The main race at Down Royal is the Grade 2 hurdles at 2.05. Monksland won a Grade 2 at Navan last season and was 3rd at Cheltenham behind Simonsig. He won a Down Royal bumper last season first time out so he presumably goes well fresh. He looks the sort to go chasing eventually but the stable are clearly hoping to win with him over timber first. Ideally he would probably prefer a longer trip and more give in the ground which deters me from going over board at odds of 6/4.
At Uttoxeter the 12.50 is of interest. Explained and Alpancho are contenders based on their bumper form but I just prefer Up to Something who is a tough sort with a taking attitude.
Eleven Fifty Nine and Call me a Star were first and second in the Aintree bumper at the Grand National meeting. Over this 2 mile trip Call me a Star may have too much pace for her rival in the 1.20.
At Wetherby Beeves and Mr Watson look the ones to concentrate on in the 1.00. My slight preference would be for Mr Watson.
Sametegal looks an interesting French recruit for Paul Nicholls in the 2.35.
Picture courtesy of the artist Katy Sodeau.
ahorse 