17:35 Downpatrick

Friday 23 May 2025

All17:0017:3518:0518:3719:0719:3720:07

Frank And Brian Fitzsimons Memorial Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 17:35 | Winning time: 4m 28.7s

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Selected odds by:

Son Of Hypnos^t²⁰⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 12-1| J: J Smith⁽⁵⁾| T: K Smith| OR: 113| CD

12/1

Latest win in hurdle at Galway in July but finished last year with two disappointing efforts, most recent when 14/1, pulled up in handicap hurdle at Galway (16f, heavy). Has been given a break and no surprise to see him bounce back to form at a course where he's been successful previously.

Form: 38158P-

Roaring Potter^t1¹⁰⁷⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: M P O'Connor| T: R K Watson| OR: 108| C

50/1

Lightly-raced winner of a Downpatrick maiden (21.7f) on final run for Gordon Elliott in June 2022. Tongue strap on for handicap/stable debut and market should reveals expectations following significant absence.

Form: 28451/

Goodie Girl³³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Patrick M O'Brien⁽⁷⁾| T: D A McLoughlin| OR: 106| C| D

4/1

Course winner. Latest win in hurdle at Fairyhouse in October. Looked set to add to her tally when falling at Leopardstown in March. Latest 17/2, pulled up in handicap hurdle at Fairyhouse (20f, soft) 33 days ago, unsuited by more testing conditions. Could bounce back quickly on better ground.

Form: 6/15FFP-

Rockview Consort¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: D A Kidd⁽⁷⁾| T: J C McConnell| OR: 106

6/1

Lightly-raced winner over hurdles. Only second start in handicap company when 5/1, creditable fourth of 11 in handicap hurdle at this course (17.8f, good) 14 days ago. Could yet have more to offer over a slightly longer trip.

Form: 1246/4

Arcland²³²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-5| J: Keith Donoghue| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 103

10/3

Ran creditably in a trio of Kilbeggan handicap hurdles prior to a disappointing effort for back on the Level on final outing for Harry Rogers. Reverts to hurdles with cheekpieces on for first time in this code. Interesting stable debutant for top yard.

Form: 4F/8344-

Depalma¹⁴⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Brian Hayes| T: Colm Murphy| OR: 101

9/2

Lightly-raced type finished respectable ninth of 19 in a novice handicap hurdle at Leopardstown (16f, good) 148 days ago, caught further back than ideal in race that has thrown up some fairly useful types. That form reads well in this company and he's interesting if ready to roll on return.

Form: 8/44209-

Wrecking Ball Paul^t²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: B W Harvey| T: Paul Mulligan| OR: 101

14/1

Has been well beaten in a variety of events on the Flat and over jumps recently, latest pulled up in novice chase at Kilbeggan (22.6f, good to soft, 66/1) 28 days ago. Questions to answer back over hurdles.

Form: 7/40P4P-

Splendid Choice^p⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-10| J: Tiernan Power Roche⁽⁵⁾| T: P J Rothwell| OR: 94

5/1

Justified support and confirmed promise of previous run when landing a 14-runner handicap hurdle (6/1) at Wexford (17f, good to soft) 6 days ago, travelled well and always holding on. Respected but has more on his plate in a stronger race off 5 lb higher.

Form: 0P064-1

Peckham Springs^t⁵⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-8| J: P J O'Hanlon| T: D A McLoughlin| OR: 92| C

18/1

Course winner. Seventeen runs since last win in 2022. Fared little better than he has this season when 22/1, ninth of 14 in handicap hurdle at this course (21.8f, good to soft) 54 days ago. Best to look elsewhere.

Form: 6/00U09-

Demanding Gerry¹⁷⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-0| J: Phillip Enright| T: James Andrew Fahey| OR: 83

14/1

Couldn't match two previous efforts when seventh of 15 in handicap hurdle at Thurles (20.2f, good to soft) 175 days ago, wore first time tongue tie (now removed). Remains to be seen if she can rediscover her form following a break.

Form: 007667-

Forecasts

Arcland (10/3), Goodie Girl (4/1), Depalma (9/2), Splendid Choice (5/1), Rockview Consort (6/1), Son Of Hypnos (12/1), Demanding Gerry (14/1), Wrecking Ball Paul (14/1), Peckham Springs (18/1), Roaring Potter (50/1)

Having been caught further back than ideal, DEPALMA shaped with promise in a competitive Leopardstown novice handicap on Boxing Day, and he may be able to make a winning return in calmer waters. Goodie Girl was unlucky not to add to her hurdles tally on penultimate outing and can bounce back from a disappointing effort on softer ground, while Arcland looks an interesting newcomer for the Gavin Cromwell team.