Racecards
12:40 Down Royal (IRE)
Eventsec Maiden Hurdle
- 6 Runners
- Distance: 2m 6f
- Going: Good (Good to Yielding in places)
- Surface: Turf
- €15,000 added
- Winner: €9,240
- 2nd: €2,865
- 3rd: €1,365
- 4th: €615
- Form F/31-
- Age 5
- Weight 11-12
- Trainer G Elliott
- Jockey J W Kennedy
disputed lead early, headed before 2nd, raced in 2nd and not fluent at times, pushed along from 3 out and ridden before next, no impression and kept on same pace from before last
- Form 1/239-12
- Age 5
- Weight 11-12
- Trainer N Meade
- Jockey S W Flanagan
disputed lead early, led before 2nd, not fluent 5th, travelled best from 3 out and went clear before last, kept on well run-in, easily
- Form PF-
- Age 6
- Weight 11-12
- Trainer D P Dunne
- Jockey R C Colgan
raced in 3rd under keen hold, not fluent 4 out and soon pushed along, no impression from next and dropped to 5th from 2 out
- Form 00
- Age 5
- Weight 11-12
- Trainer P W Flynn
- Jockey P E Corbett
raced in 4th early, mistake 3rd and soon dropped towards rear, not fluent in 5th 4 out and soon ridden, no impression from next and went moderate 4th from 2 out where not fluent
- Form P-P
- Age 4
- Weight 11-8
- Trainer S R B Crawford
- Jockey A E Lynch
raced in 5th early, badly hampered 3rd, soon went 4th, not fluent 5 out, no impression from 3 out and soon went moderate 3rd, kept on same pace from before last where not fluent
Verdict
Gordon Elliott has won the last three of these and DIAMOND TURF will be fancied to keep up the sequence after a demolition job in a Navan bumper in January. That was on heavy going and he's yet to face good ground but there's no reason why he shouldn't act in the conditions. First Approach is an obvious threat after his two very good runs last month, beating Doctor Duffy a neck at Tipperary then second to that one on 11lb worse terms at Cork. These two should have the race between them as none of the remainder have shown any worthwhile form.
Formwatch
Arizengo 100-1 (11-12) Always towards rear and in rear from halfway, ridden before 3 out and soon no impression, 7th of 11, dist behind A Place Apart (11-8) at Downpatrick 2m 3f mdn Good - Yielding in Oct.
Diamond Turf (FR) 10-3 (11-12) Tracked leaders, soon 3rd and a little keen, 2nd approaching straight, soon on terms, led from 2f out, asserted final furlong, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Navan 2m hvy in Jan beating Bennaway (11-12) by 9l, 4 ran.
First Approach (IRE) 11-8 (12-0) Raced in 5th, 4th after halfway, closer order 6f out, progress to chase leader straight, on terms 2f out, headed over 1f out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 6, 2 1/2l behind Doctor Duffy (11-7) at Cork 2m 3f gd in Oct.
Hill Of Keash (IRE) 5-2 (12-2) Mid-div, 3rd 1/2way, prog disp 4out & ld 2out, ev ch & slight adv when fell last, at Largy 3m mdn Yielding in Apr.
Lisclogher Flyer (IRE) 100-1 (11-4) Always towards rear, never a factor, 16th of 17, dist behind Lord In Red (11-4) at Roscommon 2m 4f mdn gd in Oct.
Largy Beach (IRE) 8-1 (11-11) Alw twrds rr, 14th 5out, wknd 3out & pu bef last, at Loughanmore 3m mdn gs in May.