Racecards
15:45 Down Royal (IRE)
Magners Ulster Derby (Premier Handicap)
- 9 Runners
- Distance: 1m 4f 150y
- Going: Good (Good to Firm in places)
- Surface: Turf
- €100,000 added
- Winner: €59,000
- 2nd: €19,000
- 3rd: €9,000
- 4th: €4,000
- Form 17-7335
- Age 3
- Weight 9-12
- Official Rating 99
- Trainer A P O'Brien
- Jockey Anastasia O'Brien
soon led, pressed from 3f out, pushed along and headed over 2f out, ridden and no extra from over 1f out
Percy (IRE)
16- Form 4144-53
- Age 3
- Weight 9-12
- Official Rating 99
raced mainly in 5th, pushed along from 3f out, switched to outer and ridden over 2f out, no impression and kept on same pace inside final furlong, dropped to 5th close home
- Form 891-852
- Age 3
- Weight 9-3
- Official Rating 90
- Trainer J P O'Brien
- Jockey C R King
prominent and keen early before settling behind leaders, pushed along over 2f out and soon ridden, no impression and weakened inside final furlong
- Form 6-83111
- Age 3
- Weight 9-1
- Official Rating 88
- Trainer Mrs J Harrington
- Jockey C O'Donoghue
settled behind leaders in 4th, ridden from 3f out and went 2nd over 1f out, no impression and dropped to 3rd close home
- Form 227-564
- Age 3
- Weight 9-1
- Official Rating 88
- Trainer G M Lyons
- Jockey G F Carroll
raced mainly in 6th, pushed along and ridden from 3f out, kept on into 4th inside final furlong, no impression on principals
- Form 23-2222
- Age 3
- Weight 8-10
- Official Rating 83
- Trainer J S Bolger
- Jockey R P Whelan
raced in close 2nd on outer, pushed along and ridden over 3f out, led over 2f out and kept on well from over 1f out
- Form 251-7
- Age 3
- Weight 8-10
- Official Rating 83
raced mainly in 7th on outer, ridden over 3f out, soon no impression and eased
- Form 40-2211
- Age 3
- Weight 8-7
- Official Rating 80
raced towards rear in 8th, pushed along in 7th over 2f out, squeezed for room 1 1/2f out, soon switched to outer and ridden, kept on well into 2nd inside final furlong, not reaching winner
- Form 2267-52
- Age 3
- Weight 8-4
- Official Rating 77
- Trainer H Rogers
- Jockey K J Leonard
raced in rear, ridden from under 3f out and no impression from under 2f out
Verdict
This Listed handicap is the most valuable Flat race run on this track and it’s attracted a decent entry. Aidan O’Brien saddles Finn McCool, who has been campaigned at a higher level. But he didn’t find much off the bridle when only fifth last time in a Listed race at Leopardstown and eventually finished behind Percy. Fast ground seems to suit Druids Cross, who went close at Limerick last week. Tilly's Chilli has made giant strides and beat Ontheiflist by three lengths at Navan at the start of the month to complete her hat-trick while Wingingit is also on a roll. World War also has a squeak but Jim Bolger has won two of the last three renewals and it’s interesting that he was chosen this race to give a handicap debut to CLONGOWES (NAP). He boasts rock-solid maiden form over middle-distances and looks to have been let in lightly.
Formwatch
Finn McCool (IRE) 11-2 (9-3) Prominent, 2nd halfway, pushed along and led briefly 2f out, soon ridden and no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 7, 2 3/4l behind Grandee (9-3) at Leopardstown 1m 4f lst (1) Yielding - Soft in Jun.
Percy (IRE) 33-1 (9-3) Towards rear, pushed along entering straight, ridden and no impression in 5th over 1f out, soon switched right and kept on well closing stages, 3rd of 7, 2 1/4l behind Grandee (9-3) at Leopardstown 1m 4f lst (1) Yielding - Soft in Jun.
Druids Cross (IRE) 6-1 (9-2) Towards rear in 5th, pushed along and switched left into straight, 3rd from 2f out, challenged over 1f out, soon on terms and every chance, headed and kept on without matching winner close home, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Steel Prince (8-11) at Limerick 1m 3f gf in Jun.
Tilly's Chilli (IRE) 5-1 (8-7) Made all, pushed along to assert and 3 lengths clear under 2f out, kept on well inside final furlong, won at Navan 1m 2f hcp gd in Jun beating Ontheiflist (8-4) by 3l, 10 ran.
World War (IRE) 9-4 (9-0) Ed, took keen hold, went on over 4f out until headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 6, 6 1/4l behind Steel Prince (8-11) at Limerick 1m 3f gf in Jun.
Clongowes (IRE) 9-10fav (9-5) Soon led, ridden over 2f out, under pressure and headed 1 1/2f out, soon dropped to 3rd, improved to 2nd under 1f out, kept on, held, 2nd of 9, 1 3/4l behind Twin Star (9-5) at Navan 1m 2f mdn gf in May.
Mujaazy (IRE) 8-1 (9-1) Chased leader in 2nd, ridden and dropped to 5th 3f out, soon weakened, 7th of 8, 5 1/4l behind Constant Comment (8-11) at Curragh 1m hcp fll Yielding in May.
Wingingit (IRE) 5-2fav (9-10) Towards rear, pushed along under 4f out and headway, good progress from over 1 1/2f out, 2nd 1f out, led inside final furlong and stayed on best, eased near finish, won at Leopardstown 1m 4f hcp gf in May beating Grey Waters (8-11) by 1 3/4l, 10 ran.
Ontheiflist (IRE) 25-1 (8-4) Mid-division, some progress on inner 2f out, ridden to go 2nd 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 2nd of 10, 3l behind Tilly's Chilli (8-7) at Navan 1m 2f hcp gd in Jun.