2:42 Downpatrick Tips

Coppola appeared to be coming with a winning run last time. Travelled strongly, just got a little outpaced at a crucial stage in the race and rallied late for a clear second. That was the seven-year-old's first outing for the Gordon Elliott yard. A step up to 2m6f should suit, judged on pedigree. Looks well handicapped on OR83 (carries 10-12 here) and has a big shout.

This veteran ran really well for a second-place finish at Clonmel last time out. He remains well handicapped and has T. P. Roche on board once more. His job now is to back up that good run. If on a going day, he has every chance of being placed in this field.

KALSMAN has proven to be very effective around here, this confirmed when winning over course and distance two runs back off a mark of 88, and although running off 94 today, his run when last seen proved he could be competitive. He was 4th of 14 in this very race on that occasion off 96, a solid piece of form made more impressive by the fact he had been away for 288 days. This clearly proves he can go well fresh, an important factor here given he's been off for 364 days before making his return today. At these weights, now down 2lb, I'm very much of the opinion he's the one to beat, assuming he's primed for this. Let's Go Man looks the obvious, unexposed, threat, seeming like the sort that could improve further having won over a slightly longer distance last time out. That said, the drop back in trip may not be ideal for him, whereas the selection is proven to enjoy the C+D here, so at a solid each way price, is the one to be with.

Toor Moon is still a maiden after 34 starts but has been placed in 10 starts, including seven times over hurdles, and looks interesting here off his lowest-ever handicap mark. He was runner-up in a handicap hurdle at Listowel in September last year before filling the same position in three starts over fences. He has struggled in his last two starts over hurdles but probably did not appreciate the heavy ground. Back on better ground and down 2 lbs, he looks like a good each-way bet with four places on offer.

Young And Foolish is a lightly raced 7yo gelding trained by P J Rothwell has only had four starts and shown nothing of note and is rated a lowly 74 - he's a first foal out of a mare Supreme Carolina (IRE) trained by Willie Mullins who picked up three wins and posted a career high RPR of 133 - P J Rothwell has run 5 horses in handicap hurdles in 2026 who had run just 3/4 times and we're completely unexposed - Hesgonethatway won at 12-1 and Chase The Moon won at 33-1 so Rothwell knows how to prep one for handicap company and this is borne out by the fact that P J Rothwell has had more handicap hurdle winners in Ireland with 54 more than any other trainer on Irish shores since 2024 - has to make it as a reserve but it highly likely he will make the cut.