Timeform’s Down Royal Racing Tips
12:25 – Prairie Angel
13:00 – Romeo Coolio
13:35 – Dame Rapide
14:10 – Shajak
14:40 – Gerri Colombe
15:20 – Found A Fifty
15:50 – Classical Creek
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at the time of publishing but subject to change.
12:25 – Prairie Angel
PRAIRIE ANGEL has been successful on her last two Flat starts and surely has plenty more to offer back over hurdles, so she shades the vote.
The Joseph O’Brien-trained filly didn’t sport cheekpieces when winning on her hurdling bow at Ballinrobe in August but has worn them in three starts on the level since, taking her form up a notch on each occasion. A sister to Prairie Dancer, who won four times over hurdles, there could be lots more to come.
Stablemate Janes Harbour and Slurricane are interesting rivals, though the biggest challenge may come from French recruit Lakota Blue. He won a small-field maiden bumper at Corlay in June and represents a Gordon Elliott yard that has won six of the last nine renewals of this race.
13:00 – Romeo Coolio
Another race that Gordon Elliott has dominated, landing four of the last five renewals, and this year’s running revolves around Champion bumper runner-up ROMEO COOLIO, who may prefer a drop more rain but will surely be a cut above this opposition if taking to his new discipline.
Punchestown bumper fourth Presenting Max, who has his first start for Tony Martin, and fairly useful Flat performer Harry’s Legacy might be the pair to fight it out for the forecast spot.
The likes of Cutthewire (a half-brother to a point winner and fair 2½m hurdle winner Hercules Morse) may need a bit more time, distance, and handicaps before they’re seen to best effect, for all he shaped with promise first-time-up.
13:35 – Dame Rapide
Lots with chances, but the vote goes to bottom-weight DAME RAPIDE, who had a bit up her sleeve when going in at Fairyhouse last time. With the race likely to be run to suit, a 7 lb rise in the handicap might not be enough to stop her from winning again.
Wajaaha is weighted to go close and, for all he could face competition for the lead, is next on the list with recent Dundalk winner Walhaan, consistent five-year-old Lieber Nicc, and strong-traveller Dark Note all worthy of consideration, too.
Better is expected from Ninth Titan, now dropped in class, a comment that applies to classy novice Kala Conti and his new stablemate Harsh. Brucio is slowly being given a chance by the handicapper and, along with Timeform ‘Horse In Focus’ Enniskerry, is yet another to consider in a fascinating handicap.
14:10 – Shajak
Useful dual-purpose performer SHAJAK stepped up a bit on his chasing debut form despite being unsuited by the drop back in trip when second at Gowran, which suggests he has more to offer still now going up in distance.
Top-weight Hascoeur Clermont is a potential threat if able to back up his latest run, with stamina a strong point, while Charlie Luciano is another to consider as he steps up in trip with blinkers and a tongue-tie tried for the first time.
The unexposed Jasmin de Cotte could come on plenty for his recent run at Gowran and is respected accordingly, along with Perth third Bleu d’Enfer.
14:40 – Gerri Colombe
A good starting point for last year’s Cheltenham Gold Cup runner-up GERRI COLOMBE, who won two Grade 1s last year, including this race on his return.
Envoi Allen was beaten only a neck by the selection in this 12 months ago and rates the main threat again, for all he only managed two further starts that season (four lengths second to Protektorat in Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham before a well-held fourth to Jonbon in the Melling Chase at Aintree).
King George hero Hewick looked rusty when third at Punchestown last month but should strip fitter here and the ground is in his favour, much more so than the admirable Delta Work who was a fine second to I Am Maximus in the Grand National when last seen.
The longer trip will need to bring about serious improvement from Visionarian if he is to feature prominently in this company.
15:20 – Found A Fifty
Gordon Elliott and Noel Meade have done well in this race since Paul Nicholls stopped sending runners over, and it’s the first-named who can win it again with the exciting FOUND A FIFTY who signed off a highly productive novice season in this sphere with success in Grade 1 company at Aintree in April.
Despite conceding weight all round, he’s fancied to make a bold bid and win on his seasonal reappearance as he did at this meeting last year. Galway Plate winner Pinkerton, fit from a run on the flat, rates the chief threat ahead of Kerry National third Lucid Dreams.
15:50 – Classical Creek
Gordon Elliott – who won this race in 2020, 2021 and 2022 – introduces two exciting recruits from points, and it’s likely to develop between the pair, with CLASSICAL CREEK given the nod.
A half-brother to the bumper winner Mill House Creek, he’s fancied to edge out Koktail Brut, a €250,000 half-brother to Gevrey, in what should be a fascinating duel. Hunsaker, a half-brother to numerous winners, including the bumper winner Ever Present, also makes some appeal on paper.
Down Royal Racing Tips
12:25 – Prairie Angel
13:00 – Romeo Coolio
13:35 – Dame Rapide
14:10 – Shajak
14:40 – Gerri Colombe
15:20 – Found A Fifty
15:50 – Classical Creek
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at the time of publishing but subject to change.
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