Down Royal Racecourse: Preview and Tips for Friday’s Seven-Race Card
Flat racing returns to Down Royal Racecourse on Friday evening, with a seven-race card, featuring a combination of handicap and maiden races.
Read on for a preview of and tips from Down Royal’s card, courtesy of BoyleSports, who provide all the latestxa0Galway Festival odds.xa0
The evening’s racing kicks off with a two-year-olds’ maiden over five furlongs (5.10). Just two of the 11 runners haven’t been seen before; Cocotinha and Baahyeh, who both have similar profiles. The best form in the race is offered by Ger Lyons’ Howd’yadoit and Stephen Thorne’s Jack The Bachelor, both of whom placed second on their latest outings.
They have been in opposition before, back in June over course and distance, in a race which saw Howd’yadoit finish ahead, but Jack The Bachelor was so improved next time out at Tipperary it’s a close call between the two of them, but Howd’yadoit just might have the better turn of foot.
Staying over five furlongs, race two is a handicap (5.42). Jordan Breeze makes his handicap debut here, while all the other 11 runners are now seasoned handicappers. Course and distance winner Spirit Of Eagles ran a good race last time out at Limerick over a slightly longer trip, and could go well here having come down a pound since last time.
Realtin Fantasy also looks competitive having been only just beaten at Tipperary last time under the same claiming rider, who gives him three more pounds today.
Back with the two-year-olds, race three is a seven-furlong maiden (6.17). Each of the 14 runners has previously raced, but there is little on show in terms of rock solid form. Donnacha O’Brien’s filly Kensington Lane might be one of the best.
he made up a lot of ground late on when last seen at the Curragh and could use her good attitude to win today. Femme Beauty is also of interest in first time cheekpieces for Ken Condon, whose stable is in good form.
The fourth race is a mile and quarter handicap (6.52). Joseph O’Brien’s Angelo Pio seeks a course and distance hat-trick, having won races here in May and June, and looks more than capable of going well again.
Fervent similarly could make this his third win on the bounce, and is better off in the weights on this occasion. Topweight Nocturnal might be able to pick up a place, but Keilah looks the best option back on the better ground she prefers.
Next is an apprentice handicap run over a mile and five furlongs (7.27). With a relatively small field of eight runners, this still looks quite an open race with a number of solid chances. Maxwell Smart has had three near misses lately, so connections will be hopeful he can go one better today.
Lady Kai was only beaten three quarters of a length when last seen at Gowran Park and, down a pound in the handicap in addition to being given two pounds by Nicola Burns, she looks a good option.
The penultimate race is a fillies’ handicap over a mile and five furlongs (8.00). This is another race with plenty of depth, with six of the nine runners having already won a race this term, four of them having done so when last seen.
No Niki No won well last time, but is now back up to a mark she has struggled to win from in recent seasons. Heather has been incredibly consistent so far, winning and placing twice respectively from four starts, but her new mark is unknown territory.
The in-form Jessica Harrington’s first string La Vita Nova looks to have a solid chance and should have all the conditions she needs to go well here.
Finally, the evening’s racing concludes with another handicap over a mile and five furlongs (8.30). Henry De Bromhead’s Trubshaw should have a very good chance here, having been only narrowly beaten at Bellewstown earlier in the month and given a very handy 10 pounds by rider Gabriella Hill.
Ranting And Raven also looks primed for a big race here, slightly up in trip from last time out after a good run for third of 14 last time at Dundalk.
Down Royal selections – Friday:
5.10 – Howd’yadoit
5.42 – Realtin Fantasy
6.17 – Kensington Lane
6.52 – Keilah
7.27 – Lady Kai
8.00 – La Vita Nova
8.30 – Trubshaw.
