4:20 Downpatrick
The 4:20 at Downpatrick is a beginners chase over an extended 2m7f on good to yielding ground, featuring a field of nine runners making the transition from hurdles or pointing. The KTB Fit Scores are tightly bunched, headed by Huntsgrove on 60, with Saunton Surf, Coppola and Schiehallion all within eight points, suggesting a competitive heat where course form, trainer trends at the track and proven stamina will carry extra weight. Official ratings and recent placed efforts indicate several have the ability to figure, but the KTB numbers highlight clear distinctions in trainer and jockey effectiveness at this venue.
How the race shapes up
With no confirmed front-runner in the field and a majority of runners showing mid-division or prominent run-styles, the pace is expected to be on the steady side early on. Saunton Surf and Coppola have both shown a tendency to race prominently or track the leaders, while Huntsgrove and Schiehallion are likely to settle further back. The key question will be whether the race develops into a test of stamina up the hill or if those with the sharper jumping and tactical speed can dominate from the front.
The KTB Fit ranking
- 1Huntsgrove KTB Selection60/100
- 2Saunton Surf55/100
- 3Coppola53/100
- 4Schiehallion52/100
- 5Kalsman51/100
- 6Welcome Back50/100
- 7Coolboy Christy46/100
- 8Tropical Image44/100
- 9Anodandawink42/100
The contenders
Huntsgrove KTB Fit 60/100
Huntsgrove arrives as the KTB Selection with a Fit Score of 60 and is taken to make a winning start over fences. The 8-year-old has shown modest form on the track in recent seasons, finishing fifth, fourth and seventh before a pulled-up effort last time, yet he retains enough ability to be competitive at this level. John Patrick Ryan's operation carries a 4% strike rate at Downpatrick with an A/E of 0.43, while the 2/33 trainer-jockey combination with John Aherne produces an A/E of 1.18. Placed twice from five starts on good to yielding ground, the gelding should handle the surface even if he has yet to record a course win. His run-style suggests he will come from off the pace, which could prove ideal if the race is run at a steady gallop.
Saunton Surf KTB Fit 55/100
Saunton Surf holds the second-highest KTB Fit Score on 55 and looks sure to go well having shown placed form over fences. A second on his most recent start adds to previous fifth-place finishes, and the 7-year-old has already demonstrated he handles this track, finishing second and fifth in two runs here. Gary McGill posts a 6% strike rate at Downpatrick with an A/E of 1.13, while Philip Donovan's 6% strike rate from 17 rides at the venue carries an A/E of 0.72. The gelding has been placed once from one run on good to yielding ground and his prominent run-style should see him involved from the early stages. He remains a major player in a race that could suit his tactical speed.
Coppola KTB Fit 53/100
Coppola is rated 53 on the KTB Fit scale and enters the race with strong support from the powerful Gordon Elliott yard. The 7-year-old has consistent placed form on the board, including seconds on three of his last four completed starts before a pulled-up effort, and he has already shown his liking for Downpatrick by finishing second here. Elliott's 19% strike rate at the track from 908 runners is backed by an A/E of 0.9, while Kevin Sexton's 11% strike rate from 116 rides produces an A/E of 0.98. Although he is yet to win or place from two runs on good to yielding ground, his overall profile suggests he will be in the mix again. Likely to race prominently, he could be the one to catch if the pace remains moderate.
Schiehallion KTB Fit 52/100
Schiehallion is given a KTB Fit Score of 52 and cannot be ruled out in a race where several hold chances. The 9-year-old has shown flashes of ability, notably a second on his penultimate start, though a pulled-up effort last time tempers enthusiasm. Dermot A McLoughlin's 8% strike rate at Downpatrick comes with an A/E of 1.00, and claiming jockey Alix Balfe has a 13% strike rate at the track from just eight rides with an A/E of 1.02. He has been placed once from six starts on good to yielding ground and holds course experience, albeit without winning. His tendency to race in mid-division or further back could see him benefit if the leaders go too hard early.
