M Moore| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 127

22/1

Chasing on last three starts, not matching his best form but his second at Naas last time was a step back up and suggests he could be thereabouts on this return to hurdling.

Form: 525562

Causey Arch⁴⁵¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: A W Short⁽³⁾| T: C A McBratney| OR: 125

80/1

Well held in his two handicaps in this sphere. While earlier novice form gives him a chance, he's unraced since December 2018. Has changed hands and left Willie Mullins.

Form: 1152P8-

Momus^b1⁵⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: E Walsh⁽⁷⁾| T: N Meade| OR: 125

9/2

0-11 over hurdles, with four seconds. That includes latest start when done on the line in a novice at Down Royal, which sees connections turn to blinkers this time. He has one of the better chances on form, though.

Form: 236-952

Texard^h⁶³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: Keith Donoghue| T: G Elliott| OR: 125

14/1

One of three for Gordon Elliott. Won easily at Cork on third start over hurdles. Needs to improve on that form, though, and his handicap debut at Thurles later in January saw him well beaten. Moves back up in trip.

Form: 346415

The Very Man^t¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: L P Dempsey| T: G Elliott| OR: 125| D

9/4

One of three for Gordon Elliott. Up from 2m to 2m3f when off the mark over hurdles (fifth attempt) in a maiden at Naas two weeks ago, with the first two a long way clear. Some improvement is probably needed but he now has potential at 2m3f+.

Form: 7-F3421

Kasakh Noir^p1²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Liam McKenna⁽⁷⁾| T: J J Lambe| OR: 123

66/1

The best of his old form for Dan Skelton in Britain would see him involved but his switch to Ireland for one chase and three hurdle races has not gone well. Hooded on penultimate start and now tries cheekpieces.

Form: 53-5604

Jimmy Two Times⁸²

Age: 11| Weight: 11-6| J: Mr D G Lavery⁽³⁾| T: B R Hamilton| OR: 122| CD

28/1

His best form was a long time ago now and little has been seen of him in recent seasons. Won over fences here in August 2017 but even that form would not be good enough, surely.

Form: 5201P/7

Dollys Destination²³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: C J Orr⁽⁵⁾| T: Gary McGill| OR: 119

25/1

Won a handicap at Navan in November. Better is probably required in this race and she did not reproduce the form in her three starts since. Remote at Doncaster on her latest outing.

Form: 221050

Think Positive⁸⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: E O'Connell⁽⁵⁾| T: V C Ward| OR: 118

50/1

Won a maiden at Tramore last August but ended his time with Willie Mullins with two heavy defeats. Probably up against it on this debut for his new trainer.

Form: 154350

Wajaaha²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: K J Brouder| T: C Byrnes| OR: 120

5/4

Improved hurdles form on his two starts since joining this trainer. Justified favouritism in a 20-runner handicap at Leopardstown (2m, soft) last time and did it very easily. Probably had enough in the tank for a big shout here if he stays.

Form: 798051

Non-Runners

Road To Dubai¹⁷⁸

Weight: 11-13| Age: 6

T: G Elliott J: Sean O'Keeffe

Forecasts

Wajaaha (5/4), The Very Man (9/4), Momus (9/2), Road To Dubai (8/1), Texard (14/1), Quantatmental (22/1), Dollys Destination (25/1), Jimmy Two Times (28/1), Think Positive (50/1), Kasakh Noir (66/1), Causey Arch (80/1)

Although they do not appear to have the best chance on form, this may well rest between THE VERY MAN and Wajaaha who both impressed when winning last time out. The ease with which Wajaaha obliged over 2m, on just his second start for his new stable, was striking but The Very Man’s win came when trying 2m3f for the first time and he has significantly less to prove regarding stamina. The selection is one of three candidates for Gordon Elliott. Momus has place claims for Noel Meade but his maiden status over hurdles will probably last a bit longer.