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One key runner to note for each of Sunday's seven races at Downpatrick

Vinnie Is Busy: has a strong chance for the Charles Byrnes team in the opener
Vinnie Is Busy: has a strong chance for the Charles Byrnes team in the openerCredit: Patrick McCann

Vinnie Is Busy
1.40 Downpatrick

This Charles Byrnes-trained five-year-old did exactly as the market suggested he would when bolting up on his debut at Limerick in January and time may show his subsequent fourth to Farouk D'Alene at Naas was a very creditable effort last time.


Sunday's card at Downpatrick


With Kevin Brouder aiming to cut down Darragh O'Keeffe's lead in the conditional jockeys' championship it would not be a surprise to see Vinnie Is Busy hit the target on his first start over hurdles in Sunday's opener.

Wajaaha
2.10 Downpatrick

Once rated 85 on the Flat for Godolphin, Wajaaha made a mockery of his handicap mark of 106 over hurdles at Leopardstown last time and this looks a good opportunity for Charles Byrnes's hurdler to double his tally.

The Gigginstown-owned pair of Momus and The Very Man are feared, but Wajaaha looks in rude health and should prove tough to beat.

Wajaaha: a hugely impressive winner at Leopardstown earlier this month
Wajaaha: a hugely impressive winner at Leopardstown earlier this monthCredit: Patrick McCann

Bread And Butter
2.40 Downpatrick

Gavin Cromwell is a dab hand at eking out continuous improvement from his horses and it would be a surprise if his recent Gowran Park runner-up could not make his presence felt off a mark of 96.

Bread And Butter is picking up experience with each start and it is encouraging Jonathan Moore has sided with him over stablemate Severus Alexander.

Ifyoucatchmenow
3.10 Downpatrick

Willie Mullins' gutsy mare pulled out all the stops to land a thrilling Punchestown Grand National Trial last month so this stamina test of the Randox Ulster National should be right up her street.

Ifyoucatchmenow (blue): produced a brave display to win the BoyleSports Grand National Trial Handicap Chase last time
Ifyoucatchmenow (blue): produced a brave display to win the BoyleSports Grand National Trial Handicap Chase last timeCredit: Patrick McCann

That heavy-ground success was just her fourth start over fences so she must be open to any amount of improvement. Her 8lb rise takes her to a mark of 127, just 3lb higher than her hurdles rating.

Da Baba Elephant
3.40 Downpatrick

Cases can be made for plenty of these in a wide-open handicap chase but it could be worth giving another chance to Ronan McNally's veteran, who is entitled to come forward plenty from his recent Navan comeback.

His chase mark of 102 looks reasonable, Danny Mullins knows how to get the best out of him and the ground could be more suitable than the deep surface he encountered last time.

Complete Sizing
4.10 Downpatrick

It is difficult to evaluate the various strands of point-to-point form on offer but the fact that connections have managed to get a clear run with the talented Complete Sizing is encouraging and this could turn out to be a good opportunity for him.

Jamie Codd, who partnered Jim Dreaper's eight-year-old to victory on his first three starts between the flags, is obviously a positive booking and his recent second to Straidnahanna was a pleasing showing.

Ballyadam: expected to make amends for his Navan defeat
Ballyadam: expected to make amends for his Navan defeatCredit: Patrick McCann

Ballyadam
4.40 Downpatrick

Ballyadam was as short as 6-1 for the Champion Bumper before he had ever run under rules and that tells you how highly he is regarded by connections. He can make amends for his Navan defeat, when sent off a 1-4 favourite, five weeks ago.

The point-to-point winner, who was sold for £330,000 in November, is a confident pick to get off the mark in the finale.


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