Racecards
16:00 Down Royal (IRE)
Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Chase
- 7 Runners
- Distance: 2m
- Going: Heavy (Soft in places)
- Surface: Turf
- €14,500 added
- Winner: €8,918
- 2nd: €2,755
- 3rd: €1,306
- 4th: €579
- Form F8-2635
- Age 9
- Weight 11-8
- Official Rating 107
- Trainer S R B Crawford
- Jockey G N Fox
led and soon clear, reduced advantage halfway, 5 lengths lead 4 out, slight mistake 2 out and strongly pressed before last, ridden and headed run-in, no impression on winner close home
- Form 6547-75
- Age 10
- Weight 11-7
- Official Rating 106
- Trainer S Nolan
- Jockey S A Shortall
towards rear, closer and left 4th after 3 out, soon ridden and no impression next, no extra before last, kept on one pace to go moderate 3rd close home
- Form 5U4524
- Age 9
- Weight 11-1
- Official Rating 100
- Trainer R K Watson
- Jockey J W Kennedy
chased leader, 2nd halfway, closer 3 out, ridden to challenge before last, led run-in and asserted close home
- Form 1-56443
- Age 10
- Weight 11-0
- Official Rating 99
- Trainer R O'Sullivan
- Jockey L P Dempsey
towards rear, closer after 4 out, went 4th and fell next
- Form F6476-U
- Age 10
- Weight 10-13
- Official Rating 98
- Trainer D E Prendergast
- Jockey D Meyler
chased leader, 3rd halfway, closer 3 out, ridden and mistake 2 out, no impression in 3rd before last, no extra
- Form 265P0F
- Age 11
- Weight 10-5
- Official Rating 90
- Trainer P J Rothwell
- Jockey A Ring
chased leader, left 4th at 6th, no impression and left 5th 3 out, soon ridden and no extra, slight mistake next, kept on one pace
- Form 60086F
- Age 6
- Weight 10-5
- Official Rating 90
- Trainer Mrs D Foster
- Jockey J M Moore
chased leader, 4th and fell 6th
Verdict
Many of Ireland's leading young riders are involved here and Donagh Meyler's claim could just swing things the way of EASYONDEYE. He was on board when the ten-year-old made a bad mistake and unseated him when in the lead at Punchestown last month and with the form working out well this looks a good opportunity to gain compensation. King Blue eventually finished third in that race but looked held when the selection departed and though Finea's close fourth at Leopardstown was a decent run he hardly ever wins and has gone up in the weights. Dr Moloney still looks high enough in the weights and Caolaneoin has never won over fences in fourteen starts.
Formwatch
Dr Moloney (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, progress into 5th at 8th, closer in 4th 4 out, ridden before straight, no extra 3 out, 5th and weakened before 2 out, 5th of 8, dist behind Noble Endeavor (11-12) at Down Royal 2m 4f hvy in Dec.
Caolaneoin (IRE) 11-2 (10-11) Held up in rear, progress 5 out, 5th 3 out, soon ridden and no impression, 5th of 8, 8 1/2l behind Boher Call (10-9) at Naas 2m hcp hvy in Jan.
Finea (IRE) 12-1 (10-0) Chased leaders, slight mistake 2nd, 4th halfway, ridden before 2 out, kept on same pace from before last, 4th of 15, 2 1/2l behind The Mooch (10-10) at Leopardstown 2m 1f hcp sft in Jan.
King Blue (IRE) 5-1 (11-2) Towards rear early, progress on outer into mid-division at halfway, 5th 3 out, ridden and left 4th next, went moderate 3rd before last, kept on same pace, 3rd of 10, 11l behind Flemenstorm (10-12) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp hvy in Jan.
Easyondeye (IRE) 10-1 (11-1) Prominent, led from 3rd, joined and under pressure when fell 2 out, at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp hvy in Jan.
Mark Me Up 20-1 (10-7) Led, slight mistake 3rd, headed before 4 out, ridden in 4th 3 out, no extra entering straight, moderate 5th when fell last, at Thurles 2m 2f hcp hvy in Jan.
Simple Joys 100-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, 7th and fell 7th, at Gowran Park 2m 2f hvy in Jan.