Racecards
13:45 Down Royal (IRE)
Billecart-Salmon Handicap Hurdle (0-150) (Grade C)
- 13 Runners
- Distance: 2m
- Going: Good to Soft
- Surface: Turf
- €40,000 added
- Winner: €26,000
- 2nd: €7,600
- 3rd: €3,600
- 4th: €1,200
- Form 2232-98
- Age 8
- Weight 10-13
- Official Rating 134
- Trainer S R B Crawford
- Jockey Mr S Crawford
waited with early, progress to be close up from before 4th, on terms approaching 3 out, soon led, joined after 2 out, soon headed and no extra from before last
- Form U1630-
- Age 4
- Weight 10-6
- Official Rating 130
- Trainer E J O'Grady
- Jockey P F Mangan
not fluent jumping, towards rear, brought down 5th
- Form 1-F12P7
- Age 5
- Weight 10-6
- Official Rating 127
- Trainer A J Martin
- Jockey Mark Walsh
waited with, improved travelling well to track leaders from 2 out, struggling to get to winner when not fluent and kept on same pace from last
- Form 013-211
- Age 5
- Weight 10-2
- Official Rating 123
- Trainer M O'Hare
- Jockey Robbie Colgan
soon chased leaders, fell 5th
- Form 3132F7-
- Age 6
- Weight 9-12
- Official Rating 119
- Trainer M Palussiere
- Jockey B R Dalton
chased leaders, closed up travelling well approaching 3 out, 3rd after 2 out, soon no impression under pressure, kept on same pace
- Form 0332-14
- Age 6
- Weight 9-11
- Official Rating 118
- Trainer C A McBratney
- Jockey D J Casey
soon chased leaders, no extra and kept on same pace from 2 out
- Form 54407-0
- Age 4
- Weight 9-11
- Official Rating 121
- Trainer N Meade
- Jockey D J Condon
soon mid-division, closer order after 3 out, no impression in 6th from next, no impression in 5th and kept on from last
- Form 80-3020
- Age 5
- Weight 9-11
- Official Rating 118
- Trainer J W Nicholson
- Jockey M A Enright
tracked leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, no extra and kept on same pace from before next
- Form 2-62214
- Age 4
- Weight 9-10
- Official Rating 120
- Trainer P J Rothwell
- Jockey A Ring
led and disputed, struggling when mistake 3 out, soon no extra, pulled up before last
- Form P-74729
- Age 10
- Weight 9-10
- Official Rating 116
- Trainer Mrs S Dawson
- Jockey A P Thornton
waited with, closer order from before 3 out, 5th from next, no impression in 3rd and kept on same pace from before last
- Form 3134-05
- Age 6
- Weight 9-10
- Official Rating 115
- Trainer C A McBratney
- Jockey A P Crowe
soon mid-division, 9th early
- Form 51P-PF2
- Age 6
- Weight 9-10
- Official Rating 114
- Trainer G Elliott
- Jockey Miss J M Mangan
tracked leaders, challenged and on terms from 2 out, soon led, pressed and stayed on well from before last
- Form 8-10857
- Age 7
- Weight 9-10
- Official Rating 114
- Trainer C A McBratney
- Jockey B J Cooper
close up and disputed lead, no extra from before 2 out
- Form 50-9FF1
- Age 7
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 145
Previous results
In depth
Verdict
Pires looked to have a favourite's chance in a handicap over fences here yesterday and the fact that he's slightly better handicapped over hurdles may tempt Tony Martin into running him again. He'd have an obvious chance but GOLD ABILITY may have got in lightly for his handicap debut. A winning bumper, he was beaten three lengths by Zerashan on his hurdling debut at Downpatrick but completely reversed the form with that winner on a return visit and may have been underestimated by the assessor. Sportsmaster is a progressive youngster despite his defeat at Cheltenham on his final start last season. His earlier victory over the useful Hisaabaat is a better reflection of his ability and he should be winning again soon. Decade Player is another youngster who should go well as he led for most of the way until fading from the last behind the highly-regarded Waaheb at Fairyhouse last time.
