3.45 2m. 3f. 100yds. 7 Declared. BetVictor Beginners S'chase of €15,000.00 4-y-o plus
1st - €9,000.00 2nd - €3,000.00 3rd - €1,500.00 4th - €750.00 5th - €450.00 6th - €300.00
FormscanBy Shane Redmond - BALLYFAD (2) has done little wrong since winning a bumper at this two-day meeting last year and is the pick to extended his trainer's fine record in this race. He lost out narrowly in the Grade 1 Tattersalls Ireland Novice Hurdle at the Dublin Racing Festival at Leopardstown in February on just his second jumping start and is excused his Cheltenham Festival run as he was kicked at the start. He showed far more at Aintree in April and can now make a winning chasing debut. Willie Mullins runs just two horses at Down Royal this weekend and they both run in this race. Arcadian Emperor won his maiden hurdle at Clonmel in April but was a beaten odds-on favourite on his chasing bow at Gowran Park at the beginning of this month. He could be a bigger danger to Ballyfad than Largy Hill who shaped up well enough on his first start in since February 2024 at Listowel last month. The French import Matin Midi Et Soir didn't land much of a blow on his Irish debut at the Punchestown Festival but is likely to show more this time on his first start over fences.
A steeplechase for four years old and upwards that have not won a steeplechaseWeights - 4-y-o 11st 3lbs 5-y-o and up 11st 12lbs. Mares allowed 7lbs.