Racecards
16:50 Downpatrick (IRE)
Sunday Fun Club Maiden Hurdle
- 6 Runners
- Distance: 2m 7f
- Going: Good
- Surface: Turf
- €8,000 added
- Winner: €5,520
- 2nd: €1,280
- 3rd: €560
- 4th: €320
- Form 22-2112
- Age 6
- Weight 11-12
- Trainer B R Hamilton
- Jockey P Townend
held up behind leaders, improved into 2nd after 3 out, disputed lead travelling well on wide outer 2 out, led after last, stayed on strongly run-in, not extended
- Form 65-1
- Age 5
- Weight 11-12
- Trainer G Elliott
- Jockey D J Condon
tracked leaders, mistake 3rd, not fluent 5 out, soon under pressure, behind 3 out, pulled up before next
- Form 0750-29
- Age 8
- Weight 11-4
- Official Rating 94
- Trainer N McKnight
- Jockey R C Colgan
tracked leader in 2nd, led from 4th, ridden and joined 2 out, headed after last, kept on same pace without threatening winner
- Form 5608-3
- Age 6
- Weight 11-4
- Official Rating 102
- Trainer D H Kelly
- Jockey S W Flanagan
led, headed 4th, ridden and weakened after 3 out, remote 4th from next
- Form 8F5-4
- Age 8
- Weight 10-11
tracked leaders, 4th 3 out, soon ridden, moderate 3rd next, kept on one paced
Verdict
Better Back Bob would have a chance on his second to Lady Olwyn at Sligo but not on his latest start at Kilbeggan where he was tailed off. Big Kern won a point-to-point and a bumper before failing to land the odds here last month where he was beaten 12l by Moss Street. Railway Benefit is making very slow progress so this should go to TOM'S ARTICLE. Gordon Elliott's charge has very little to beat in a bumper here last month but did it nicely and with a smart jumping pedigree he's expected to make a successful transfer to hurdling.
Formwatch
Big Kern (IRE) 8-11fav (11-12) Led, headed after 1st, tracked leader in 2nd, not fluent 5th, pushed along to challenge 2 out, no impression on easy winner approaching last, kept on one pace, 2nd of 5, 12l behind Moss Street (11-1) at Downpatrick 2m 2f mdn hdl gd in Jul.
Tom's Article (IRE) 1-2fav (12-0) Led, headed 7f out, led again over 3f out, ridden clear and in command entering straight, kept on well, easily, won at Downpatrick 2m 2f NH flat gd in Jul beating Inchivara (11-7) by 13l, 4 ran.
Better Back Bob (IRE) 9-1 (11-12) Soon mid-division, briefly short of room after 7th, headway into moderate 5th from 3 out, soon no impression, no danger when not fluent 2 out, tailed off, 9th of 16, well behind Down Time (10-8) at Kilbeggan 3m hcp hdl 80-95 gd in Jun.
Railway Benefit (IRE) 8-1 (11-9) Close up, led from 1st, headed into straight, dropped to 4th before 2 out and no impression, kept on same pace run-in into 3rd close home, 3rd of 8, 22l behind Tulsa Jack (11-12) at Limerick 2m 4f mdn hdl gd in Jul.
I Told U That (IRE) Oscar mare out of Lady Faustus.
Old Castle Villa (IRE) 10-1 (11-11) Rr of mid div, 12th 1/2way, rdn & usp in poor 8th aftr 3out, no dngr to ldrs but but ko onepcd str, 4th of 17, 17l behind Rainbow Sally (11-11) at Stradbally 3m ire ptp gs in May.