Sport

Red is clued in for Downpatrick

GORDON ELLIOTT, the leading trainer at the track, sends a strong team to Downpatrick this evening and is responsible for five of the 12 declared in the two-mile-two-furlong maiden hurdle. 

Ainslie, the mount of Bryan Cooper, would be the best of the quintet but is by no means outstanding with a rating over flights of 102. He won twice on the Flat, at Leicester and Hamilton, when trained by David Simcock and his best effort over hurdles was his recent 20-length second at Cork behind Making Shapes a fortnight ago. That winner’s trainer, Charles Byrnes, now saddles Reetaj, beaten a long way when fourth behind Noble Vision at Cork in March and still an eight-race maiden. 

I’d imagine the most likely winner has to be Brian Hamilton’s filly Twilight Shadow on the basis of her second here behind Tsunduko earlier in the month when caught late. There’s a caveat though. She was beaten 40 lengths by Whizzzey Rascal when they met in a Roscommon bumper last July.

John Monash looks the best of Elliott’s duo in the opening rated novice hurdle where little separates the top four, all coming out level at the adjusted ratings. Noel Meade’s Rise Of An Empire looked an improved performer when trotting up here from the re-opposing Faraway Mountain two weeks ago and may be capable of a follow-up. 

Elliott’s Authorized Cadeaux would make appeal in the two-mile-six-furlong handicap hurdle if Scenic Star, engaged last night at Clonmel, turns down this opportunity. I’m a sucker for lightly-weighted four-year-olds in these long distance handicap hurdles and Authorized Cadeaux fits the bill.

Last time out, course winner Tellthemnuttin makes the journey up from Wexford again but is 10lb higher now. The Elliott supporters will be hanging around for the last race and I reckon they’ll be buying money on the bumper hotpot The Storyteller, whatever the stories regarding Cognitive and Some Response suggest. 

The Storyteller was just foiled close home by Bertie Bell at the last meeting here and had Allduckornodinner nearly 25 lengths in arrears. Should be The Storyteller’s turn now.

The rest of the card comprises three bad chases, two handicaps and a hunters’ chase. Theatre Princess travels up from Kanturk and can make amends for her Tramore defeat in the hunter race. Beaten by a fair horse in Hurricane Ben, she can see off Shake It Up.

Ballyfinboy is consistent and can improve on his two recent seconds in the 0-109 chase. Hop In might be interesting and Personal Shopper can run well. Pointview Gale will struggle under top weight in the 0-102 handicap. 

Redclue won here a couple of weeks ago and is still rated 24lb below his mark over hurdles. He went up 15lb for that recent victory but should still confirm the form over the second and third that day, Camillas Wish and Town Pond.

NEVILLE RING


5.55pm: Rise Of An Empire


6.25pm: Scenic Star


6.55pm: Twilight Shadow


7.25pm: Ballyfinboy


7.55pm: Redclue (Nap)


8.25pm: Theatre Princess (Dbl)


8.55pm: The Storyteller

NEXT BEST


5.55pm: John Monash


6.25pm: Authorized Cadeaux


6.55pm: Ainslie


7.25pm: Hop In


7.55pm: Lash It On


8.25pm: Shake It Up


8.55pm: Cognitive