12:40 Down Royal

Friday 3 November 2017

All12:4013:1513:5014:2515:0015:3516:10

Eventsec Maiden Hurdle

Off time: 12:41 | Winning time: 5m 47.70s

Asbury Boss^p¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: B J Cooper| T: T Cooper

33/1

Has not exactly set the hurdling world alight with two heavy career defeats including a 56L reversal at Punchestown last month. Others preferred.

Form: 40

Blue Empyrean⁸²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Keith Donoghue| T: G Elliott| OR: 108

10/1

Generally disappointing for powerful yard and is still without a win in six hurdle starts and unlikely to get off the mark here.

Form: 424-463

Castle Clyde²²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Danny Mullins| T: G Stewart

20/1

Modest point-to-point career has been followed by a win less four bumper campaign last term. Best watched on seasonal debut.

Form: 1/27637-

Miracle In Medinah⁵⁸⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Mark Walsh| T: G Elliott

6/1

Won a Fairyhouse bumper in March 2016 on his only racecourse appearance. Absence is a big worry and market probably best guide to chances.

Form: 1/

Poli Roi²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| BF

4/6

Odds-on beaten favourite last time out when finishing second of 15 behind The Rory Story. More expected today from powerful trainer/jockey combo.

Form: 113-2

Stowaway Forever²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: L P Dempsey| T: J P Dempsey

7/1

Finished fourth of 15 behind The Rory Story on hurdling debut at Galway recently. Expected to make progress and not dismissed.

Form: 1/9425-4

Bennaway

Age: 4| Weight: 11-8| J: R M Power| T: Mrs J Harrington

10/1

Stowaway gelding out of a Beneficial mare and plenty of stamina in pedigree. Market likely to reveal expectations and looks a long term prospect.

Form:

Central Court¹⁹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 11-8| J: M J Bolger| T: Mrs S Dawson

66/1

Failed to finish in two point-to-point starts in April 2017, while the dam did manage a win in that category. Looks vulnerable in this company.

Form: FP-

Dark Du Tabert Aa⁴⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 11-8| J: C D Maxwell| T: J G Carr

100/1

Beaten 264L in two career starts so far. One to avoid here and a struggle looks on the cards again.

Form: 07

Summons To Court^t⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: A Ring⁽³⁾| T: J A Kinsella

50/1

Well beaten on debut in a Wexford bumper recently. In good hands but looks a tall order on hurdling debut.

Form: F-P7

Val Di Comino²⁶⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: C M Leonard⁽⁷⁾| T: R K Watson

100/1

Pulled-up in a mistake-ridden performance on hurdling debut when with the Sophie Leech yard. Well out of her depth here.

Form: 9P-

Whispering Affair^p²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: A E Lynch| T: S R B Crawford| OR: 102

8/1

A six-race maiden but comes here with plenty of experience both here and across the water. Possibly interest for each way backers.

Form: 4-32572

Forecasts

Poli Roi (4/6), Miracle In Medinah (6/1), Stowaway Forever (7/1), Whispering Affair (8/1), Bennaway (10/1), Blue Empyrean (10/1), Castle Clyde (20/1), Asbury Boss (33/1), Summons To Court (50/1), Central Court (66/1), Val Di Comino (100/1), Dark Du Tabert Aa (100/1)

Asbury Boss could be the one to take the field along in the early stages here in a race that won't take a lot of winning. Stowaway Forever who will be up with the pace and the experienced Whispering Affair can hit the frame while preference is for the Gordon Elliott/Davy Russell charge, POLI ROI who is likely to be a warm order.