The rest of the field
KalsmanKTB Fit 51/100
Kalsman has a KTB Fit Score of 51 and is the sole course winner in the field from seven runs here. Recent efforts have been modest, however, and the Liam Lennon yard's 3% strike rate at Downpatrick with an A/E of 0.42, allied to Kieren Buckley's 5% strike rate from 57 rides and A/E of 0.41, suggest he faces a stiff task on good to yielding ground where he is yet to win or place from five starts.
Welcome BackKTB Fit 50/100
Welcome Back is rated 50 on the KTB Fit scale but has shown little in three runs this year. Cian Collins has a solid 12% strike rate at Downpatrick with an A/E of 1.25, and Carl Millar is 11% from 28 rides with an A/E of 0.88, yet the 6-year-old was well beaten on his only previous start here and holds no placed form from two runs on good to yielding ground.
Coolboy ChristyKTB Fit 46/100
Coolboy Christy carries a KTB Fit Score of 46 and has placed at this track without winning. The P J Rothwell-trained 5-year-old has a placed effort from three course visits and the yard's 7% strike rate at Downpatrick is matched by Ricky Doyle's 7% from 83 rides, but he has failed to win or place from two starts on good to yielding ground and recent form is ordinary.
Tropical ImageKTB Fit 44/100
Tropical Image is rated 44 by KTB yet has shown some promise with a second on his latest start. The Eoin Christopher McCarthy-trained 9-year-old has a win and a place from five runs on good to yielding ground, though he has no course form. Mike O'Connor's 11% strike rate at Downpatrick with an A/E of 1.02 offers some encouragement, but overall he looks short of the principals.
AnodandawinkKTB Fit 42/100
Anodandawink has a KTB Fit Score of 42 and recent form that includes a third but also several poor efforts. The Ciaran Murphy-trained 5-year-old has been placed once from two starts on good to yielding ground, yet the yard's 3% strike rate at Downpatrick with an A/E of 0.51 and Eoghan Finegan's 0% record from 16 rides at the track point to limited prospects.
KTB verdict
Huntsgrove is the KTB Selection and shapes as though he can make the most of his fitness and the likely steady pace. His ability to race off the pace should be an asset if the prominent runners go hard, and the combination of his good-to-yielding placed form and the positive A/E figures for the Ryan-Aherne partnership add to his claims. Saunton Surf and Coppola, both with strong course placings and yard trends in their favour, look the most obvious dangers, while Schiehallion could improve on his recent effort if the race falls his way. The race is likely to be decided by jumping accuracy and how well the prominent runners conserve energy up the hill.
KTB Selection Huntsgrove
Morning odds
Best available price per runner, captured 00:02 UTC, 13 Jun. These are a morning snapshot and will have moved — see the live racecard for current prices.
| Runner | Morning price | Bookmaker |
|---|---|---|
| Huntsgrove | 25/1 | Bet365 |
| Saunton Surf | 7/4 | Bet Victor |
| Coppola | 13/2 | Bet Victor |
| Schiehallion | 14/1 | Bet365 |
| Kalsman | 16/1 | BetTom |
| Welcome Back | 12/1 | Bet365 |
| Coolboy Christy | 7/1 | Bet365 |
| Tropical Image | 7/2 | Bet365 |
| Anodandawink | 8/1 | Bet365 |
This is the narrative read of the 4:20 Downpatrick. For the live card — runner-by-runner stats, the full Fit Score breakdown and current odds — see the Downpatrick racecard. New here? How KTB works explains the Fit Score and why we publish both.
Questions about this race
Which horse has the strongest course record among the principals?
Saunton Surf has the strongest course record among the principals, having finished second and fifth in two runs at Downpatrick.
How does the trainer of Coppola perform at Downpatrick?
Gordon Elliott has a 19% strike rate at Downpatrick from 908 runs with an A/E of 0.9.
Which runners are likely to be prominent early?
Saunton Surf and Coppola have both shown a tendency to race prominently or track the leaders.
Has any horse in the field won over the course?
Kalsman is the only horse in the field to have won at Downpatrick, recording one win from seven starts here.
What is the going record for the selection Huntsgrove?
Huntsgrove has been placed twice from five starts on good to yielding ground and is described as competitive though without a win on the surface.
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