Down Royal served up a busy card on Tuesday on Good (Good to yielding in places) ground. The day produced a mix of short-priced and surprise winners — Premier View and Nellcote were eye-catching in the earlier contests, Leap Of Light and Daring Heart held on in tight finishes, while Pillar Of Hope provided the biggest shock of the day at 22/1.
Key events
Race highlights
Premier View made a decisive move inside the final furlong in the Molson Coors Nursery to open the winners’ list, showing a good turn of foot. Nellcote landed the fillies’ & mares handicap after a wide-racing move, and Leap Of Light dug deep to hold on in the auction fillies’ maiden. Daring Heart, sent off favourite in the Madri Excepcional Maiden, was comfortable once in front. Minaun View led from the front and ran on well in the mid-afternoon handicap, while No More Hiding and Connecteo both produced authoritative late moves to take the two divisions of the Pravha Handicap. The finale saw longshot Pillar Of Hope lead from 2f out and pull clear to land a notable 22/1 success.
Non-runners and withdrawals
Several runners were withdrawn or declared non-runners for a variety of reasons (coughing, vet’s advice, unsuitable ground, sold, temperature) and a small number of reserves were also involved in the declarations. Overall the card went ahead in the advertised order with no races abandoned.
Latest winners
| Time | Race | Winner | Odds | Trainer / Jockey | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13:24 | Molson Coors Beverage Company Nursery Handicap | Premier View | 100/30 | Henry De Bromhead / Conor Cusack | Prominent on inner, squeezed through and led narrowly over 1f out, ridden clear inside final furlong, kept on well |
| 13:59 | Coors Fillies & Mares Handicap | Nellcote | 7/2 | Joseph Patrick O’Brien / Declan McDonogh | Raced wide, good headway 3f out, ridden to lead approaching final furlong, kept on well |
| 14:34 | Irish EBF Auction Series Fillies Maiden | Leap Of Light | 6/1 | Mrs John Harrington / Keithen Kennedy | Raced wide, led narrowly approaching final furlong, ran on and held on gamely |
| 15:09 | Madri Excepcional Maiden | Daring Heart | 1/2 | G M Lyons / Gary Carroll | Prominent, ridden over 2f out, led narrowly over 1f out, comfortably |
| 15:44 | Molson Coors Beverage Company Handicap | Minaun View | 8/1 | Adrian McGuinness / Patrick McGettigan | Took keen hold, made all, pressed over 2f out, ridden 1f out, ran on well, comfortably |
| 16:19 | Pravha Handicap (Div I) | No More Hiding | 11/4 | A Oliver / W J Lee | Smooth headway to lead 2f out, ridden 1f out, ran on, won with ears pricked |
| 16:50 | Pravha Handicap (Div II) | Connecteo | 4/1 | A Oliver / Ben Coen | In rear, switched left and led over 1f out, went clear inside final furlong, readily |
| 17:25 | Molson Coors Beverage Handicap | Pillar Of Hope | 22/1 | P Sweeney / Patrick McGettigan | Prominent, led 2f out and soon ridden clear, kept on well, comfortably |
Notes
The meeting was contested on Good (Good to yielding in places) ground and produced a blend of expected and surprise results. Trainers and riders adapted to the slight give in places — an important factor for several of the closers late on. Keep an eye on the connections of Pillar Of Hope after that commanding performance at big odds; Minaun View and Premier View also enhanced their claims with confidence-boosting victories.
Down Royal Tips and Today’s Races
Every Down Royal meeting is covered by GG with full race form including racing colours, draw, trainer and jockey stats. GG also provides free tips with all UK and Ireland racecards plus the latest live odds. Our Tip is highlighted on the racecard and you can access the horse’s recent form and analysis by clicking the “Form & Verdict” tab. Our Racing Editor also picks a free daily NAP, Double, Treble, Lucky 15 and best outsider. We also publish the selections of the leading newspaper tipsters.
Down Royal Race Results
Down Royal is one of just two turf tracks in Northern Ireland along with Downpatrick. It plays host to the Northern Ireland Festival of Racing in November which features the Grade 1 Champion Chase. They also race on the flat here in the summer where the June meeting features the Ulster Derby and Ulster Oaks. There are popular evening meetings at Down Royal and a Boxing Day card.
The three-mile Champion Chase was first run in 1999 and was awarded Grade 1 status in 2002. Famous winners include Florida Pearl (1999), Looks Like Trouble (2000), Beef Or Salmon (2004, 2005) and Kauto Star (2008). The course also stages the Grade 2 WKD Hurdle and the Grade 2 Skymas Chase at the November meeting. The WKD Hurdle was promoted to Grade 2 status in 2010 and past winners include Mac’s Joy (2004) and Jezki (2013). The Skymas Hurdle is has been won by the likes of Moscow Flyer (2002) and Don Cossack (2014).
GG publish Down Royal race results within moments of the weigh in being confirmed. The winner, placed horses and SP returns are displayed as soon as possible on Today’s Results & Racecards page. You can also search previous results from the calendar tab beneath the page title.
Racecourse Guide
Established in 1789, this Grade 1 track has seen many champions pass through its gates and remains the “jewel of the North” in Irish racing. A right-handed, undulating course which could be described as “galloping” given it is just short of two miles in circumference, Down Royal presents a true test of a horse’s ability.
The chase course is on the outside of the hurdles track and is very fair with an uphill finish and a short run-in. Hurdles races have a slightly longer run-in and jockeys often take their horses wide here in search of better ground. There is a chute for five furlong sprint races on the flat but horses still race on the turn until the final furlong.
Dining, Hospitality & Facilities
The Shortcross Gin Suite is on the ground floor of the hospitality pavilion overlooking the racecourse. It has its own private balcony and a glass front for clear views across the track. The Pravha Suite is on the top floor and overlooks the parade ring while the exclusive Moscow Flyer Suite is on the first floor of the main grandstand. Corporate Box Hire can cater for up to 16 guests. All hospitality suites have their own private bar facilities and there are various eateries around the course to suit every budget.
Down Royal is near Lisburn in Northern Ireland, approximately 25 minutes by car or taxi from Belfast City centre. The nearest railway station is at Lisburn, 10 minutes from the racecourse.
Tickets
You can book your Down Royal tickets in advance online. There is a £5 discount for senior citizens on general admission. Please enquire for discounts if booking for large groups. You can also reserve your Trackside Marquee Racing Lounge ticket or two-course Premium Hospitality.
The Effect of the Draw
A low draw is an advantage at Down Royal in sprint races. The track favours front-runners and fast starters are very difficult to peg back.
Contact and Location
Down Royal Racecourse, Gravelhill Rd, Lisburn, County Antrim BT27 5RW. Northern Ireland.
Official Website: https://downroyal.com/