1:37 Downpatrick
This 2m1f165y maiden hurdle at Downpatrick on good ground features a field of 16, many of them lightly raced or with only modest form to their name. The KTB Fit scores identify a clear top pick on figures, though several others bring placed form, course experience or strong yard connections that keep the contest competitive. With the race lacking an obvious leader, the KTB numbers suggest a steadily-run affair in which experience and tactical positioning could prove decisive.
How the race shapes up
The pace shape indicates no natural front-runner, pointing to a steadily-run, tactical race in which being handy or well placed should pay dividends. Nirisque is the most prominent of the principals and could take up a forward position, while the likes of World As One, Lygon Lad, Fairy Meadow and Katie Can't Count are all typically held up and will be looking to produce their efforts late off what is expected to be an even gallop. The key question is whether the race develops enough pace for the closers or whether those on the speed can dictate matters to their advantage.
The KTB Fit ranking
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1World As One KTB Selection64/100
World As One is a smart performer who has finished in the first three on four of his five starts and arrives here off the back of a solid second last time. He steps up in trip today having already placed over this distance, which looks a sensible move. Mullins has a strong 26% strike rate at Downpatrick while King is operating above expectations with a 19% strike rate from his 21 rides here. Usually held up, he produces his effort late and should be suited by the anticipated steady gallop. His placed form on good ground from four attempts underlines his competitiveness, and he holds a clear edge on the KTB Fit rating of 64.
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2Nirisque55/100
Nirisque is a smart performer who has shown strong placed form at this trip on his only attempt. The step up from 2m should suit and he already has solid course connections through his trainer. Jockey and trainer both hold useful records at Downpatrick though the small overall career footprint leaves some unknowns. Usually racing prominently, he is likely to be on or close to the lead in a race that lacks an obvious front-runner. Unproven on good ground, that remains the main reservation, yet his placed efforts mark him out as a leading contender on the KTB Fit score of 55.
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3Lygon Lad53/100
Lygon Lad is a smart performer who has shown consistent ability in recent starts and holds strong course connections here. He was a solid fifth on his only previous run at Downpatrick and has placed once from three attempts on good ground. Dropping back in trip poses a fresh question while the yard and jockey both hold established 18% strike rates at the track. Usually held up, he will be looking to come from off the pace in what is set to be a tactical affair. The KTB Fit rating of 53 keeps him firmly in the mix among the principals.
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4Fairy Meadow53/100
Fairy Meadow has shown some ability with a placed effort here over this trip on his only completed start. The small overall sample means his level is still unclear and the recent fall adds a question mark. Trainer Emmet Mullins has a 19% strike rate at Downpatrick from 21 runs while jockey Donagh Meyler records 17% from 82 rides at the track. Usually held up, he will need to time his run well in a steadily-run race. Placed once from two starts on good ground, he brings course form that few of his rivals can match.
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5Lisnadill48/100
Lisnadill has shown little in 11 starts and was well beaten on its most recent outing. The trainer holds a modest 7% strike rate at Downpatrick from a large sample while the 7lb claimer has a solid 20% record from his five rides here. Dropping back in trip poses a fresh question and the horse remains only placed on good ground without a win. Typically settling in midfield, he will hope the steady pace allows him to improve his position. The KTB Fit score of 48 reflects a more modest profile than the leading principals.
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6Sky Charmer47/100
Sky Charmer is a debutant with very little public form to go on. The pedigree and sales background offer the only real clues here and the trainer has a solid 15% strike rate at Downpatrick from a big sample. The jockey is less established at the track with a 7% strike rate from 41 rides.
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7So Golden46/100
So Golden has shown little in five starts to date and now tries a big step up in trip for the first time. The yard posts a 7% strike rate from 208 runs at Downpatrick while Carl Millar is 9% from 32 rides here. First-time headgear is applied but with only modest form on the page and a small going sample this looks like a watching brief.
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8Blue Trix44/100
Blue Trix has only a single run under his belt and showed little when seventh on debut. The drop back in trip poses a fresh question while the small sample means his ability remains largely unknown. Mullins has a solid 26% strike rate at Downpatrick from 286 runs and Danny Mullins rides with a 9% strike rate from 207 rides here.
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9Little Ginger44/100
Little Ginger has shown some promise with a win on good ground last time but now steps up in trip for the first time which asks a fresh question. The yard's modest record at Downpatrick offers little encouragement while the 7lb claimer has a solid strike rate here from a small sample. Lightly raced overall and not fully exposed but the recent form is mixed.
