DOWN ROYAL Sat: It may be the last day of Royal Ascot on Saturday, but we’re looking to the seven-race card at Down Royal this weekend, which features the Ulster Oaks and Ulster Derby, a Premier Handicap. The official going is currently good-to-yielding.
⭕ Up first is an auction maiden (2.00pm) over 1m2½f. Jessica Harrington sends an interesting debutant into the mix in the shape of Cosmic Lady, a daughter of Mastercraftsman who is out of a three-time winner over five and six furlongs. With the yard doing well with three-year-olds this season, this filly is one to watch in the betting. In terms of pedigree, though, it may pay to side with Willie McCreery’s first-timer, Night Glow, a full-sister to two black type performers over seven furlongs to a mile. The ground is probably softer than she would like, but a good debut performance should be on the cards.
⭕ The second race is a three-year-old handicap (2.35pm) over 1m2½f and has a field of 10. Despite a fairly poor set of starts as a two-year-old, Tony Martin’s Navy Beach looked to be beginning to mature when seen last time out at Limerick, finishing a creditable fifth of 10. Stepping up in trip this time, and near bottom-weight, the gelding should be able to improve on that and a decent draw of four will help his case.
⭕ Following is another handicap over 1m2½f (3.10pm). Having dropped three pounds in the handicap, James Henry could run well on his first start for trainer Leanne Breen, but Patrick Magee’s Arch Enemy looks to have the best winning claims. The Alhebayeb filly won over a mile last time out at Listowel and has 10-claiming jockey Sean Bird in the saddle. A good draw in stall three will only boost her chance.
⭕ The fourth race is the Ulster Oaks (3.45pm); a fillies’ and mares’ handicap over 1m2½f. Joseph O’Brien’s Grecian Slipper, a daughter of New Bay, steps back down in trip to her best distance here, having found 1m4f and above beyond her on her last four starts. With cheekpieces on for the first time, and her usual tongue strap, she should find this easier and could get back to winning form from stall four. The going ought to be to her liking and we should see her improve.
⭕ Race five is the feature race of the day; The Ulster Derby (4.25pm) over 1m5f, which is worth €59,000 to the winner. Emmet Mullins’ Malbay Madness, a winner over a mile as a two-year-old, went well fresh to finish second when returning this season at Navan two weeks ago. Now stepping up in trip from that last run, he could improve over this the extra distance. He gets his preferred ground here, and has a nice draw in stall three. Lower in the handicap than his best-looking competitors and with a five-pound claiming rider aboard, he could surprise the higher-rated horses on his second start for the Mullins yard. Michael Bell’s Ibrahimovic also looks a likely improver and he could hit the frame.
⭕ The penultimate race of the day is a handicap over 1m5f (5.05pm). If able to overcome a wide draw in 17, Shane Ryder’s No Hassle should once again run well, having finished second in both her last starts over 1m2f and 1m4f. Emmet Mullins’ All In Peder, though, is a better candidate for the win. Having won twice and placed once from four runs this year over comparable trips, he’s a versatile runner who has bounced back well from a poor three-year-old season. He’s improved 15 pounds since March having hit a patch of strong form and must be taken seriously.
⭕ The final race of the day is a maiden over 1m5f (5.40pm). Three of the 10 runners are racecourse debutants, the most interesting of which is Starspangledbanner filly Dubeyeracingcraic, who is a half sister to Group 1 Irish St Leger winner Sonnyboyliston. Another first-timer, Jukebox Jury filly Spring Wind, is a half-sister to Listed winner Tiz The Shot and two further winners, so also merits consideration.
