Down Royal 27 December 2009
All Racecards within one PDF
Instructions
Please click on the “View Full Racecard & Odds” button to get the full racecard information.
FALCON ISLAND showed he is capable of winning at this level with a close-up third at Navan earlier this month. He won his bumper over this trip so has plenty of pace and is on the upgrade. Cass Bligh had plenty up his sleeve when winning a Thurles bumper last time and any give in the ground won't be a problem. He's a threat, while The Equaliser wasn't disgraced at Wexford latest and should be thereabouts.
Cass Bligh wasn't fully extended to win a bumper last time and looks to have strong claims of getting off the mark at the first attempt over hurdles. Falcon Island and The Equaliser look the most likely dangers.
COOL DUDE LUKE looks the one to beat after running an excellent second at Fairyhouse earlier this month. He was staying on well over 2m2f that day so this extra quarter-mile should be ideal. Gloonan Hill has been knocking on the door and shaped well on his seasonal debut at Fairyhouse 15 days ago. This trip suits and he should improve on that comeback run. Hughies Grey has been consistent at this level and may not have quite stayed 3m at Gowran latest. This distance will suit better and he's a major danger.
The Hard Hat shaped as if he would be up to winning a similar event when runner-up on debut and conditions should suit. Wiggers Cross and Hughies Grey look to have sound place claims.
POSH BIRD ran her best race for a long time when going down in a photo at Downpatrick latest. She goes off the same mark today and has every chance of going one better. Rookery Rebel went well in decent company at Aintree last month, finishing third over 2m4f. This drop in trip isn't a problem and he should go well again. Keep an eye on the market for clues about Ring Street Roller. He looked a real prospect over fences when last seen and is making his comeback after 18 months off the track. He could be well handicapped if fit and ready.
Not a competitive race considering the numbers involved and the pair to concentrate on look to be Rookery Rebel and Posh Bird, with marginal preference for the latter. Take A Shot is one of the few in the field with any potential for improvement and is put forward as the main danger.
MACS MANDALUS isn't the most consistent but he showed positive signs when a solid fifth over fences at Navan last time. He's suited by this trip and a repeat would put him right on the premises. Barcadero ran a good third over hurdles at Navan latest. That was over 2m7f but he has got decent form over this trip and should go close if repeating that effort over the bigger obstacles. Sigma Lifestyle is taking his time coming to terms with chasing but he was a useful hurdler and should come on for the run in decent company at Punchestown latest.
Far from a strong maiden chase and, though Barcardero doesn't set a high standard, he looks the most likely winner. Macs Mandalus is respected on his last run, and hurdles winner Scolboa Music Man is expected to fare significantly better than on his chasing debut.
ARTIC ISLAND has been knocking on the door at this level and was beaten just two lengths when second at Fairyhouse latest. She stayed the 2m5f trip on heavy ground there and will be hard to beat. Rakamasi didn't enjoy his trip to Musselburgh last month but had earlier won with plenty in hand at Thurles. He should relish this trip and is more than capable of bouncing back. Saddlers Storm was far from disgraced at Naas last time and he should be on the premises again.
Very little strength in depth to this and Saddlers Storm makes plenty of appeal given that he is lightly-raced and appears to be still improving. Rakamasi and Artic Island are at least consistent and look the most solid each-way selections.
AGUS A VIC has proved himself at this level several times and looks the one to beat despite having been off the track for eight months. He won this in 2007 and was in decent form before his lay-off. Kircassock Vic ran on well to score at Downpatrick last time and he stays this trip well. He has got some improving to do but has an each-way shout. Rudi Trucker has winning form under Rules and has been going well at point-to-point level. He'll be suited by conditions and cannot be ruled out.
Agus A Vic has been amongst the best hunter chasers in Ireland for a couple of seasons now, but the value could well be with Simonsberg, who looked a smart recruit to this sphere when scoring at Perth. Rudi Trucker remains open to improvement and should be up to running into a place.
LEAN TIMES has shown enough to take a race like this and Noel Meade has found him a good opportunity to get off the mark. He likes to get his toe in so any rain wouldn't be a problem. Dont Panic looked in need of the run on his comeback at Naas earlier this month and should improve. He won this on debut last year so rates the danger. Icky was far from disgraced on debut here last time and any improvement would put him on the premises again.
Lean Times makes plenty of appeal in what looks a pretty uncompetitive affair and the likely testing conditions will surely play to his strengths. Don't Panic is an interesting runner having been disqualifed after winning this last year and should go well if fitter for his return, whilst Got Options has done enough to suggest she is up to placing in this.