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10Lone Ash Lad43/100
Lone Ash Lad was well beaten on his only start so far and remains very lightly raced. The trainer has a modest 7% strike rate from 208 runs at Downpatrick while the jockey is on 5% from 134 rides here. He steps up in trip today with no real going clues available from his single run.
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11Katie Can't Count41/100
Katie Can't Count showed fair form when fourth on her only start here and followed that with a fall last time. She now drops back in trip to a distance she has never tried, which asks a fresh question of this lightly-raced mare. Mullins has a solid 26% strike rate at Downpatrick from 286 runs while Hayes records a 6% strike rate from 129 rides at the track.
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12Piper Street41/100
Piper Street has shown little in two starts so far, finishing well beaten on both occasions. The yard operates at a 7% strike rate here from a big sample while the jockey is 1-30 at the track. Stepping up in trip is an unknown and with only two runs on the board the overall picture remains very unclear.
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13Money Shuffler40/100
Money Shuffler has shown very little in nine career starts and arrives off the back of a poor recent run. The step up in trip poses a fresh question while the yard's modest 6% strike-rate at Downpatrick and the jockey's blank record from 33 rides here add further reservations. Going form on good ground is also unconvincing.
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14Baila Conmigo38/100
Baila Conmigo has shown steady placed form in recent runs yet remains winless after 20 starts and has failed to place from four attempts on good ground. The trainer holds a 3% strike rate from 34 runs at Downpatrick while the jockey is 4% from 27 rides here. Stepping up in trip for the first time asks a fresh question of a horse making its debut at this track.
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15Bluebell Breeze38/100
Bluebell Breeze has shown only modest form in four starts with a best effort of fourth on her latest outing. She steps up in trip today for the first time which asks a fresh question of her. The trainer has had too few runners here to judge while the jockey is 0-16 at the track.
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16Tommy Go Maith37/100
Tommy Go Maith has struggled since early promise, with recent efforts reading P-PPU8. He drops back in trip today having been well held over 2m6f last time, though he showed little when tried at this distance previously. Only one run at Downpatrick and the trainer's small sample here makes it hard to gauge home advantage.
KTB verdict
World As One stands out on the KTB Fit ratings and looks the one to beat. A smart performer with placed form on four of five starts, including a solid second last time, he steps up in trip having already shown he handles the distance and benefits from the powerful Mullins yard's strong record at Downpatrick. The steadily-run nature of the race should suit his held-up style. Main dangers are Nirisque, who brings strong placed form at the trip and forward-running potential, and Lygon Lad, who has course experience and consistent recent efforts. Fairy Meadow's placed effort over the track and trip also demands respect.
KTB Selection World As One
Morning odds
Best available price per runner, captured 00:09 UTC, 18 Sep. These are a morning snapshot and will have moved — see the live racecard for current prices.
| Runner | Morning price | Bookmaker |
|---|---|---|
| World As One | evn | Bet365 |
| Nirisque | 13/2 | BetTom |
| Lygon Lad | 5/1 | Bet365 |
| Fairy Meadow | 12/1 | BetTom |
| Lisnadill | 125/1 | Bet365 |
| Sky Charmer | 40/1 | Bet365 |
| So Golden | 20/1 | BetTom |
| Blue Trix | 14/1 | William Hill |
| Little Ginger | 10/1 | BetTom |
| Lone Ash Lad | 66/1 | Bet365 |
| Katie Can't Count | 11/1 | Bet365 |
| Piper Street | 125/1 | Bet365 |
| Money Shuffler | 100/1 | Bet365 |
| Baila Conmigo | 14/1 | Bet365 |
| Bluebell Breeze | 18/1 | BetTom |
| Tommy Go Maith | 125/1 | BetTom |
This is the narrative read of the 1:37 Downpatrick. For the live card — runner-by-runner stats, the full Fit Score breakdown and current odds — see the Downpatrick racecard. Every result we hold for the track is on the Downpatrick results & records page. New here? How KTB works explains the Fit Score and why we publish both.
Questions about this race
Which horse is stepping up in trip having already placed over the distance?
World As One steps up in trip today having already placed over this distance.
How many principals are typically held up in running?
World As One, Lygon Lad and Fairy Meadow are all usually held up and produce their effort late.
Which horse has course form at Downpatrick over this trip?
Fairy Meadow has a placed effort here over this trip on his only completed start.
What is the trainer strike rate at Downpatrick for the yard of the KTB selection?
Mullins has a 26% strike rate at Downpatrick.
Which runner is making its debut over hurdles with first-time headgear?
So Golden tries first-time headgear having shown little in five starts.
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