1.10pm Down Royal Tips & Betting Preview 31/01/2017

Eight chasers go to post as the action at Down Royal kicks off on Tuesday, see our betting tips and the full race preview.

IN SUMMARY: Laid Back Luke has a big chance dropped back in trip after a good win at Fairyhouse but this can go to NO DICE. A lightly raced eight year old, he has been steadily improving over fences and looks to be coming to the boil with a win imminent. Davy Russell is booked which is an eye-catching jockey booking and he’s the one to beat today with likely much more to come from this Tony Martin recruit. Double Scores hasn’t been an easy horse to follow but if at his best he’d be dangerous to discount and can fill out the other placing.

1 LAID BACK LUKE – Saw it out much the strongest when winning at Fairyhouse two weeks ago (2m 4f, Soft) and the drop back to the two mile trip shouldn’t be a problem, though there would have to be a suspicion he’s better at the longer trip. Has a penalty to contend with but has scope for progress over fences and is likely to run a good race for Ms Sheila Lavery with Robbie Colgan on board and has to be respected as such with conditions to suit.

2 A GREAT VIEW – One of the best of these over hurdles rated 128 including a very close second behind Bellow Mome at Limerick in April (2m 4f, Heavy) and has been set some very tough tasks over fences thus far. Facing Min on his chasing debut when finishing 5th, he’s also faced Yorkhill and Bollyosisn since and this will be much easier than what he has faced thus far. Likely to run well in calmer waters with Mark Walsh on board and conditions to suit, so has to be respected.

3 DOLLAR AND A DREAM – Decent handicap hurdler at his best with a record of 2-16, his last list win coming in March when winning at Fairyhouse (2m, Yielding). Conditions are set to suit on chasing debut though a break of 165 days wont be ideal and is entitled to need this run for Tony Martin. As with all of Martin’s runners watching the market is a good indicator of what to expect but he’s most likely best watched on chasing debut with Patrick Corbett claiming 3lb.

4 DOUBLE SCORES – Point to Point winner who has been a very mixed bag under rules, with his only win to date coming at Limerick on his second hurdling at Limerick back in March (2m, Heavy). Thrice raced over fences thus far, finishing last on debut at Fairyhouse (2m, Soft) and was held in third when falling at Thurles in December (2m 2f, Soft). He was however ahead of A Great View at Fairyhouse two weeks ago (2m 1f, Soft), leaving that rival to find 12 lengths from that running. Conditions today should pose no problem and he’s likely to run well as he seems to be slowly coming to the boil over fences for Gordon Elliot so has to be respected.

5 KICK ON BOSS – Decent hurdler rated 129 which puts him towards the top of the list in terms of hurdling ratings but has been very inconsistent over fences, now 0-6 over these obstacles. His penultimate start when finishing tailed off at Navan was a very tame effort (2m 1f, Soft to Heavy) and he fared no better when falling at Naas at only the second fence. That was his second fall over fences which is a concern and he really needs to bounce back today if he’s to feature. It’s not inconceivable that he will bounce back but others can have more convincing claims made from them and he’s looking at place claims at best.

6 MANUKA – Inconsistent hurdler who was hasn’t been seen to best affect lately over hurdles, finishing a poor tenth at Limerick in October (2m 6f, Yielding) when last seen. Drop back in trip is an interesting move on his second start over fences, with his last run coming over a year when falling at Thurles when in a remote fifth (2m, Heavy). Hard to build a case for him on that evidence though if matching his hurdling form over fences he’d certainly have a good chance of placing with Donagh Meyler claiming 3lb.

7 NO DICE – Lightly raced for his age with only nine runs under his belt despite being an eight year old, and hasn’t been disgraced on his four runs over fences thus far, finishing a good third at Tramore on his latest start on New Year’s Day (2m, Soft to Heavy). Davy Russell takes the ride which makes him very interesting and has scope for further progress over fences, as his pedigree suggests he can do much better yet. Has to be respected and looks like Tony Martin’s main runner today.

8 OIGHEAR DUBH – 106 rated hurdler but going over fences has proved a pointless exercise thus far, finishing well beaten on all three of his runs for Tony Martin. Hard to make any sort of valid case for and he has a lot to find in terms of hurdling ratings with the others also. With all Tony Martin runners watching the market is advised but he’s best left alone today.