The petrol man is in the know !
It’s a seven race card from Downpatrick this afternoon with an early start time of 12.05. The trip from Dublin to Newry has been greatly improved by the addition of the excellent motorway network but on reaching Newry it starts to get a little bit tricky. Once you negotiate the Christmas traffic in Newry you face a perilous journey through Rathfriland ,Crossgar and onto Clough on a road that contains more twists and turns than the Derby course at Epsom.
Ruby Walsh travels for a couple of mounts only today and he will be disappointed (as will many punters) if he doesn’t collect in the opening maiden hurdle with Felix Yonger, running in the Wylie colours. The only danger looks to be the useful point horse Beef To The Heels who finished a useful fourth to another Wylie horse, Boston Bob on his latest start at Navan.
Ruby will fancy his chances with Tawaag in the conditions hurdle at 12.35 although official ratings suggest that Psycho might be the solution here for Tony Martin. Springfield Way is suggested as the alternative if you don’t get fancy getting involved in the front two at the prices.
The opportunity handicap hurdle at 1.05 looks tricky but the lightly weighted Undanta could go well at a price. He wasn’t that far off the pace in a Punchestown handicap on his latest start and this represents a drop in class. Red Memo makes the long journey up from Wexford and Leonard Whitmore’s lightly raced seven year old could be a player if the market speaks in his favour. Final mention for poor old Listz. He ran in a Derby trial in his three year olds days spent at Ballydoyle and now finds himself running off 92 in a Downpatrick handicap hurdle! What an insult!
Plenty of dark horses in the second of our handicap hurdles at 1.35, a race where Call Box brings strong claims to the table. Lady Sunshine runs in her first handicap today and is a respected runner from the John O’Shea team while bottom weight Thanks For Smoking has shown a smidgeon of ability on a few occasions and probably won’t get a better chance to open his account today.
The mare’s maiden hurdle is next up at 2.05 and it’s a race where a basic knowledge of the point to point form book will come in handy. For what it’s worth the fuel injection specialist (pump attendant) at Barney’s pit stop just shy of Newry, told me Mae’s Choice and Dangan Daylight are the ones to be with here. He gets a good card too, all the trainers stop for diesel on the way up to the races!
Onto the beginner’s chase at 2.40 a race where Lockdown’s chances look obvious. Bold Present could also put up a show while Colin Bowe’s mare Representing had a useful run at this track a few months ago and could run into a place today.
Racing concludes with the two mile five Hunter’s Chase. What a spectacle this is going to be with fifteen runners scheduled to face the starter. Watch for the local stables here, it’s a race they will all want to win. Crossgar based Colin McBratney must have a big chance with Send For Paddy one of the best open horses currently operating on the circuit. The Ballymena team of Ian Ferguson will fancy their chances with Casson, the mount of ‘The Doc’ ,while the four year old Moscow Ivan, in receipt of the allowances, could sneak into a place today.
Enjoy Downpedro’ today and remember to call us here at Star Spreads for the latest market positions from all of today’s meetings. You won’t be disappointed!
Donal
