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  1. irishracing.com
  2. Race Cards
  3. Fri, 10th Nov, 2023
  4. Down Royal
  5. 12.17
Going - Soft, Yielding to Soft in places. Dry
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Formscan By Gary Carson - Gordon Elliott has dominated this race in recent years and usually produces one of his better staying novices for it. BETTER DAYS AHEAD is the choice this time and he should prove hard to beat on his hurdling debit. The Milan gelding didn't make much impression in the Cheltenham bumper when last seen but looked smart when winning at Fairyhouse prior to that and is the type to do better now that he goes jumping. Stablemate Zefiro Dodville could be the main danger. He was turned over at a short price on his 'track' debut when fifth in a Fairyhouse bumper last month but the Portrush point-to-point winner should be capable of better now over obstacles. Thurles bumper winner The Busy Fool is another that has to be respected.

1
f113
Annaghbeg (IRE) 5,b g 11-12

Conduit (IRE)-Pawle(Jimble)

(27) (RKC Syndicate)

2
21-0
Better Days Ahead (IRE) 5,b g 11-12

Milan (GB)-Bonnie And Bright(Topanoora)

ts1(240) (Bective Stud)

3
4
Ebony Jade (IRE) 5,br g 11-12

Kalanisi (IRE)-Letitia's Gain(Zaffaran)

(43) (Mrs Alexandra Matthews)

4
fp7
Google Belfast (IRE) 5,b g 11-12

Conduit (IRE)-Roughandtumble(Winged Love)

(27) (R P Behan)

5
u753
Marronstown (IRE) 6,b g 11-12

Frozen Fire (GER)-Topanga Bay(Oscar)

(35) (Castlehume Syndicate)
Rated 109

6
f1
Nas Na Riogh (IRE) 5,b g 11-12

Walk In The Park (IRE)-Babygotback(Amilynx)

(230) (Charlie Doocey, Mark Doocey & Cathal Doocey)

7
82up
Paidin Beag (IRE) 6,b g 11-12

Barely A Moment (AUS)-Paddys Pride(Indian River)

hd1bl1(13) (Geoffrey Ruddock)

8
p755
Rust To Riches (IRE) 6,ch g 11-12

Shirocco (GER)-Blueanna(Blueprint)

ts9(19) (Michael Phillips & Pamela Ballantine)

9
06
Sekakarma (IRE) 6,b g 11-12

Hillstar (GB)-Larsen Bee(Frenchmans Bay)

(179) (Lion Partnership)

10
p
The Bay Horse (IRE) 7,b g 11-12

Mahler (GB)-The Bay Mare(Commanche Run)

(19) (John Patrick McCarthy, Miss Mary McCarthy & Miss Nora McCarthy)

11
1
The Busy Fool (IRE) 5,b g 11-12

Doyen (IRE)-Like A Miller(Luso)

(22) (Seamus Carthy & Tony Murray)

12
1-5
Zefiro Dodville (FR) 5,b g 11-12

Saint des Saints (FR)-Zawiyla(Azamour)

(39) bf (Vincent Kelly)

13
0
Jerk (FR) 4,ch g 11-11

Conillon (GER)-Uchaga(Califet)

(199) (Three D Partnership)

14
97
No Turn Unstoned (GB) 4,b g 11-11

Sea The Stars (IRE)-Step Lightly(Danehill Dancer)

(39) (Oghill House Stud Limited)

15
009f
Meoulflower (IRE) 4,b f 11-4

Fast Company (IRE)-Littlemissara(Bushranger)

(41) (John Eugene McGuinness)

First Time - Over Hurdles Google Belfast, Jerk, Zefiro Dodville, Better Days Ahead, Ebony Jade, Annaghbeg, Nas Na Riogh, Paidin Beag, The Busy Fool. Blinkers Paidin Beag. Hood Paidin Beag. Tonguestrap Better Days Ahead» Full list of First Time Gear

Probable SP 6/5 Better Days Ahead, 11/4 Nas Na Riogh, 5/1 The Busy Fool, 7/1 Zefiro Dodville, 16/1 Ebony Jade, Annaghbeg, 20/1 Marronstown, No Turn Unstoned, 25/1 Jerk, 33/1 The Bay Horse, 50/1 Sekakarma, 100/1 Google Belfast, Meoulflower, Paidin Beag, Rust To Riches.

