Down Royal Racecourse: Preview and Tips for Friday’s Seven-Race Card
National Hunt racing returns to Down Royal Racecourse on Friday evening, with seven-race card, consisting of six hurdle races and a mares’ bumper.
Read on for a full preview of and tips for the Down Royal card, courtesy of Betano, who provide all the latest horse racing odds.
We kick off with a three-year-olds’ hurdle over two and a quarter miles (4.50). Jr Mahon and Combs are both new recruits from the Flat, with Combs making the most appeal for Gordon Elliott.
William Durkan’s Hopes Are High won on stable and hurdle debut at Ballinrobe last time out, and should have few reasons not to repeat that form here.
National Voice could be worth a look too – this filly won her hurdle debut at Market Rasen by 22 lengths, but didn’t seem to appreciate the softer ground at Galway in July on the Flat. She might bounce back here, given five pounds by Aaron Anderson.
Next we have a mares’ maiden hurdle over the same trip (5.23). Fraher Field was last seen winning a mares’ bumper at Wexford, so she should be a player, while Astelia has been second on each of her three starts over hurdles, so should be due a win now.
The slight step up in trip from last time ought to help. Another making her debut over hurdles today is Crossbar Getaway, who ran a good race in a bumper last time behind the smart prospect Minella Supreme.
Race three is a handicap hurdle over the same trip (5.53). Noel Meade’s Desert Haven has placed on both starts over hurdles this term, so should be in with a chance again today, while Bannow Blaze should be at a workable mark too for Jonathan Fogarty. He could be our winner today, on the right side of the weights and looking to benefit from a slight step up in trip.
A four-year-olds’ maiden hurdle is next (6.23). Gordon Elliott’s Coutach is the only one of the eight runners who is already a winner under rules.
Shark Hanlon’s Sharing Is Caring has won a point-to-point, and has since placed in a maiden hurdle, so could be involved again. North Winterfell is not without a chance either, having gone well on hurdle debut at Listowel to finish sixth of 20, and might appreciate a little extra distance to travel.
The fifth race is a three-mile hurdle (6.53). Mark Fahey’s Happy Jacky and Charlie Byrnes’ Reverend Hubert both attempt to make it back-to-back wins, so will be worthy of plenty of attention.
Three Card Brag, though, is the class act of the race, and Gordon Elliott’s first string here. He ran a respectable race on reappearance at Galway, finishing eighth of 20, and a step forward could be expected from him here.
Another three-mile handicap hurdle follows (7.23). Sam Curling’s Fire Coral should have a fair chance of repeating his most recent winning form, back up in trip, while Zolpharine might be worth consideration too, after finishing second over this trip at Killarney last time.
John McConnell’s Technology looks the most likely winner, however; well proven over the trip, at a workable mark and given three pounds by his in-form rider.
Lastly, a mares’ bumper rounds off proceedings (7.53). The least exposed of the six runners is Clarnagh Maid, who made a good debut at Wexford in a mares’ bumper, beaten five and a half lengths. A step forward seems likely. Charlie Byrnes’ Run For Mahler has placed a close second in her last two mares’ bumpers, and should be able to improve again and win.
