Down Royal opens with a bang Late arrival is not advisable at Down Royal as the card starts with a cracker in the shape of the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase at 12.20. Art Of Payroll is the one to aim at here, with his 135 official rating, and Sandra Hughes also has the German-bred in the Paddy Power Handicap Chase at Leopardstown on Tuesday. Roger Loughran's mount has not won since March 2014, but the seven-year-old has in the interim been consistent in the main. The Shirocco gelding has been placed six times in eight outings over fences and that gives him the upper hand in terms of experience over his nine opponents. It is nearly a year to the day since Falcon Crest appeared in public, but the Grade Two-winning hurdler could take high rank if taking to this game. Christy Roche has booked Donagh Meyler for JP McManus' representative, who hasn't been seen since he finished fifth at the top level at the 2015 Leopardstown Christmas Festival. Others certainly capable of making an impression are Baby Bach, Burgas, Last Goodbye, Moonshine Lad and Velocity Boy. An hour later and there is another treat in store, with the Silks At downroyal Hunters Chase attracting some of the cream of the crop from the point-to-pointing fields. Foxrock has done much more than win between the flags, of course, as he is a Grade One-placed chaser. Still only an eight-year-old, Ted Walsh's sound stayer has not shone in a couple of outings this term but is a major player under Katie Walsh. His conqueror from a Borris House point 15 days back, Balnaslow, is in opposition again. Derek O'Connor rides this fellow for County Antrim-based Graham McKeever. Another local hope who will justifiably attract a lot of support is David Christie's Valmy Baie. He put up an extraordinary performance to win after being left at the start at Kirkistown last month. Ann and Alan Potts have two big contenders with Buckers Bridge (Mouse Morris and John Barry) and Grand Jesture (Jim Dreaper and Jamie Codd). Tamlough Boy, The Storyteller and Monbeg Chit Chat look likely to come to the fore in the INH Stallion Owners EBF Maiden Hurdle.
