14:11 Downpatrick

Friday 19 September 2025

All14:1114:4615:2115:5616:2617:0117:35

Randox Maiden Hurdle

Off time: 14:12 | Winning time: 4m 22.6s

Settings

Selected odds by:

High Court Cave⁵¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr O McGill⁽⁵⁾| T: N C Kelly| OR: 110| D

8/13

Bumper winner was much improved on handicap debut following 4 months off when second of 20 in handicap hurdle at Galway Festival (22f, good to soft) 51 days ago. That looks strong form and he'll appreciate any rain that falls dropping back down in trip. Solid claims returning to maiden company.

Form: 41070-2

Sea Eagle⁵⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: T E O'Connor⁽⁷⁾| T: Gerard O'Leary

7/1

Useful handicapper on Flat (stays 10.5f), won twice in 2024 and possibly needed run at Galway in July. Interesting hurdling debutant at this level and market should guide expectations.

Form:

Mount Hotham^h1³³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: P Hanlon⁽⁷⁾| T: J J Hanlon

100/1

Fairly useful maiden on the Flat in 2022 but showed nothing on return/stable debut when seventh of 8 in maiden hurdle at Tramore (14/1) 33 days ago, tailed off three out. Now hooded but remains with plenty to prove.

Form: 7

Scary Askari⁴⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Mr N McParlan| T: S McParlan

20/1

Makes some appeal on paper and showed much more than on debut when second of 5 in bumper (25/1) at this course (18.8f, good to firm) 40 days ago. Pedigree suggests he should handle easier going and while he could take another step forward, yard have a modest recent record with hurdle debutants.

Form: 62

North Winterfell²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-2| J: Philip Byrnes| T: C Byrnes

11/2

Fair on Flat and stepped up on his debut form in this sphere when fourth of 7 in novice hurdle at Down Royal (20f, good to firm) 21 days ago, took keen hold and made headway 3 out before fading after the last. Drop back in trip could suit based on that performance and he's one for the shortlist.

Form: 64

Annie Grey^t³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-11| J: Simon Torrens| T: N C Kelly

200/1

Pulled-up on debut and did best of the rest finishing well behind a dominant pair when third of 7 in novice hurdle at Sligo (20.5f, good) 30 days ago. Likely to be better off in handicaps.

Form: P3

Hello Yes²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: R Deegan| T: S McParlan

100/1

Showed benefit of reappearance when fifth of 13 in novice hurdle at Wexford (24f, good) 21 days ago. Drops markedly down in trip and seemingly being brought along with handicaps in mind.

Form: 0-05

October Hill³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-11| J: Sean Flanagan| T: C Bowe| OR: 100

11/2

Consistent in maiden hurdles, hitting the frame for the third consecutive race when second of 9 in novice hurdle (14/1) at Tramore (16.4f, good to firm) 35 days ago, no match for odds-on winner. Should remain competitive on easier ground over a slightly longer trip.

Form: 65-9332

Wings Of Eve¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-11| J: A Balfe⁽⁷⁾| T: G P Cromwell

150/1

Showed little more than on debut when twelfth of 15 in novice hurdle (100/1) at Kilbeggan (19.4f, good) 14 days ago. May prove one for the longer-term.

Form: 00

Boston Queen⁶⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 10-9| J: J C Gainford| T: G Elliott

50/1

Fared no better on second start when ninth of 13 in novice hurdle (40/1) at Sligo (17.4f, good) 68 days ago. Likely the stable second-string behind First Ascent.

Form: 99

Imperial Miss^t1⁷⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 10-9| J: J J Slevin| T: T Gibney

14/1

Some promise on what was effectively her hurdling bow when fifth of 11 at Downpatrick (21.8f) but failed to repeat that effort at Tipperary (100/1) 78 days ago, Tongue strap on but may prove more effective in handicaps over further.

Form: U50

Notmiwadi²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 10-9| J: Alex Harvey⁽³⁾| T: J C McConnell

80/1

Only showed a bit more than she had in a pair of bumpers when seventh of 9 in novice hurdle (125/1) at this C&D (good) on hurdles bow 25 days ago. Improvement to find.

Form: 0-97

Trixaboutmaisie

Age: 4| Weight: 10-9| J: Eoin Staples⁽⁷⁾| T: C Bowe

33/1

Wings of Eagles filly. Half-sister to 3 winners, including fair hurdler I Am Spider Man and poor hurdler Skin Full. Market should prove informative on debut for yard who also saddle October Hill.

Form:

Tudorista⁴⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 10-9| J: Conor Stone-Walsh| T: G P Cromwell

20/1

Showed promise when fourth in a couple of maiden hurdles prior to offering less when eighth of 11 in bumper (12/1) at Wexford (16f, good to soft) 44 days ago. From a good yard and no surprise to see her get back on track returned to hurdles.

Form: 448

Owl's Delight⁵⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Danny Mullins| T: Alan McIntyre

100/1

Hooded with tongue strap on (now removed) when ninth of 10 in bumper at Wexford (16.7f, good to soft, 12/1) on NH debut 57 days ago. Significant improvement needed on stable/hurdle debut. RESERVE

Form: 9

Non-Runners

First Ascent⁴⁸

Weight: 11-2| Age: 4

T: G Elliott J: Jack Kennedy

Shanliss Tricks

Weight: 10-9| Age: 4

T: P E Collins J: Reserve 2

Biddy Early²¹

Weight: 10-9| Age: 4

T: E Sheehy J: Reserve 3

Forecasts

High Court Cave (8/13), October Hill (11/2), North Winterfell (11/2), First Ascent (6/1), Sea Eagle (7/1), Imperial Miss (14/1), Tudorista (20/1), Scary Askari (20/1), Trixaboutmaisie (33/1), Boston Queen (50/1), Notmiwadi (80/1), Hello Yes (100/1), Mount Hotham (100/1), Owl's Delight (100/1), Wings Of Eve (150/1), Annie Grey (200/1)

HIGH COURT CAVE finished second in a strong handicap at Galway and may be able to defy the drop back in trip to get off the mark over hurdles. October Hill has been consistent in maiden hurdles and should give another good account, while North Winterfell improved from his debut when fourth at Down Royal and may benefit from this shorter distance. Of the rest, Tudorista may get back on track over hurdles, while First Ascent and Sea Eagle look interesting hurdle debutants