Henry sweet on Honey for Down Royal festival bid

THE WKD Hurdle features on the first session of the Down Royal Festival on Friday, with the Grade 2 event having been increased in value to £50,000.

One to watch is the Henry de Bromhead trained Honeysuckle, which started her career with Banbridge trainer Gerry Cosgrave—winningapointtopoint on her debut and sold to current connections for £110,000.

The mare has proved a resounding success and is unbeaten in her four efforts over hurdles, including at Grade 1 level on her final start last season at Fairyhouse.

The Noel Meade trained Brace Yourself, owned by the Belfast based Hunt family who have a very long association with the local course, hasn’t been seen since winning a maiden hurdle at last year’s festival and is highly regarded by the trainer.

Gordon Elliott has a pair entered — Coko Beach, a recent Punchestown winner, and Coeur Sublime, which made a winning debut over flights at last year’s meeting and finished runner up in the Grade 1 Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival earlier this year.

Trainer Joseph O’Brien has Triplicate, owned by JP McManus, engaged having competed at the top level last term.

The Beginners Chase has been used to introduce some notable horses in past renewals, especially by Noel Meade, who has a trio entered with Moyross and Trappist Monk, again owned by the Hunt family, joined by Disc Donk, owned by the Gigginstown Stud operation.

Ryanair owner Michael O’Leary’s racing team has a total of six entered, including Samcro, which will be a star attraction on his fencing debut.

Trainer Gordon Elliott has had this race as the horse’s target for some time, with Samcro having been unbeaten in six starts over hurdles, including at Grade 1 level at the 2018 Cheltenham Festival, before a disappointing season last year.

Elliott’s stable rider Keith Donoghue made no secret of his excitement at the prospect of seeing the young star over fences at the festival launch.

Donoghue also advised that Elliott liked to run some of his top youngsters in bumpers at the track and has entered five,