4:55 Downpatrick
The Kevin Ross Bloodstock Handicap Chase at Downpatrick on good to yielding ground brings together a field of 14 for this 2m7f150y contest. Recent form is mixed across the runners, with several showing signs of competitiveness but few in strong current nick. The KTB Fit ratings are tightly bunched at the top, headed by Doyen Wolf on 59, with four others between 53 and 57, suggesting an open-looking handicap where course knowledge and trainer form at the track could prove decisive.
How the race shapes up
With no confirmed front-runner in the field and the majority of runners tending to race prominently or in mid-division, the pace shape looks likely to be on the steady side early on. Several hold-up performers could be dropped in, meaning the race may not truly test stamina until the downhill run to the straight. The key question is whether the leaders can dictate matters or if the race will develop into a test of jumping and positioning as the field converges on the final fences.
The KTB Fit ranking
- 1Doyen Wolf KTB Selection59/100
- 2Shantou Show57/100
- 3Big Island53/100
- 4Thehairyfella53/100
- 5Jimli's Cave53/100
- 6The Rebel County53/100
- 7Malton Groove51/100
- 8Sampoet50/100
- 9Miss Lia50/100
- 10Ferdia47/100
- 11Toor Moon43/100
- 12U Asking Me40/100
- 13Rajjnatin40/100
- 14Fr Gilligansvoyge34/100
The contenders
Doyen Wolf KTB Fit 59/100
Doyen Wolf arrives with a KTB Fit of 59 and is the clear selection. The 10-year-old showed a bit of spark when third on his most recent start having been pulled up on his previous two outings. Trainer J R Finn has a 15% strike rate at Downpatrick with an A/E of 1.66 from 46 runs, while Shane O'Callaghan has a 9% strike rate here with an A/E of 0.93. The horse has no course form on record and only one run on good to yielding ground without placing, yet he is taken to put his best foot forward in a race that could suit his style.
Shantou Show KTB Fit 57/100
Shantou Show is rated just behind on a KTB Fit of 57. The 10-year-old has recent form of 6585P- and has shown ability on his day. Trainer Noel C Kelly and jockey Carl Millar combine with a 1-15 record and A/E of 1.27, while the trainer has a 7% strike rate at Downpatrick with an A/E of 0.8. The jockey has an 11% strike rate here with an A/E of 0.88. The horse has won on good to yielding ground from five runs and has won here once from two starts, making him an interesting contender if he can rediscover his best.
Big Island KTB Fit 53/100
Big Island carries a KTB Fit of 53 and has shown competitive form without winning of late, with figures of 4P0F-4. The 9-year-old has been placed once from five runs on good to yielding ground. Trainer W J Lanigan has a modest 4% strike rate at Downpatrick with an A/E of 0.33, but jockey Anna McGuinness has a 6% strike rate here with an A/E of 1.49. He has no course form on record yet remains capable of playing a part if the race falls his way.
Thehairyfella KTB Fit 53/100
Thehairyfella also sits on a KTB Fit of 53 and has recent form of 4P62-4. The 11-year-old has won here once from three starts. Trainer Gordon Elliott has a strong 19% strike rate at Downpatrick with an A/E of 0.9 from 908 runs, and jockey Kevin Sexton has an 11% strike rate here with an A/E of 0.98. The combination of 25-281 record between trainer and jockey with an A/E of 0.81 adds to his claims, though he has failed to win or place from three runs on good to yielding ground.
Jimli's Cave KTB Fit 53/100
Jimli's Cave completes the principals with a KTB Fit of 53. The 8-year-old has form of 66P0-5 and has won here once from ten starts. Trainer R K Watson has a modest 3% strike rate at Downpatrick with an A/E of 0.58, but jockey Calum Hogan boasts a 67% strike rate here from only three rides with an A/E of 5.87. The horse has won once and placed once from four runs on good to yielding ground, suggesting the surface should be suitable.
The rest of the field
The Rebel CountyKTB Fit 53/100
The Rebel County has a KTB Fit of 53 and recent form of 677-44. The 6-year-old has won once and placed once from four runs on good to yielding. Trainer G Ahern has a 0% strike rate at Downpatrick from one run with an A/E of 0, and jockey Alan O'Sullivan has a 0% strike rate here from six rides with an A/E of 0. He has no course form on record.
Malton GrooveKTB Fit 51/100
Malton Groove is rated 51 on KTB Fit with form of 58PP-7. The 9-year-old has been placed twice from five runs on good to yielding without winning. Trainer Dermot A McLoughlin and jockey Alix Balfe are 0-12 with an A/E of 0.00, though the trainer has an 8% strike rate at Downpatrick with an A/E of 1. The horse has no course form on record.
