** UPDATE: RACING AT DOWN ROYAL HAS BEEN ABANDONED DUE TO A FROZEN TRACK **
1.20pm – Decimation
A big field for the opening maiden hurdle at Down Royal where DECIMATION will hopefully get off the mark for the Gigginstown team. The Henry de Bromhead-trained runner has finished second behind some nice types in three starts over hurdles since October and has shown enough to score under Rachael Blackmore. The son of Milan was only beaten a neck behind Queens Brook at Fairyhouse and more recently second to Wide Receiver at Leopardstown over Christmas.
Willie Mullins has decided to apply the cheekpieces on Cavallino for the first time today following his third-place finish at Tramore, while Whowonthetoss and Irish Poseidon look the other principal contenders. Both should improve for opening runs over hurdles at Naas and Leopardstown and be in the mix for trainers Arthur Moore and Matthew Smith. Lariat could also challenge for a place, but Decimation with the tongue-tie used for the first-time has enough good form to score in the opener.
1.50pm – Alice O’Byrne
A slow jump when travelling well into the second last hurdle at Limerick didn’t help the chances of ALICE O’BYRNE when having to settle for second place behind Moonlight Glory last month. The Henry de Bromhead-trained mare is better off in the ratings today and can reverse the form with Eoin McCarthy’s runner in a contest where Paddy is paying four places. The former Taylorstown point-to-point winner is lightly raced over hurdles and looks a solid bet on her second start in handicap company.
Amor Verdadero drops down in trip for Gordon Elliott and comes here following her third-place finish to the improving Klassy Kay at Punchestown. The mount of Jack Kennedy runs off the same rating of 104 and should be in contention, having been placed eight times and won once in 13 career starts over hurdles. Elsewhere, Silk Worm, Trixie Mc and Boghlone Honey are others who might reach the frame with the extra place on offer.
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2.20pm – Battle Of Actium
The Molson Coors Rated Novice Hurdle looks a competitive race with the Joseph O’Brien-trained BATTLE OF ACTIUM catching my eye when winning here last month. The Gigginstown owned runner managed a course and distance victory over Fun Light, with his stable-mate boosting the form by winning a good-looking maiden hurdle at Fairyhouse earlier this month. He’s bound to race forward yet again with Jack Foley taking off a valuable 7lbs which will be enough to beat all these rivals.
On Eagles Wings steps up in trip for Timmy Hyde following a nice performance when winning a maiden hurdle at Naas earlier this month. The seven-year-old has previous good bumper form alongside Ferny Hollow and Sattler and is bound to be in the mix. Clondaw Secret returns after his third to Diol Ker at Limerick, with Global Equity and the frustrating Debuchet are back on track to fight for a place.
3.50pm – Envol Pierji
Several of these horses know each other well after plenty of previous battles and our Paddy has decided to offer four places in this 3m handicap chase. Askann will appreciate the step-up in trip following his eye-catching third behind Midnight Maestro at Leopardstown with Theatre World finishing second for Ross O’Sullivan. Kavanaghs Corner, Lean Araig and Wishmoor battled out the finish to a veterans race at Limerick over Christmas with Henry de Bromhead’s runner better off in the ratings today.
Light weight ENVOl PIERJI gets the verdict for me and should appreciate the extra distance to score for Mark Walsh and J.P McManus. The seven-year-old has a line of form with Kavanaghs Corner from a third-place finish at Fairyhouse in November. The son of Martaline seemed to enjoy the step up in trip that day and was staying on nicely, with the vet finding a small wound on his right-hind after the race. He’s been handed nice break to recover by trainer Liz Doyle and can return to score here at a nice price on his sixth start over fences.
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widget, while in-copy odds are accurate at time of publication but subject to change
Down Royal bet summary – Tuesday, January 26
1.20pm – Decimation
1.50pm – Alice O’Byrne
2.20pm – Battle Of Actium
3.50pm – Envol Pierji
** UPDATE: RACING AT DOWN ROYAL HAS BEEN ABANDONED DUE TO A FROZEN TRACK **
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