Down Royal Friday Preview - 30/10/20

The first race of the day at Down Royal is the Maiden Hurdle that has seen the rise of some superstars over the years and we believe we have found another with Farouk D'alene for Gordon Elliott.

In March 2019 the gelding won a five runner point to point at Belclare by 18 lengths and was bought by Gigginstown House Stud for €260,000 and given to Elliott.

In December at Down Royal the youngster made his debut in a decent bumper and was just a class above the rest winning the 2m1f event by 18 lengths.

In February he then went to Naas for another bumper and in a different style he won the race, getting back up when headed to win by a head and that determination is what makes us think he will handle this extra distance today.

The Grade Three Mares Novice Hurdle sees some bright young hurdlers head to post and Champion Bumper third Queen's Brook could turn out to be anything this term.

The Gordon Elliott trained mare showed her star potential last term in bumpers landing her first two races in fine style and when stepped up to the Champion Bumper was a very close third.

The five year old stepped up for her debut over timber at the start of October and she got off the mark at the first time of asking at Fairyhouse.

Although not winning by far, she will certainly come on for that run on Friday and her jumping was above average for a debut performance.

Abacadabras for Gordon Elliott started his life over hurdles last season in great style showing clear pace in the final stages of his races and he looks the pick of the bunch in the WKD Hurdle.

Having landed a decent contest at Gowran on his seasonal debut, he then went on to take a Grade Three at Navan showing clear progression.

Although finishing second on his next start it saw him give his best performance to date when a narrow second to the superstar Envoi Allen in a Grade One at Fairyhouse.

He then headed to the Dublin Racing Festival and he landed his first Grade One of his career in the future Champions Novice Hurdle.

It was all systems go for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham festival and he finished a narrow second to the smart Shishkin in a photo-finish, which looks incredible form.

Staying over hurdles this term he makes his debut in this Grade Two event and if running to form is the class at in the race.

The three mile handicap hurdle sees close to 20 runners go to post and Select Opportunity for the inform trainer Edward Cawley looks to have a serious chance.

The nine year old is fairly lightly raced for his age and has been tried over both hurdles and fences and looks to be a far better prospect over the smaller obstacles.

The gelding thrives in soft conditions and last time he raced over hurdles he got off the mark in fine style and although going up in the handicap, he has shown he handles the conditions and stays this trip.

Jockey Chris Timmons takes 3lb off which will help and having had a race to freshen up over fences he should be primed for another big run.

With Envoi Allen an outrageously short price on his chasing debut and the Handicap Chase looking like a minefield, our final selection comes in the small fielded bumper.

Gordon Elliott is set for a huge day at a track he does well at and in the flat race he fields his four year old Chemical Energy.

The son of Well Chosen has only been seen once before in his career and it came over two miles at Roscommon in September when getting off the mark in superb style, landing the bumper by 10 lengths.

He looks another superb recruit for the yard that have has some great horses in this sphere over the last two years.