SampoetKTB Fit 50/100
Sampoet has a KTB Fit of 50 and recent form of 8F-458. The 9-year-old has three runs on good to yielding without winning or placing. Trainer D M Christie has an 8% strike rate at Downpatrick with an A/E of 0.8, and jockey Ricky Doyle has a 7% strike rate here with an A/E of 0.73. He has no course form on record.
Miss LiaKTB Fit 50/100
Miss Lia holds a KTB Fit of 50 with form of 22P2-0. The 6-year-old has won once and placed twice from four runs on good to yielding. Trainer P J Rothwell has a 7% strike rate at Downpatrick with an A/E of 0.74, while jockey Kevin Healy has a 0% strike rate here from one ride. She has finished second on her only previous run at the course.
FerdiaKTB Fit 47/100
Ferdia is rated 47 on KTB Fit with form of PPP9-6. The 10-year-old has been placed twice from eight runs on good to yielding. Trainer John Patrick Ryan and jockey Brian Barry are 1-22 with an A/E of 1.07, but the trainer has only a 4% strike rate at Downpatrick with an A/E of 0.43. The horse has no course form on record.
Toor MoonKTB Fit 43/100
Toor Moon carries a KTB Fit of 43 and has form of 837-00. The 9-year-old has been placed three times from 15 runs on good to yielding. Trainer Ms M Flynn has a 0% strike rate at Downpatrick from 15 runs with an A/E of 0. The horse has placed twice from three starts at the track without winning.
U Asking MeKTB Fit 40/100
U Asking Me has a KTB Fit of 40 with recent form of /3P3-7 and goes in first-time headgear. The 9-year-old has four runs on good to yielding without winning or placing. Trainer Eoin Doyle has an 11% strike rate at Downpatrick with an A/E of 0.87, but jockey Gavin Brouder has a 0% strike rate here from 40 rides with an A/E of 0. He has no course form on record.
RajjnatinKTB Fit 40/100
Rajjnatin is a non-runner. The 8-year-old had recent form of 8737-4 and a KTB Fit of 40. The trainer has an 11% strike rate at Downpatrick with an A/E of 0.77.
Fr GilligansvoygeKTB Fit 34/100
Fr Gilligansvoyge has the lowest KTB Fit on 34 and is a 13-year-old with form of P44-42. He has been placed once from seven runs on good to yielding. Trainer John G Carr has a 4% strike rate at Downpatrick with an A/E of 0.45, and jockey Sarah Kavanagh has a 0% strike rate here from eight rides. He has placed once from seven starts at the course.
KTB verdict
Doyen Wolf is the KTB Selection and sets a solid standard on his latest third-place finish. The combination of the trainer's healthy record at Downpatrick and the horse's ability to show his best when on song makes him the one to beat. His main dangers are likely to be Shantou Show, who knows this track well, and Thehairyfella, who brings strong trainer and course statistics into the equation. Big Island and Jimli's Cave cannot be ruled out either in what looks a competitive heat.
KTB Selection Doyen Wolf
Morning odds
Best available price per runner, captured 00:32 UTC, 13 Jun. These are a morning snapshot and will have moved — see the live racecard for current prices.
| Runner | Morning price | Bookmaker |
|---|---|---|
| Doyen Wolf | 7/2 | BetTom |
| Shantou Show | 11/1 | Bet365 |
| Big Island | 11/2 | Bet365 |
| Thehairyfella | 17/2 | Bet365 |
| Jimli's Cave | 14/1 | Bet365 |
| The Rebel County | 10/1 | Bet365 |
| Malton Groove | 28/1 | Bet365 |
| Sampoet | 12/1 | BetTom |
| Miss Lia | 17/2 | Bet365 |
| Ferdia | 14/1 | BetTom |
| Toor Moon | 16/1 | Bet365 |
| U Asking Me | 9/1 | BetTom |
| Fr Gilligansvoyge | 17/2 | BetTom |
This is the narrative read of the 4:55 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 trainer record at Downpatrick?
Gordon Elliott has a 19% strike rate at Downpatrick with an A/E of 0.9 from 908 runs.
Which runner has won both at this course and on good to yielding ground?
Shantou Show has won here once from two starts and has one win from five on good to yielding.
Who boasts the best jockey strike rate at the track among the principals?
Calum Hogan has a 67% strike rate at Downpatrick with an A/E of 5.87 from three rides.
Which horse is wearing first-time headgear?
U Asking Me is the only runner declared in first-time headgear.
Which horse has the most course experience at Downpatrick?
Fr Gilligansvoyge has run seven times here, while Jimli's Cave has ten starts at the track.
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