Previous Years
2022 American Mike 5 11-12 J W Kennedy 1/6Fav (Gordon Elliott)
2021 Hollow Games 5 12-0 D N Russell 1/9Fav (Gordon Elliott)
2020 Farouk D'alene 5 12-0 J W Kennedy 2/9Fav (Gordon Elliott)
2019 Fury Road 5 11-12 K M Donoghue 8/11Fav (Gordon Elliott)
2018 First Approach 5 11-12 S W Flanagan 9/10Fav (Noel Meade)
2017 Poli Roi 5 11-12 D N Russell 1/4Fav (Gordon Elliott)
2016 Monbeg Notorious 5 11-12 R Walsh 8/11Fav (Gordon Elliott)
2015 Cogryhill 5 11-12 B J Cooper 2/7Fav (Gordon Elliott)
2014 Better Back Bob 8 10-13 G B Watters 5/1 (Neil McKnight)
2013 Doesheeverstop 5 11-4 Andrew J McNamara 20/1 (Michael Hourigan)
2012 Bonisland 4 11-8 D N Russell 13/8 (Gordon Elliott)
2011 Ipsos Du Berlais 5 11-12 D N Russell 4/5Fav (Noel Meade)
2010 Saville Row 5 11-4 R M Power 16/1 (Mrs John Harrington)
2009 Danderry 5 11-12 M Darcy 10/1 (Paul W Flynn)
2008 Grand Charisma 5 11-1 Mr C J Sweeney 8/1 (Rodger Sweeney)
2007 Uncle Junior 6 11-12 R Walsh 2/1Fav (W P Mullins)
2006 Casey Jones 5 11-12 P Carberry 4/1 (Noel Meade)
2005 Hear The Echo 4 11-7 C O'Dwyer 4/1 (David Wachman)
2004 Liberty Flag 5 11-12 B J Geraghty 7/1 (Patrick J Flynn)
2003 Well Presented 5 11-12 B J Geraghty 4/11Fav (Mrs John Harrington)
2002 Rose Perk 6 10-6 A J Donoghue 16/1 (E Sheehy)
2001 Brackney Boy 7 11-3 N P Mulholland 16/1 (I A Duncan)
2000 On The Mend 7 11-6 T P Rudd 10/1 (M J P O'Brien)
1999 Coq Hardi Diamond 5 11-6 P Carberry 9/4Fav (Noel Meade)

Symbols Explained

WS Wind Surgery ts2 Tongue Strap vs2 Visor hd2 Hood es2 Eye Shield ec2 Eye Cover cp2 Cheekpiece bl2 Blinkers tt2 Tongue Tie bo2 Blinkers one cowl e2 Ear Plugs p2 Pacifier pc2 Pacifier with cowls ps2 Pacifier one cowl sr2 Shadow Roll co2 Cheekpiece one side sb2 Sheepskin Browband cc2 Cornell Collar xb2 Crossed Nose Band cd2 Course and Distance Winner c2 Course Winner d2 Distance Winner bf Beaten Favourite on Last Run

The superscript number on headgear bl2 indicates number of times worn. A plus bl+ indicates more than 10 times where as red background bl1indicates first time.

Trainer/Jockey In Form last 21 days

Trainer/Jockey
Wins
Runs
%
J P Dempsey/K M Donoghue
3
5
60

Gordon Elliott/J W Kennedy
2
35
5

Gordon Elliott/Sam Ewing
1
7
14

For Trainer/Jockeys in this race

Trainers In Form last 21 days

Trainer
Wins
Runs
%
Gordon Elliott
36
436
8

Henry De Bromhead
7
56
12

J P Dempsey
4
10
40

S R B Crawford
1
15
6

William Durkan
1
2
50

P J Rothwell
1
56
1

For Trainers in this race

Jockeys In Form last 21 days

Jockey
Wins
Runs
%
K M Donoghue
5
43
11

Donagh Meyler
4
18
22

P Byrnes
2
13
15

J W Kennedy
2
40
5

Patrick Michael O'Brien
1
2
50

B W Harvey
1
6
16

Sam Ewing
1
14
7

For Jockeys in this race

NH Trainer Stats for Down Royal

Trainer
Wins
Runs
%
Gordon Elliott
193
885
22

Henry De Bromhead
44
200
22

S R B Crawford
29
444
7

P J Rothwell
25
332
8

D M Christie
11
155
7

R K Watson
6
186
3

J P Dempsey
5
52
10

C A McBratney
4
93
4

William Durkan
3
23
13

Neill McCluskey
1
55
2

P Cluskey
0
8
0

W M Roper
0
19
0

For Trainers in this race

NH Trainer Stats for Down Royal

Jockey
Wins
Runs
%
J W Kennedy
54
167
32

K M Donoghue
18
183
10

Rachael Blackmore
13
115
11

Donagh Meyler
12
126
10

J S McGarvey
10
114
9

Sam Ewing
9
73
12

A P Heskin
8
80
10

J C Gainford
5
46
11

Mr S Connor
4
48
8

P Byrnes
3
38
8

Patrick Michael O'Brien
2
30
7

J P O'Sullivan
2
29
7

B W Harvey
2
38
5

Jamie Hayes
0
2
0

Thomas Reilly
0
19
0

For Jockeys in this race

Course Form for Down Royal

Horse
Wins
Runs
Better Days Ahead (IRE)
0
1
Marronstown (IRE)
0
2
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