Racecards
14:45 Downpatrick (IRE)
Irish Stallion Farms E.B.F. Mares Maiden Hurdle
- 8 Runners
- Distance: 2m 2f 50y
- Going: Yielding, Good to Yielding in places
- Surface: Turf
- €10,501 added
- Winner: €7,245
- 2nd: €1,680
- 3rd: €736
- 4th: €419
- Form 948223
- Age 7
- Weight 11-7
- Official Rating 109
- Trainer T Cooper
- Jockey B J Cooper
tracked leader in 2nd, chased clear leader in 3rd halfway, closer but driven along approaching 2 out, soon no impression and kept on one pace
- Form 991U80
- Age 6
- Weight 10-13
- Trainer C Cannon
- Jockey Andrew J McNamara
chased leaders in 5th, jumped left 5th and ran very wide off bend, soon pulled up
- Form 345323
- Age 5
- Weight 10-13
- Official Rating 107
- Trainer C Bowe
- Jockey D N Russell
led until headed after 4th, chased clear leader until headway to lead again approaching 2 out, soon ridden to assert and kept on well under pressure run-in
Meitheamh (IRE)
476- Form 0/339F0-
- Age 8
- Weight 10-13
- Official Rating 107
tracked leaders on inner and took keen hold, led after 4th and soon clear, headed approaching 2 out and soon no extra, weakened
- Form 9370
- Age 5
- Weight 10-13
- Trainer R Hennessy
- Jockey A E Lynch
in rear, headway after halfway and 4th 3 out, went 2nd before next but soon ridden along, kept on same pace under pressure run-in, no real impression on winner
- Form 6085
- Age 6
- Weight 10-13
tracked leaders in 3rd, chased clear leader in 4th halfway, ridden and no threat from 3 out
- Form 1P-070P
- Age 7
- Weight 10-13
- Trainer A J Black
- Jockey M A Enright
chased leaders in 6th, driven along in rear approaching 3 out, soon no extra and weakened
In depth
Verdict
Queen Of The Hill won a bumper over this trip and has been racing over slightly further since turning to hurdles. She has found little in the latter stages and this trip could be her optimum. MA BELLE AMIE, runner-up to Speckled Wood at Thurles last month, started a short-priced favourite at Fairyhouse a fortnight later but could only finish third behind Royal Flight. The 8lb she receives here can ensure she gains her first success with Sitcom, who has shown plenty of promise in bumpers, looking easily the best of the remainder.
Formwatch
Queen Of The Hill (FR) 7-2 (11-7) Prominent, disputed from 5 out, led 3 out, ridden and headed entering straight, no extra in 3rd last, kept on same pace, 3rd of 13, 4 1/2l behind Claudia Augusta (10-8) at Punchestown 2m 4f mares mdn hdl hvy in Feb.
En Suite (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Towards rear, some modest progress from 3 out, 10th when bad mistake next, no extra, 12th of 17, well behind Jennies Jewel (11-2) at Naas 2m 3f mdn hdl in Jan.
Ma Belle Amie 6-4fav (10-12) Led and disputed, pushed along before straight, headed 2 out, soon no impression and kept on same pace in moderate 3rd from before last, 3rd of 10, 5l behind Royal Flight (10-5) at Fairyhouse 2m mdn hdl sft in Feb.
Meitheamh (IRE) 10-1 (11-11) Mid-division, 8th halfway, headway into 5th 4 out, ridden in 6th entering straight, no extra, 10th of 15, 48l behind Harold's Cross (10-11) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hcp hdl 80-109 sft in Nov '11.
Sitcom (IRE) 4-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, headway to challenge 3f out, disputed 2f out, ridden in 2nd over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 15, 7l behind Art Of Logistics (11-0) at Roscommon 2m 4yo nhf hvy in Oct.
Ultra Light (FR) 20-1 (10-11) Always towards rear, 11th of 13, well behind Claudia Augusta (10-8) at Punchestown 2m 4f mares mdn hdl hvy in Feb.
Valley View Lady (IRE) 100-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden and weakened from 3 out, 5th of 6, well behind Rock Critic (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m hdl hvy in Feb.
Victors Girl (IRE) 100-1 (10-4) Led, headed after 6 out, not fluent 5 out and soon no extra, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Are Ya Right Chief (11-12) at Thurles 2m 6f mdn hdl hvy in Feb, 17 ran.