15:35 Down Royal

Saturday 23 June 2018

All13:5514:2515:0015:3516:1516:5517:30

Magners Ulster Derby (Premier Handicap)

Off time: 15:35 | Winning time: 2m 46.67s

(2)

Change Of Velocity^t¹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-12| J: K J Manning| T: J S Bolger| OR: 91

7/2

Comes in to the race on the back of a fine win at Gowran Park earlier this month and entitled to make the shortlist here given the excellent record of the yard at this meeting over the last four years.

Form: 45-361

(7)

Sheberghan³²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Declan McDonogh| T: D K Weld| OR: 84

5/2

Put a disappointing debut behind him when landing a Sligo maiden on yielding ground last month. A lively contender here.

Form: 71

(8)

Swiss Cottage^p1²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Gary Carroll| T: J G Murphy| OR: 84

16/1

First-time cheekpieces may assist here but it may be a difficult task following a couple of disappointing turnouts at Leopardstown and Navan recently. Not ruled out but a number of below par runs to shake off.

Form: 5350-45

(3)

Midnight Wilde³⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Killian Leonard⁽⁵⁾| T: J Ryan| OR: 80| BF

11/1

Interesting Newmarket raider beaten a short head at headquarters on seasonal debut last month before disappointing at the same track as beaten favourite. Worth a market check.

Form: 6625-27

(4)

City Ballerina¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: C O'Donoghue| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 78

5/1

Looks to be improving with every run and has impressed in three starts since May. Has the form to make a bold bid.

Form: 34-332

(1)

Remmy D^p¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: Shane Foley| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 77

10/3

Has improved of late, and deservedly shed maiden status in 1½m handicap at the Curragh on latest start, soon in command and eased late on. Needs to eek out a bit more here.

Form: 032721

(6)

Ashqar^t1¹²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-8| J: Rory Cleary| T: G T Lynch| OR: 73

20/1

Has generally disappointed in three career starts this season finishing down the field on each occasion. First-time tongue tie may assist but appears unlikely given the opposition.

Form: 7597

(5)

Well Why Not^p⁴⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-8| J: Chris Hayes| T: Adrian Mcallister| OR: 73

10/1

Comes here on a hat-trick of wins following success at Navan and Roscommon over 1m2f. Step up in trip a worry at this level.

Form: 00-9611

Forecasts

Sheberghan (5/2), Remmy D (10/3), Change Of Velocity (7/2), City Ballerina (5/1), Well Why Not (10/1), Midnight Wilde (11/1), Swiss Cottage (16/1), Ashqar (20/1)

CHANGE OF VELOCITY comes in to the race on the back of a fine win at Gowran Park earlier this month and can continue his development here at the expense of potential improver City Ballerina, the Joseph O'Brien-trained Remy D, a winner at the Curragh earlier this month and the Sea The Stars colt Sheberghan in a terrific renewal.