2:12 Downpatrick
This 2m1f165y Randox Handicap Hurdle at Downpatrick on good ground brings together a competitive field of 12 where the KTB Fit scores are tightly bunched at the top. Portnacoo heads the numbers on 69, just ahead of Quint Major on 67, with the next three all hovering around the mid-50s. The race lacks any obvious pace influence, which according to the KTB assessment points to a steadily-run, tactical affair in which positioning and timing will be critical.
How the race shapes up
With no horse wanting to take the race by the scruff from the front, the pace shape is expected to be steady and tactical. Most of the field, including all five principals, are typically held-up types who produce their efforts late, meaning the race is likely to develop into a sprint for the line from around the home turn. The key question is which horse can get into a handy enough position without using up too much energy early, as being handy in a race of this nature is predicted to pay dividends.
The KTB Fit ranking
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1Portnacoo KTB Selection69/100
Portnacoo is a smart performer with a strong record at Downpatrick, where he has won three of his five starts. He also boasts a perfect record on good ground with two wins from two starts and has won two of his three runs at today's trip. The drop back from 3m1f looks a sensible move, though the trainer's modest 7% strike rate at the track is a slight negative. Held up in his races, he usually produces his effort late. Donagh Meyler takes the ride, a jockey with a 17% strike rate at Downpatrick and an A/E of 1.25 from 82 rides. Portnacoo is the KTB Selection.
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2Quint Major67/100
Quint Major is a useful performer who has shown mixed form of late with a pair of modest efforts this season. Trainer M A Molloy enjoys a strong record at Downpatrick with a 44% strike rate and an A/E of 3.13 from nine runs, though this is the horse's first run here. He steps up in trip for the first time today while the jockey Daniel King also holds a solid course strike rate of 19% and an A/E of 1.32 from 21 rides. The combination of trainer and jockey stats reads 5/34 (15%) with an A/E of 1.20 and positive LSP of +£0.43. Usually held up, he produces his effort late.
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3Chantilly Wings57/100
Chantilly Wings is a useful performer who arrives in decent nick with three straight placed efforts and has the ratings to be competitive at this level. He drops back in trip today which asks a fresh question while the yard and jockey both hold solid records at Downpatrick. The trainer has an 11% strike rate at the track with an A/E of 1.09 from 45 runs, and Jordan Gainford operates at 14% with an A/E of 1.07 from 93 rides. Their combined record stands at 13/164 (8%) with an A/E of 0.92 and LSP of +£6.33. A held-up performer, he usually produces his effort late, and his going record shows one placing from three starts on good without a win.
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4Gone For Tea56/100
Gone For Tea is a useful performer who has been placed in all four runs at Downpatrick without winning. He drops back in trip today having last run over two and a half miles, with a previous win at this distance from four attempts. Trainer Noel C. Kelly and jockey Conor Stone-Walsh both operate at a 7% strike rate here, with the trainer's figures reading 7% and an A/E of 0.78 from 208 runs, while the jockey is on 7% with an A/E of 0.63 from 41 rides. Their combined record is 1/35 (3%) with an A/E of 0.44 and LSP of -£25.00. Usually held up, though with limited evidence, he has a record of one win from five starts on good with four placings.
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5Beggars Rock56/100
Beggars Rock is a useful performer who has already won over this trip and at this track from just one visit. Three wins on good ground add to the positives and the recent form figures show real momentum. The trainer Ian Patrick Donoghue has a 12% strike rate at Downpatrick with an A/E of 0.87 from 77 runs, and Kevin Sexton operates at 12% with an A/E of 1.00 from 126 rides. Usually held up, he produces his effort late. His course record stands at one win from one start and he has three wins from ten starts on good with five placings.
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6Dairy Force55/100
Dairy Force is a useful performer who has run well in defeat more often than not this season. Placed over this trip without winning and showed his best form when second here last year, though he failed to complete his latest start over fences. Gordon Elliott has a solid 18% strike-rate at Downpatrick while James Smith is operating above expectations at the track with a 14% strike rate and A/E of 1.1 from 42 rides. Usually held up, his going record shows two placings from seven starts on good without a win.
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7Migdam53/100
Migdam is a smart performer with a solid career record and proven ability on good ground where he has two wins from eight starts. He steps up in trip today having been unsuccessful in his one previous attempt at this distance and makes his first appearance at Downpatrick. The trainer's modest 3% strike rate from 39 runs here adds a note of caution. Usually held up, he produces his effort late.
