Down Royal Festival of Racing launch The Maze Festival - the biggest two days racing in the north - was officially launched today at a high-profile event in The Bridge Suite of Titanic Belfast. The award-winning venue will be the new sponsor of the Grade Two novice chase on 'Super Saturday' at the Lisburn course on November 5th. The panel comprised of broadcaster and former Grand National winning jockey Mick Fitzgerald, teenage riding sensation Jack Kennedy, who presently tops the jump jockeys table, Down Royal general manager Mike Todd and Irish Rugby International Rory Best. Television personality Pamela Ballantine interviewed each in turn. Fitzgerald said “It’s a great credit to the Maze that they attract the quality of horses for the festival event. All the top trainers in Ireland have supported the feature chase and again Paul Nicholls is sending over runners including top chaser Silviniaco Conti - it will ensure very competitive, high-profile racing over the two days.” Michael O’Leary’s Gigginstown House Stud dominates the big-race entries on Saturday November 5th with 10 of the 24 engaged including Don Poli, now trained by Gordon Elliott who claimed the £140,000 prize last season with subsequent Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Don Cossack. Kennedy said “I watch how all Gordon’s horses run while I’m sidelined (with a fractured leg). I should be back in four to six weeks and I see my consultant again next week. "I regret missing the Maze as it’s a great track and is lucky for me — I rode my first winner over hurdles there.” Elliott, via a video link, said he envisaged having 15/20 runners at the festival. Jockey Barry Geraghty was another looking forward to the meeting. He advised by video link that the JP McManus duo Jer's Girl and Ivanovic Gorbatov were possible runners. Enda Bolger has also confirmed Gilgamboa would be a runner in the feature chase for McManus if the going was on the easy side. Soft ground is also required for Fine Rightly trained at Larne by Stuart Crawford if he contests the Champion Chase. Best said: “I enjoy my days at the Maze when time permits. There are a lot of similarities between rugby and horse racing. It takes a team effort to get them ready and I have the utmost respect for the jump jockeys and how they handle the falls and fitness.” Templepatrick-based Joe Sloan attended the launch having sponsored the first day feature under his WKD brand since it’s inception. Sloan, a leading local owner who has had numerous top-class horses, said: “Down Royal is very important to us as a family - it’s our local track and an ideal venue to entertain guests.” Patrick Mullins, speaking on behalf of his father and champion trainer Willie, confirmed that unbeaten Airlie Beach would attempt to extend the sequence and give the owners, Supreme Horse Racing Club, another victory in the Grade Three Mares' Novice Hurdle. Jack Kennedy said Elliott’s top young hurdlers Missy Tata and recent addition Apple’s Jade were possibles for the mares contest. Mullins added that Ballycasey is a possible contender for honours in the JNWine.com chase. The feature, sponsored by Maze chairman Jim Nicholson, has an illustrious role of honour with former Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Kauto Star a dual winner likewise the locally owned Beef Or Salmon, while Paul Nicholls has won it four times. Todd advised that the current going is yielding and said: “We’re looking forward to the best ever festival event. A Morning Line programme will be held at the course and displayed on the big screen to encourage racegoers to attend early, while a trip to Cape Town is the prize for the best dressed lady.”
