CROMWELL BACK TO BREAD AND BUTTER
TIME TO GALLIVANT AROUND DOWN ROYAL
FROM the highs of Aintree, it’s back to bread and butter fare for Gavin Cromwell as DGALWAYGALLIVANTOR (3.05) bids to resume winning ways at Down Royal.
Having finally opened his account at Cork, he has had to settle for minor placings since when third to Silver King at Punchestown and chasing home Carlas Big Jim at Gowran Park.
The handicapper has taken note and he is now 11lbs higher than when scoring at Cork, but stepping up in trip yet again could be the key as he tackles two miles and six furlongs for the first time.
Stamina won’t be an issue for Pipers Boreen, who looks the main danger. Having won over three miles in Punchestown in early February, Shane Nolan’s runner was a good second to Lovely Reaction at Leopardstown, and she is clearly in the mix.
PALLAS ATHENE (1.55) has been a beaten favourite in her last three races, but the tide can turn for Gordon Elliott’s mare in the opener. A former Lisronagh point-to-point winner for Sam Curling, her best effort since came when fourth over this kind of trip to Annalecka at Punchestown, where she was beaten less than a length. A repeat of that should be good enough here.
Lady Bluebird may have been beaten a long way in the end when fifth to Bioluminescene at Punchestown, but she was prominent for a long way in what was her first spin over hurdles and the winner is different gravy to anything she faces today.
Elliott has a great record at Down Royal and DUFFLE COAT (4.15) looks another likely sort for the popular Meath trainer in the beginners chase. A promising hurdler a few years ago – he won his first four over the minor obstacles – his form declined quite a bit from those early dizzy heights, but he has really taken to fences this year.
He gave 2/9 hotpot Senior Chief a real scare when a very close second at Punchestown in mid-February and then filled the runners-up spot behind the promising Willie Mullins’ runner Aime Desjy at Gowran Park.
This looks easier, though the progressive Cromwell runner Now Is The Hour will make it interesting, with Extrapolation another worth noting.