McGrady Financial Services Beginners Steeplechase

17:05 Downpatrick Fri 09 Oct 2026 2m3f100y Good 9 runners

Mr Fox’s call

Astley

SPECULATIVE Advised 4/1 Est. 30%

Mr Fox says

Astley (SR:109, 4/1) leads the ability rankings and has steamed in 13% since opening, the clearest market confidence signal in the field. Jack Kennedy (22% strike rate, 1232 career rides) is a significant booking uplift over most rivals' jockeys and is not associated with also-rans at this level. The GoingFit:- is the one concern, but the market is clearly absorbing that negative and still shortening; Paul Traynor's 8% yard strike rate is modest but the money is driving this, not the trainer. Down Around (SR:108) is the nearest SR rival but has drifted 15% and carries blinkers, suggesting Elliott's team are not confident — that drift is a meaningful counter-signal that tips the balance firmly to Astley. Each-way alternative: Oh Janey. Main danger: Oh Janey — Oh Janey (SR:99, 7/1) has steamed in 27% — the largest market move in the race — holds course form (W1P1 at Downpatrick), carries a 7lb weight advantage over Astley at 11-5, and J J Slevin (13% strike rate) is a quality booking that amplifies the market confidence signal.

Verify· #22446

Full result

Winner: Iamagetaway (IRE) at SP 3/1F. Mr Fox’s picks highlighted in gold.

1 Iamagetaway W R Crawford · Danny Mullins 4/1
2 Rockstown Girl A. McCann · James Smith(3) 11/1
3 Oh Janey Fox #2 Stuart Crawford · J J Slevin 4/1
4 Kalsman Liam Lennon · Kieren Buckley 16/1
5 Ring Of Kerry Fox #4 Cian Collins · Danny Gilligan 4/1
— Astley Fox #1 Paul Traynor · Jack Kennedy 4/1
— Down Around Fox #3 Gordon Elliott · Sam Ewing 15/2
— Parkgarve Ian Patrick Donoghue · P J O'Hanlon 25/1
— River Tara C A Murphy · Brian Hayes 15/2

Top 4 — how each finished

1 Astley 4/1
2 Oh Janey 7/1 🥉 3RD
3 Down Around 7/2
4 Ring Of Kerry 13/2 5TH