Friday 1st November 2024
12.25 Down Royal: Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden Hurdle: Our first selection from Down Royal on Friday comes in the opener at 12.25 which is a maiden hurdle over two miles and six and a half furlongs. This can go to The Yellow Clay for Gordon Elliott and Sam Ewing. He was a smart bumper horse with his season culminating with a second-place finish in the Grade 1 bumper at the Punchestown Festival back in May. He should have the class to develop into a useful hurdler and he’s the one to beat here. The Yellow Clay – 10/11 (NB)
1.00 Down Royal: Lough Construction Ltd. Handicap Hurdle: Next up it’s the 1.00 which is handicap hurdle action over a distance of three miles. I like Brandt here for Cian Collins and Jordan Gainford. He was two lengths ahead when unseating at the last over fences at Sligo last month and reverts to the smaller obstacles on a thirteen-pound lower mark. It would be disappointing should he not take advantage of said mark here and put in a bold showing. Brandt – 5/1 (Each-Way) (5 places – Paddy Power)
1.30 Down Royal: Irish Stallion Farms EBF Feathard Lady Mares Novice Hurdle: We move up in grade at 1.30 with a Grade 3 mares novice hurdle that’s ridden over two miles and a furlong. I’m siding with Speculatrix in this for Gordon Elliott and Sam Ewing. She’s another who looked in a commanding position before in her case falling at the last on her most recent start, and I think she can make amends here. She had useful form in bumpers, most notably when finishing sixth in the Grade 2 at Aintree and she should develop into a nice sort over obstacles. Speculatrix – 7/2 (Win)
2.05 Down Royal: Bottlegreen Hurdle: It’s more Grade 3 action at 2.05 with the Bottlegreen Hurdle that’s also contested over two miles and a furlong. I find it hard to get away from Brighterdaysahead here who’s another for the team of Gordon Elliott and Sam Ewing. She looked very impressive when winning against the boys in the Grade 1 at Aintree back in April, taking that particular affair by seven and a half lengths. Her main rival here in Daddy Long Legs will be far from a pushover given his recent wide-margin Grade 3 success, but it would be disappointing should she start her campaign with a defeat. Brighterdaysahead – 10/11 (Win) (NAP)
2.40 Down Royal: WTW Insurance Brokers Handicap Chase: My fifth and final selection comes in the 2.40 which is handicap chase action over two miles and half of a furlong. I’m with Calico here who’s another for the Gordon Elliott team and this time ridden by Carl Millar who takes off seven pounds. He was a twelve-length second of six last time out, however, comes down in grade here and has a considerable amount of hand on official ratings. He should be making his presence felt in a race of this nature. Calico – 9/2 (Win)