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8Lilac Lady52/100
Lilac Lady is a useful performer on the balance of her ratings and recent form that includes two wins this season. She has solid placed form at today's trip though drops back from 2m5f, while her record on good ground reads just 1-15. The yard has a 13% strike-rate at Downpatrick from a big sample but the jockey is still seeking a first winner here from six rides and the mare herself could only finish fifth on her sole course start. Usually held up, she produces her effort late.
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9Derry Lad51/100
Derry Lad is a useful performer with a solid overall profile backed by ratings and race history. He has placed here before and goes well on good ground, though he is 0-17 in that going and steps up in trip today having last run over 1m3f. The trainer has no previous runners at Downpatrick while the jockey operates at a 10% strike rate from 152 rides here. Usually held up, he produces his effort late.
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10Earl Neigh51/100
Earl Neigh is a useful performer on the balance of his ratings and race history but recent form of 36-P00 is poor and suggests he is out of sorts. The trainer has a modest 3% strike rate from 33 runs at Downpatrick while the jockey has a solid 13% record from his 24 rides here. Trip is a question as he has tried this distance once without success and the small overall sample means going suitability remains unknown. Usually held up, he produces his effort late.
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11Calm Flight Ahead46/100
Calm Flight Ahead is a useful performer who showed the benefit of a recent run when winning over this trip on good ground at this track last time. The yard has a modest 7% strike-rate here from a huge sample while the claiming jockey is operating at a similar level from smaller numbers. Lightly raced on this surface but the one run produced a win so no obvious negatives on that front. Usually held up, he produces his effort late.
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12Viceregent40/100
Viceregent is a useful performer on his day but arrives in modest recent form having failed to complete or place in four of his last five starts. The trainer has a poor 3% strike rate from 244 runs at Downpatrick while the jockey has only one ride here so far. He has been competitive on good ground without winning and is unproven at this exact trip. Usually held up, he produces his effort late.
KTB verdict
Portnacoo stands out as the KTB Selection on the back of his smart level of ability and particularly his excellent record at Downpatrick, where three wins from five starts underline his effectiveness at the venue. The drop back in trip from 3m1f is viewed as a positive, and his perfect record on good ground further strengthens the case in conditions that suit. The main dangers are headed by Quint Major, whose trainer has an outstanding record at the track, and Chantilly Wings, who brings consistent placed form and solid course trainer and jockey stats. Gone For Tea and Beggars Rock complete the main principals, the latter with recent momentum and a prior course-and-distance success.
KTB Selection Portnacoo
Morning odds
Best available price per runner, captured 00:02 UTC, 18 Sep. These are a morning snapshot and will have moved — see the live racecard for current prices.
| Runner | Morning price | Bookmaker |
|---|---|---|
| Portnacoo | 18/1 | Bet365 |
| Quint Major | 17/2 | Bet365 |
| Chantilly Wings | 5/1 | Bet365 |
| Gone For Tea | 28/1 | Bet365 |
| Beggars Rock | 5/2 | Dragon Bet |
| Dairy Force | 8/1 | Dragon Bet |
| Migdam | 20/1 | Bet365 |
| Lilac Lady | 11/1 | Dragon Bet |
| Derry Lad | 10/1 | Bet365 |
| Earl Neigh | 28/1 | Bet Victor |
| Calm Flight Ahead | 9/2 | Bet Victor |
| Viceregent | 40/1 | Bet Victor |
This is the narrative read of the 2:12 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
Why is the drop back in trip a sensible move for Portnacoo?
Portnacoo has won two of his three runs at today's trip and the KTB Intelligence identifies the drop back from 3m1f as a sensible move.
How does the trainer of Quint Major perform at Downpatrick?
Trainer M A Molloy has a 44% strike rate at Downpatrick with an A/E of 3.13 from nine runs.
What is Gone For Tea's record at Downpatrick?
Gone For Tea has been placed in all four runs at Downpatrick without winning, recording figures of 3rd, 2nd, 2nd and 3rd.
What recent form does Beggars Rock bring into the race?
Beggars Rock arrives with recent form figures of 3-6011 that show real momentum.
What was Dairy Force's best effort at Downpatrick?
Dairy Force showed his best form when second here last year.
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