Draycott begins over fences at Downpatrick Draycott Place's debut over fences in the Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Beginners Chase is arguably the highlight of Downpatrick's seven-race card on Friday. John Ryan's 126-rated hurdler has the benefit of a previous course success to his name and it looks significant that he starts off over the larger obstacles as a mere five-year-old. Anyone who witnessed the Oscar gelding sluice home in a point-to-point at Ballingarry last November is unlikely to be surprised that Ryan has now started his charge out on this path. Draycott Place attacked his fences with relish on that occasion and Andrew Lynch will doubtless be looking forward to a good spin aboard the well-regarded youngster. There may be only four runners in this event over two miles and seven furlongs, but in Definite Ruby, Draycott Place has a strong opponent. Gordon Elliott's mare already has four chase outings under her belt and these have merited an official mark of 116. She receives 4lb from the Draycott Place and she also has the assistance of Barry Geraghty in the plate. Elliott saddled a four-timer at this venue in July and the Cullentra handler is well represented on this programme with six runners. In one of the other chases, the fittingly-titled Honouring Oliver Handicap, Elliott's Carlanstown looks the one to focus in on. The late Oliver Brady's successor, Anthony McCann, sends out Duroob here, but Carlanstown, owned by Jeffrey Bowles, the father of Elliott's partner Annie, could be hard to beat. Paul Carberry teams up with the 10-year-old for the first time. The fact he bypassed Perth earlier in the week and he also has an engagement at Roscommon on Monday, are possibly hints that should be taken. Carberry will don the Cheltenham Festival-winning colours of Chicago Grey on The Unsub in the Horse First Supplements Maiden Hurdle. The Ayr bumper winner could be capable of getting off the mark at the first time of asking over timber.
