18:50 Down Royal

Friday 22 June 2018

All17:4518:1518:5019:2019:5520:3021:00

www.thetote.com Hurdle

Off time: 18:50 | Winning time: 4m 51.7s

Chateau Conti¹⁷⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: J J Slevin| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 139| D

10/3

The win at Fairyhouse in November is starting to look like a one off following two dismal displays at Fairyhouse and Leopardstown in December. Very little to be positive about on seasonal return.

Form: 6PP/100-

Lieutenant Colonel^b,t⁵⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 139| D

7/1

Out of sorts and out of form since winning a Cork hurdle on soft to heavy ground in March but yard have a good record at this meeting and one to watch in the market.

Form: 221P4P-

The Game Changer^t⁵⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| OR: 139| D

5/2

Will have disappointed connections in a series of dismal efforts since returning to the track following a wind but the return to hurdles may be the fillip the nine-year-old needs.

Form: P44785-

Alton Bay¹⁸³

Age: 10| Weight: 11-6| J: K C Sexton| T: Peter Fahey| OR: 121

20/1

One win from six hurdle start with his sole success coming back in 2014. Now in veteran stages of his career he may find this a tough assignment.

Form: 1154/UP-

Flaxen Flare^b⁵⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: B J Geraghty| T: G Elliott| OR: 138| CD

3/1

Course winner that has also won over the trip but now finds himself 10lb lower than his last winning mark. Another of four in the race for the trainer.

Form: 320P03-

Lord Scoundrel^p,t⁵⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: D F O'Regan| T: G Elliott| OR: 128| D

7/1

Last win came back in 2016 and first time cheekpieces unlikely to bring about the required amount of improvement needed to play a role here.

Form: 8PPUP0-

My Wigwam Or Yours^b1¹⁰⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: Sean Flanagan| T: S F Magee| OR: 120

40/1

Formerly with the Nicky Henderson stable and not seen on track since finishing third in a four runner chase at Ludlow in April last year. Looks a tall order on return for new connections.

Form: P43/PPP-

As De Pique^t¹⁷

Age: 13| Weight: 11-2| J: J B Kane⁽⁵⁾| T: G P Cromwell| CD

20/1

Distance winner that won here in 2015. Generally well beaten in two starts this term and unlikely to trouble the judge here.

Form: F425-88

Forecasts

The Game Changer (5/2), Flaxen Flare (3/1), Chateau Conti (10/3), Lord Scoundrel (7/1), Lieutenant Colonel (7/1), Alton Bay (20/1), As De Pique (20/1), My Wigwam Or Yours (40/1)

Jockey Barry Geraghty won on FLAXEN FLARE back in 2014 and although the winner of four of his 20 hurdle starts has been out of sorts recently the course winner could well turn back the clock here with conditions to suit. Trainer Gordon Elliot could make it a clean sweep here with Lieutenant Colonel, The Game Changer and Lord Scoundrel all capable of hitting the frame.