We send out 8 runners to Down Royal today.

In the opener, the mares maiden hurdle, we are represented by COOL NATIVE. She unseated her rider fairly early on in Fairyhouse last weekend so we are hoping for a much better round of jumping from her here today. She’s certainly one for the shortlist and is the mount of Jack Kennedy.

DAIRY FORCE is the highest rated in the field in the Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Hurdle and therefore has the tough ask of carrying top weight, giving the next horse 10lbs. Second in Downpatrick last time out, he went up 3lb for that effort. He should appreciate the step up in trip and could be the one to beat under Kevin Healy.

In the novice handicap hurdle we run KING GRIS. A back to back winner in the UK on his first two starts for us, we haven’t seen him in action since December as we have been waiting on some better ground for him. He’ll need to take a step forward on what he has shown so far but the addition of first time blinkers should help his cause. Jack Kennedy rides.

COPPOLA takes her chances in the 3mile handicap hurdle. She is a consistent mare who has finished runner up on both her starts since joining the yard and bids to go one place better here under Jack Kennedy.

BALLYBOW bids to get off the mark over fences on his 6th attempt in the 2m4f Beginners Chase. He retains the blinkers but will need to take another step forward from his 4th placed efforts in Gowran Park two starts back. Jack Kennedy rides.

We saddle two runners in the penultimate race, the 3m2f handicap chase. NEON DIAMOND steps up in trip to 3m2f for the first time. A winner over 2m6f over hurdles, she should appreciate the longer distance and has the benefit of Josh Williamson’s 5lb claim. HELLO JACK is another who is stepping up in trip today. He finished 6th on his sole start over 3 miles and looks as though he should appreciate this distance. He is the pick of Jack Kennedy.

Our final runner of the day is HARDY DIAMOND for the Cullentra Racing Club. A winner over 3m1f in Kilbeggan back in the summer, she has been running consistently all winter but should appreciate the better ground conditions here today. Jack Kennedy rides.