Racecards
15:40 Downpatrick (IRE)
Downpatrick Racecourse, Aiming To Succeed Novice Hurdle
- 6 Runners
- Distance: 2m 1f 172y
- Going: Good to Firm, Firm in places
- Surface: Turf
- €10,500 added
- Winner: €7,246
- 2nd: €1,785
- 3rd: €840
- 4th: €525
- Form 742441
- Age 5
- Weight 11-12
- Trainer P Martin
- Jockey A P Thornton
settled 5th, driven along and outpaced 4 out, 4th and some progress 2 out, stayed on from last to go moderate 2nd near finish
- Form 602142
- Age 6
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 110
close up in 2nd, disputed lead from 4 out, led before 2 out, ridden clear before last, stayed on well
- Form 225581
- Age 6
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 97
soon 3rd, slight mistake 2nd, 4th under pressure when slight mistake 3 out, moderate 5th 2 out, kept on from last
- Form 2-5123
- Age 4
- Weight 11-7
- Official Rating 115
- Trainer T M Walsh
- Jockey Ruby Walsh
led, joined 4 out, ridden and headed before 2 out, 2nd and outpaced before last, kept on under pressure
- Form P3-P009
- Age 7
- Weight 11-5
always in rear, lost touch 4 out, tailed off
Flying Bella
23- Form 7-55641
- Age 4
- Weight 11-2
- Trainer J J Lambe
- Jockey E J O'connell
settled 4th, slight mistake 3rd, 3rd 4 out, no extra under pressure from before 2 out
Verdict
Potential supporters of Imperial Shabra should keep an eye on the result of the opening event as Blue Turk finished eight lengths behind at Kilbeggan. Patrick O'Brady's charge has been beaten twice subsequently though in better company and should go well. Doransfirth is very consistent so it's a surprise that it took her 16 attempts to lose her maiden tag over timber which she did in grand style at Kilbeggan while Mr Dazza took even longer to gain his first success - his recent victory at Tramore coming on his 19th start. The four-year-old Flying Bella is on the upgrade as she showed at Kilbeggan but she has something to find with HAIL CAESAR on their run at Ballinrobe earlier and Ted Walsh's charge looks good enough to take this despite an odds-on defeat at Roscommon.
Formwatch
Fleeting Moment (IRE) 9-2 (11-1) Mid-division, pushed along from 5 out, 8th next, improved into 4th approaching 2 out and wide, stayed on well under pressure from last to lead near line, won at Tramore 2m mdn hdl fm beating Haventabobphil (10-13) by shd, 14 ran.
Imperial Shabra (IRE) 7-1 (11-5) Attempted to make all, ridden and strongly pressed entering straight, headed after last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 8, 3l behind One Cool Tornado (11-12) at Galway 2m 4f nh nov hdl gf.
Mr Dazza (IRE) 11-4fav (11-4) Mid-division, progress to track leaders from 5 out, 2nd and challenged from before 2 out, on terms last, soon led and stayed on best, won at Tramore 2m Maiden Hurdle (6yo+) fm beating Betabob (11-4) by 1 3/4l, 12 ran.
Hail Caesar (IRE) 8-11fav (11-6) Keen hold, prominent, pulled wide straight, dropped to 3rd and no impression between last 2, kept on same pace, 3rd of 8, 9l behind Save My Blushes (10-13) at Roscommon 2m 4yo hdl gf.
Shanran (IRE) 25-1 (11-7) Towards rear, 9th over 6f out, no extra from under 4f out, 9th of 10, 40l behind Carrigmore Mollie (11-2) at Kilbeggan 2m N H flat gd.
Flying Bella 10-1 (10-6) Tracked leaders, 3rd 2 out, challenged between horses straight, on terms when not fluent last, soon led and stayed on well under pressure, won at Kilbeggan 2m 3f mares mdn hdl gd beating Clu Agus Cail (10-13) by 1l, 15 ran.
Doransfirth (IRE) 14-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, improved to lead 3 out, ridden clear next, stayed on well run-in, won at Kilbeggan 2m 3f cond hcp hdl 8Evens09 gd beating Mayday Frontier (11-4) by 2 1/2l, 15 ran.