11 runners will go to post for the Very Special Hunters Steeplechase at Downpatrick on Friday evening.
Mullaghmurphy Blue made his debut at Loughbrickland in November and having finished second on that occasion, the Beneficial gelding hasn't been out of the first three in his four starts since. Trained by Jim Dreaper, the six-year-old was an eight-length winner of his maiden at Stradbally and goes to Downpatrick off the back of a solid second place finish in a hunter chase over this course and distance recently. Jim Dreaper won the race in 2015 with El Grande.
Eddies Miracle is unbeaten in three starts since joining David Christie and the Beat Of Drums gelding is in line to make his hunter chase debut on Friday. A winner of his maiden for Edward Keating at Ballinaboola in February, the nine-year-old advertised his well-being with an eight-length victory at Necarne recently.
The experienced Can't Pay Won't Pay will line up for handler Mark Fahey. The two-time point winner ran out a good winner of a recent hunter chase at Downpatrick, having exited early in the Bishopcourt hunter chase at the Punchestown festival.
Graham McKeever who sent out Balnaslow to win the Champion hunter chase at the Punchestown festival will be represented by Chosen Dream. A winner of his maiden at Limavady in 2013, the well chosen gelding has won eight times since on the pointing circuit and was a winner of a hunter chase at Downpatrick in March of last year. He is to partnered by Derek O'Connor on Friday.
Clondaw Frisby has had three starts in a hunter chase and was a winner when last seen between the rails, winning by two-lengths at Downpatrick. The four-time point winner will have the assitance of Mark O'Hare on Friday.
Broadmeadow Bridge makes his hunter chase debut, along with recent Loughanmore winner Lisnagreggan.
Eight-year-old Isle Road gained a first career success at Taylorstown earlier this month and will make his hunter chase debut for handler Jason Cairns. The field is completed by recent Cork hunter chase placed and Curraheen winner Strideout Euro, the Liam Lennon-trained Howwouldsheno and Tayolrstown maiden winner Miss Blanche for Mark McNiff.
| (20:10) 112F Very Special Hunters S'chase - 2m 6f 30y [MAX 15] |
| No | Draw | Horse | Owner | Trainer | Rider | Wgt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cant Pay Wont Pay | G.Delahunt | Mark Fahey | Mr D. Delahunt (7) | 12,00 | |
| 2 | Chosen Dream | Mrs M.E.Hagan | Graham John McKeever | Mr D. O'Connor(T) | 12,00 | |
| 3 | Clondaw Frisby | Carnglave Racing Syndicate | J.G.Cosgrave | Mr M.J. O'Hare (5) | 12,00 | |
| 4 | Broadmeadow Bridge | Colm Kedney | T.G.McCourt | 11,07 | ||
| 5 | Eddies Miracle | R. Nicholas | D.M. Christie | Mr B. O'Neill | 11,07 | |
| 6 | Isle Road | F.McClean | Jason Cairns | Mr J.C. Barry (5) | 11,07 | |
| 7 | Lisnagreggan | William Gault | W J Bryson | Mr N. Gault (7) | 11,07 | |
| 8 | Mullaghmurphy Blue | T.White | J.T.R.Dreaper | Mr S. Clements (3) | 11,07 | |
| 9 | Strideout Euro | Mrs Noreen Lynam | Ms Michelle Duggan | Mr E.P. O'Brien (7)(C, T) | 11,07 | |
| 10 | Howwouldsheno | Liam Lennon | Liam Lennon | (B) | 11,00 | |
| 11 | Miss Blanche (GB) | A. Casey | Mark Michael McNiff | Mr R. Deegan (7)(H, T) | 11,00 |
