FRIDAY TIPPING: Elliott holds another strong hand for Down Royal Gordon Elliott has dominated the big Down Royal two-day November fixture in recent years, and the Cullentra House trainer has 14 declared and one reserve for the opening session that begins at 1.00pm. With Dundalk taking place later in the day starting at 5.30pm punters have plenty of choices in Ireland this Friday. Elliott has three of the six runners declared for the bottlegreen Hurdle over 2m190yds at 2.35pm, a race he has won six times in the last seven years. The rider bookings would point us in the direction of Grade 1-winning Mange Tout under Jack Kennedy who has ridden four of the last five winners for his boss in this Listed contest. Successful in three of her four starts since coming from France where she won on her sole engagement, Mange Tout won on seasonal debut here 12 months ago before rounding off her campaign with victory in the Aintree Juvenile Hurdle last April. It was obviously a close call for Kennedy to get off El Cairos (Danny Gilligan) who was helped somewhat by the final flight fall of Ebony King when scoring under the champion at Gowran under four weeks ago. Generous Risk and Josh Williamson complete the Elliott trio. Dark Lieutenant was in the process of running a decent race at Down Royal last April until he unshipped Danny Mullins at the last flight. He made a pleasing comeback at Clonmel last week when staying on to finish second over a much shorter trip but this step up to 3m for the first time could be right up his street. Mullins, who put up 2lb overweight when exiting at the last staying on in second in a novice handicap last season, is reunited with the five-year-old. With his trainer Pat Fahy fresh from a recent double at Sligo he has a lot in his favour despite going up 2lb for his latest effort. In what looks an open handicap another that merits a second look is Mister Vic who hinted more to come on his first run back with trainer Barry Fizgerald at Downpatrick last time over an extended 2m5f. Having got outpaced away from the second last this extra couple of furlongs on drying ground should be in his favour and with Conor Clarke taking 7lb off his back is capable of running into the money. Flynn bidding for more Polytrack success Last Friday evening Waterford trainer Pat Flynn sent Surpass And Shine, carrying his wife Catherine’s colours, to Dundalk and having looked a likely no hoper beforehand was far from it when the market opened. Backed from 33’s down to an SP of 4/1 he duly obliged under Robyn Donaghue Leahy who gets the leg up on interesting stable companion Jordan Breeze who appeals in the sprint handicap at 6.00pm. This 4yo for the same connections was the subject of strong support for a 17-runner Curragh soft ground sprint on his last start two weeks ago but could manage only fifth place after starting favourite. Just over a year ago Jordan Breeze won a sprint handicap at Dundalk and last April ran with credit also over course and distance when runner-up off a 5lb higher mark than he’ll race off here. His last win came at Cork on soft ground off a mark of 60 in April but back on the Polytrack looks competitive off this lower rating from his low draw. Friday Staking Plan 1.30 Down Royal 1pt win Dark Lieutenant 1.30 Down Royal 0.5pt each-way Mister Vic 2.35 Down Royal 2pt win Mange Tout 6.00 Dundalk 1pt win Jordan Breeze
