1.15pm Down Royal tips for Friday’s Grade 3 race. Graded action at Down Royal kicks off with this two mile Grade 3 contest, where many of the top National Hunt yards are represented. Read on for our free betting tips, predictions and analysis.
IN SUMMARY: The standard is set by Mystic Theatre who is unbeaten over hurdles for Willie Mullins, but preference is for the completely unexposed LESLEY DAWN. She races for hugely powerful connections and simply romped home to win a Punchestown maiden back in May, with the second and third both winning since. She has far more improvement in her on her seasonal return and should make up to be a smart prospect.
1 MYSTIC THEATRE – Unbeaten six year old for Willie Mullins over timber, winning her fourth race in succession with a comfortable success at Gowran Park in September. She’s clearly very useful and sets the form standard, so has to be respected.
2 CLASSIC THEATRE – Only two runs over timber thus far, winning on debut at Listowel before a disappointing effort in Grade 3 company on her latest start. Things don’t get much easier here and more is needed, so she can only be given a small each way claim.
3 CREATION – Runs for powerful connections but didn’t look anything out of the ordinary when scraping home in a weak maiden hurdle at Tipperary when last seen. The second in that race has been well beaten since and her claims are murky to say the least.
4 DIXIE LEE – Won on hurdling debut over course and distance back in September but she was well held on handicap debut on her latest start at Limerick. Pitched into even tougher company here and can only be watched.
5 JUST JANICE – One of the more experienced runners in the field, gaining her second hurdling victory when winning a Rated Hurdle at Galway in October. She won well that day and may have further improvement in her, so she shouldn’t be discounted.
6 LESLEY DAWN – Showed little on her rules debut in a bumper but she looked potentially useful when easily winning a maiden hurdle on her latest start. She is completely unexposed for top connections and has to be feared in receipt of weight from all of her rivals.