Down Royal Racecourse: Preview and Tips for Monday’s Seven-Race Card
Down Royal Racecourse presents its latest Flat meeting on Monday afternoon, complete with seven races; five handicaps and two maiden contests.
Read on for a full preview of the Down Royal card, courtesy of Sporting Life.
First up is a two-year-olds’ five-furlong nursery handicap (2.04). Michael Mulvany’s The Love Machine makes some appeal on a new low mark, and is given a further useful three pounds by rider Wesley Joyce. Prairie Echoes should also be of interest, down one pound from last time at Navan and with Nicola Burns’ valuable seven pounds in hand.
A fillies’ handicap is next, run over a mile and five furlongs (2.39). Alba Chiara won the Ulster Cesarewitch last time out here and, while she has been heavily penalised by the handicapper as a result, she should factor in this. The Colin Keane-ridden No Niki No might have a chance if the first-time visor has the desired effect, while Joseph O’Brien’s Sissi has slipped down the weights after two beatings and is now at a workable-looking mark, so she might surprise but has an each-way chance at least.
Race three is a two-year-olds fillies’ maiden, run over seven furlongs (3.14). We have three newcomers here; Aquilla Star, Apiary and Kilmac Air. The former might go well, based on her pedigree, but the runners with previous experience look an able enough bunch to warrant looking beyond the debutants here. Idiocracy looks useful, and it’s interesting to see her back in maiden company, having run in a handicap in August, while Running Point is well qualified to win this also, after finishing second of 15 at Naas last time.
Another maiden over the same trip follows, this time for horses aged three and older (3.49). Miqdaar and The Corporate Guy are making their first racecourse appearances here, while the best previous form is brought to the table by Ger Lyons’ Diego El Queso, who has been only narrowly beaten on both of his last starts in maidens. He is the one to beat, although Perfect Base could be a danger in first-time cheekpieces.
The fifth race is a seven-furlong handicap (4.24). Sister Lily makes her handicap debut under seven-pound claimer Nicola Burns, and has work to do to make an impression, having offered little in maiden company so far. Hot To Foxtrot steps back up to this trip having run over five furlongs last time and might be worth considering, having stayed this trip previously and shown to have the speed to place over shorter. Shelbourne Flyer has leading claims after two recent placings, including over course and distance, and has the all-important high draw to take advantage of.
Our penultimate race is a handicap over a mile and three furlongs (4.55). Gerard Keane’s Thegooseiscooked should have a good chance here, after a good mid-field finish last time out at Dundalk and having come down a pound since. With Jack Kearney’s three pounds in hand, he should be able to perform here. Searcog won last time out at Punchestown but has been heavily penalised as a result, leaving others looking more likely.
Last of all is a handicap over a mile and five furlongs (5.25). Railwayview Lady makes her handicap debut here, after winning her last maiden start over 10 furlongs at Navan. Up in trip again, she could run a good race under Adam Caffrey. Gotta Catch’em All, though, is a consistent sort with a solid chance here, having placed on both of his last two starts, so could be the one to beat.
Down Royal selections – Monday:
2.04 – The Love Machine
2.39 – Sissi e/w
3.14 – Idiocracy
3.49 – Diego El Queso
4.24 – Shelbourne Flyer
4.55 – Thegooseiscooked
5.25 – Gotta Catch’em All
