Racecards
12:35 Downpatrick (IRE)
Northern Ireland Maiden Hurdle
- 9 Runners
- Distance: 2m 2f 50y
- Going: Soft
- Surface: Turf
- €7,500 added
- Winner: €5,174
- 2nd: €1,200
- 3rd: €526
- 4th: €300
- Form 1
- Age 4
- Weight 11-9
- Trainer P J Rothwell
- Jockey A P Crowe
always towards rear, ridden and no extra approaching 3 out
- Form 24
- Age 4
- Weight 11-4
- Trainer G Elliott
- Jockey Paul Carberry
tracked leader in 2nd, ridden and dropped to 4th after 3 out, soon no extra, left moderate 3rd after last
- Age 4
- Weight 11-4
always towards rear, lost touch after 4 out, weakened, completely tailed off
- Form 5-50
- Age 4
- Weight 11-4
- Trainer J J Hanlon
- Jockey B Hayes
chased leaders, 6th halfway, ridden along in 7th when mistake 3 out, no threat and kept on one pace to go moderate 4th run-in
- Form 2270-
- Age 4
- Weight 11-4
- Official Rating 119
- Trainer W P Mullins
- Jockey P Townend
led, strongly pressed 2 out and headed last, ridden and soon no impression on winner, no extra
- Form 7-38
- Age 4
- Weight 11-4
- Trainer H De Bromhead
- Jockey A E Lynch
tracked leaders in 3rd, headway into 2nd approaching 2 out and led last, driven out to assert run-in, stayed on well
- Age 4
- Weight 11-4
- Trainer C O'Dwyer
- Jockey D N Russell
chased leaders in 4th, ridden and no extra after 3 out, weakened
- Form 70-4603
- Age 4
- Weight 10-11
- Official Rating 99
- Trainer D O'Brien
- Jockey Mr H D Dunne
chased leaders, 5th halfway, no extra after 3 out, kept on one pace
- Form 497P
- Age 4
- Weight 10-11
- Official Rating 92
- Trainer J J Lambe
- Jockey E J O'connell
settled towards rear, 7th halfway, headway into 3rd after 3 out, ridden 2 out and no impression when mistake and unseated rider last
In depth
Verdict
SARABAD has been an expensive failure in his two races since arriving from France with a big reputation after just being touched off in a Listed event at Auteuil. He ran a shocker when tailed off at Thurles in January but Willie Mullins has given him time to mature and very much better is expected. Bottle Rattler has a penalty to carry as the only winner in the race having gained a surprise success in a bumper on this track in September. He's bred to be a stayer over jumps so that victory was a bonus and he'll make his presence felt. Anthem Royale has shown a little potential in a pont-to-point and a Naas bumper while Kilmainham produced by far his best run to date when a close fourth behind Blacklough at Fairyhouse last week. Sizing Jo'Burg is superbly bred for this game and is definitely one for the future as is the French-bred newcomer Ussius, while I C Gold ran her best race to date at Wexford last time.
Formwatch
Bottle Rattler (IRE) 25-1 (11-3) Waited with towards rear, headway to chase leaders 5f out, soon close up, stayed on well under pressure final furlong to lead on line, won at Downpatrick 2m 2f ldy N H flat gd in Sep beating Balboni (11-3) by shd, 15 ran.
Anthem Royale (IRE) 25-1 (10-10) Mid-division, 8th 5f out, went moderate 5th and ridden 2f out, kept on one paced, 4th of 13, 24l behind Road To Riches (11-7) at Naas 2m 3f N H flat hvy in Oct.
Crazy Lad (IRE) Millenary gelding out of Luso Lass.
Knockanarrigan (IRE) 25-1 (10-13) Towards rear for most, no extra from 3 out, 12th of 14, 40l behind Art Of Logistics (11-9) at Down Royal 2m mdn hdl gs.
Sarabad (FR) 2-1fav (10-7) Soon led, headed from 5 out, weakened approaching 3 out, 10th of 17, well behind Argocat (10-5) at Thurles 2m mdn hdl sft in Jan.
Sizing Jo'burg (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Prominent early, held up in touch, ridden over 4f out, weakened inside final furlong, 8th of 17, 17l behind Southfield Theatre (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m NH flat (4) gs in Oct.
Ussius (FR) Voix Du Nord gelding out of Law.
I C Gold (IRE) 33-1 (10-2) Mid-division, 6th halfway, pushed along in 5th 2 out, kept on same pace in straight to go 3rd run-in, no threat to first 2, 3rd of 10, 7l behind Cops And Robbers (11-7) at Wexford 2m 4yo mdn hdl gd in Oct.
Sultana Belle (IRE) 20-1 (11-7) Never better than mid-division, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Underdefloorboards (11-7) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hcp hdl 80-95 in Oct, 16 ran.
Kilmainham (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, close 2nd 2 out, soon ridden, no extra run-in, 4th of 14, 3 1/2l behind Blacklough (11-9) at Fairyhouse 2m mdn hdl sft.