2.05 V IS FOR VINTAGE SHOW MAIDEN HURDLE 2M2F
Trainer Gordon Elliott has a strong team heading to Downpatrick and Lake Malawi should be good enough to get his day off to a good start. The five-year-old chased home stable companion Everyday Everyhour at Punchestown over 2m 4f earlier in the month, which was a step up from his hurdling debut at Limerick. Little Stampy and Atlantic Breaker were both placed at big prices recently but are likely to have to settle for minor honours again behind Lake Malawi.
Selection: LAKE MALAWI
Next best: Little Stampy
2.35 IRISH STALLION FARMS EBF MARES HANDICAP HURDLE 2M 2F 100YDS
Second at the course last month, Bell Of The Ball can go one better on this occasion. Having just her second start in handicap company over hurdles, Bell Of The Ball ran a creditable second to Mystic Princess and is expected to open her account over jumps this time. Despite the small field of just seven runners for this mares’ only contest, it is a competitive affair with the consistent Urtheoneiwant heading the weights and Enda Bolger’s Floral Fantasy coming out of maiden company for the first time. Both of those warrant respect. Josephine Marcus was well-backed at Ballinrobe for her latest start but was badly hampered two from home and unseated her rider when still in contention. However, the in-form Rachael Blackmore takes a valuable 5lbs off Bell Of The Ball and she is given the nod for local trainer Liam Lennon.
Selection: BELL OF THE BALL
Next best: Josephine Marcus
3.05 SUNDAY IN SUMMER HANDICAP HURDLE (80-102) 2M 6F
A chance is taken on Dangerous Games here. Dangerous Games failed to land a blow in his three outings in maiden hurdles in good company but enters handicap company here off a mark of 91. That is a mark that may well prove to be a bit on the generous side for this points graduate who was second to Petit Mouchoir at Kirkistown in February of last year. Tellthemnuttin returns to Downpatrick where she won on her penultimate start, and passed the post in front last time out here as well only to lose the race in the stewards’ room, so she’ll warrant respect. She is expected to frank her previous form with Overtures but just may meet one too good in Dangerous Games.
Selection: DANGEROUS GAMES
Next best: Overtures
3.35 CATCH ME IF YOU CAN BEGINNERS CHASE 2M 5F 110YDS
Fit from a recent outing over hurdles, Downpatrick bumper winner Boris De Blae can now open his account over fences at the track. Ridden by Johnny Burke to win a point for Tom Keating, the son of Mahler was a facile winner of a maiden hurdle at Listowel back in September. His only outing since then was in a Killarney handicap hurdle four weeks ago and this would look a very winnable opportunity with a clear round. On official ratings Aminabad would look the obvious danger but his best form has escaped him recently.
Selection: BORIS DE BLAE
Next best: Aminabad
4.10 J FOR JAGUAR HANDICAP CHASE 2M 5F 110YDS
El Grande looks a solid selection here. The nine-year-old has twice been successful in hunter chase company and off a handicap mark of 106 he looks capable of landing the spoils here. Blinkers are tried for the first time on Fever Pitch who is dropping down the ratings, while Drumhart will run off a mark just 2lbs higher than when he won here last month, but he has had a poor run at Punchestown in the meantime. Gordon Elliott’s Russian Regent failed to win off a much lower mark over hurdles last weekend and may just struggle to give weight away to his rivals in this race.
Selection: EL GRANDE
Next best: Drumhart
4.45 IT’S SUMMER TIME HANDICAP CHASE (0-109) 2M 2F 110YDS
Corrigs is trusted to make the long journey from Kilkenny up to Downpatrick feel a lot shorter for trainer Eoin Doyle and his connections. Third at Tramore last weekend, having his first run in eight months, he plugged away to the line and may be one who will just improve for that outing. Last Saturday’s race wasn’t all that straightforward for the eight-year-old and with the ground expected to be quicker again tomorrow that too is an advantage. Corrigs is selected over Le Grand Chene who has been placed twice since winning here in March, albeit beaten well on both occasions. Personal Shopper was agonisingly unlucky not to score here last month when just getting collared on the line and is likely to be there or thereabouts once more.
Selection: CORRIGS
Next best: Le Grand Chene
5.15 HAVING THE BEST TIME EVER (LADIES PRO/AM) FLAT RACE 2M1F 172YDS
Sweet Shirleen comes into this race with the standout form and should prove difficult to beat. Third on debut for Mags Mullins when finishing eight and a half lengths behind Gunner Mcgregor, the six-year-old had form horses around her on that occasion and should be able to deny Blue Empyrean from making it third time lucky. Blue Empyrean stepped forward from his first to his second run for Gordon Elliott and may well do so again so is a standout alternative.
Katie O’Farrell is booked to ride the Selection who should appreciate the ground. Ciaoifsin had a nice run over hurdles last week but may just struggle with the aforementioned pair.
Selection: SWEET SHIRLEEN
Next best: Blue Empyrean