Racecards
17:50 Down Royal (IRE)
www.thetote.com Mares Hurdle
- 8 Runners
- Distance: 2m
- Going: Good (Good to Firm in places)
- Surface: Turf
- €17,500 added
- Winner: €12,074
- 2nd: €2,801
- 3rd: €1,226
- 4th: €700
- Form 22365-5
- Age 6
- Weight 11-3
- Official Rating 123
- Trainer Peter Fahey
- Jockey J J Burke
chased leader in 2nd, improved to lead 2 out, pushed out run-in and kept on well, comfortably
- Form 5F2-21
- Age 5
- Weight 11-3
- Official Rating 111
settled in 4th, improved into 3rd 4 out, ridden in 2nd before last and wandered slightly, kept on same pace run-in, no impression on winner
- Form 1332-F1
- Age 5
- Weight 10-13
- Trainer D M O'Brien
- Jockey P Townend
raced mainly in 6th, closer in 5th after 3 out, ridden in 4th before last, no impression run-in and kept on same pace
- Form 1-51
- Age 5
- Weight 10-13
- Trainer G Elliott
- Jockey B J Cooper
settled in 3rd, not fluent 3rd, dropped to 4th 4 out, 6th and pushed along after 3 out, no impression from before last and kept on same pace
- Form 101-73
- Age 6
- Weight 10-9
led, not fluent 3 out, headed 2 out and soon ridden, dropped to 4th last and kept on same pace
- Form 09/1-90P
- Age 7
- Weight 10-9
- Trainer J G Cosgrave
- Jockey T P Treacy
raced mainly in 5th, pushed along after 2 out and soon no impression, eased before last
- Form 87-0
- Age 4
- Weight 10-2
- Trainer Mrs G Callaghan
- Jockey R C Colgan
towards rear, swished tail after 1st and 2nd, ridden after 2 out and soon no impression
- Form 7
- Age 4
- Weight 10-2
- Trainer D Kinsella
- Jockey I J McCarthy
towards rear and jumped right throughout, slow jump 1st, pushed along in rear after 3 out, ridden after next and soon no impression
Verdict
Favourites have a good record in this and QUEEN ALPHABET looks likely to head the market. She was conceding 17lb to The Nutcracker when fifth in a handicap at Ballinrobe last month and can take her revenge at level weights today. Collen Beag and Western Home are maiden hurdle winners needing to improve further to get to grips with the selection but Bengali went close in a novice event at Ffos Las recently and can figure on that form.
Formwatch
Queen Alphabet (IRE) 5-2fav (11-10) In rear, moderate 10th 2 out, ridden and progress on outer 2f out, moderate 5th at last, kept on same pace, 5th of 13, 5l behind The Nutcracker (10-7) at Ballinrobe 2m mrs hcp hdl gd in May.
The Nutcracker (IRE) 10-1 (10-7) Held up towards rear and pulled hard, clipped heels and stumbled after 2nd, headway from 3 out, went 4th next, ridden in 2nd before last, improved to lead after last, stayed on well, won at Ballinrobe 2m mrs hcp hdl gd in May beating Supreme Vic (9-5) by 1 1/4l, 13 ran.
Collen Beag (IRE) 7-2 (11-7) Chased leaders, led 4th and pressed, ridden and strongly pressed 2 out, length advantage last, kept on well run-in, won at Tramore 2m mdn hdl gd in May beating Miss Dinamic (10-13) by 1 3/4l, 15 ran.
Western Home (IRE) 4-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway before 4 out, chased leader before 2 out, led last, ridden run-in, held on near finish, won at Cartmel 2m 6f mdn hdl (5) gd in May beating Mrs Jordan (11-0) by nk, 9 ran.
Bengali (IRE) 15-8fav (10-5) Led from 2nd, headed before 3rd, led again before 3 out, ridden after last, headed towards finish, soon lost 2nd place, 3rd of 9, 1 3/4l behind In On The Act (10-12) at Ffos Las 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Fair Ethel (IRE) 50-1 (10-11) Held up, slight mistake 3rd, pecked badly 4th, soon 13th, dropped to last and detached 4 out, soon pushed along, pulled up 3 out, in a race won by Moonmeister (11-2) at Downpatrick 2m 2f mdn hdl gd, 15 ran.
Auntie Annie (IRE) 12-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders on inner, ridden in 7th 3f out, weakened, 13th of 16, 28l behind Red Pearl (10-8) at Ballinrobe 2m mrs nh flat gd in May.
Queen Matilda (IRE) 66-1 (11-0) Always towards rear, slight mistakes 1st and 2nd, ridden and no impression after 4 out, 7th of 9, 33l behind Can't Be Done (11-7) at Roscommon 2m 4yo mdn hdl gd.