Formwatch
Now This Is It (IRE) 20-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, headway 3 out, 6th and going well when blundered badly 2 out, not recover, 8th of 23, 27l behind Bondage (10-13) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-140 (3) gs in Oct.
Sportsmaster (IRE) 16-1 (11-8) Held up in touch, weakened after 4 out, mistake 3 out, 20th of 24, 50l behind Une Artiste (10-8) at Cheltenham 2m 4yo nov hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) gd in Mar.
Thomas Edison (IRE) 12-1 (11-3) Held up towards rear early, 8th halfway, ridden in 7th and no impression 2 out, kept on one pace, 7th of 10, 16l behind Lough Ferrib (10-12) at Listowel 2m hcp hdl hvy in Sep.
Gold Ability (IRE) 2-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, led 3 out, travelling well and went clear next, pushed out from last, comfortably, won at Downpatrick 2m 2f hdl gf in Aug beating Zerashan (11-12) by 4 1/2l, 7 ran.
Leah Claire (IRE) 7-1fav (9-12) Mid-division, ridden from 3 out, kept on same pace, 7th of 25, 22l behind Snap Tie (11-9) at Punchestown 2m hcp hdl gs in Apr.
Back To Balloo (IRE) 9-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden in 5th 2 out, no extra in moderate 4th before last, kept on one pace, 4th of 9, 23l behind Whatuthink (11-6) at Down Royal 2m hdl sft in Jun.
Blue Cannon (IRE) 11-2fav (10-12) Slowly into stride, towards rear for most, never a factor, 11th of 16, 49l behind Burrenbridge Lodge (11-5) at Listowel 2m 4yo hcp hdl hvy in Sep.
Knockcroghery (IRE) 16-1 (10-2) Prominent, 4th into straight, no extra and kept on same pace from before 2 out, 11th of 15, 21l behind Baily Green (10-9) at Killarney 2m 1f hcp hdl sft in Sep.
Decade Player (IRE) 13-2 (10-13) Took keen hold and soon led, ridden and strongly pressed entering straight, headed before last, no extra run-in, 4th of 7, 12l behind Waaheb (11-4) at Fairyhouse 2m hdl sft in Oct.
Slew Charm (FR) 20-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway into 8th before straight, ridden and weakened before 2 out, 9th of 15, 46l behind Coole Avenue (10-4) at Listowel 3m hcp hdl hvy in Sep.
Hidden Future (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, left 3rd 3 out, ridden and no extra 2 out, kept on one pace, 5th of 9, 27l behind Whatuthink (11-6) at Down Royal 2m hdl sft in Jun.
Beef To The Heels (IRE) 5-2 (11-5) Held up in touch, switched to race wide after 3rd, headway after 3 out, ridden after next, went 2nd last, soon every chance, no extra final 50 yards, 2nd of 8, 2 1/4l behind Pas Trop Tard (10-12) at Perth 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Sep.
Nodelay (IRE) 14-1 (11-11) In rear, some headway from 3 out, kept on one paced, 7th of 20, 21l behind Norther Bay (11-10) at Gowran Park 2m hcp hdl 8Evens16 gd in Sep.
Moon Dice (IRE) 2-1fav (11-5) Waited with, went 3rd travelling best before straight, gained narrow lead before 2 out, rider soon regained an iron, steadied and slow jump last, joined & maybe marginally headed run-in, regained lead near line, won at Cork 2m 4f nov chs sft in Oct beating Page Turner (10-12) by nk, 6 ran.
Redera (IRE) 11-2 (11-6) Held up, last halfway, headway into 4th before 3 out, ridden in 3rd and no impression before 2 out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 8, 18l behind Carlingford Lough (10-5) at Bellewstown 2m 4f hcp hdl sft in Jul.
Pires 5-2fav (10-0) Chased leaders, closer in 4th approaching straight, challenged in 2nd from 2 out, on terms last, led and stayed on well to assert run-in, won at Cork 2m hcp chs sft in Oct beating Echo Bob (11-0) by 7l, 12 ran.