A look ahead to the Down Royal action Roscommon scorer Downdraft heads a field of seven runners for the Her Majesty’s Plate at Down Royal. Joseph O’Brien’s charge claimed a narrow victory in the Lenebane Stakes almost three weeks ago and will be well-fancied for a second successive Listed win on Friday evening, despite being shouldered with a 3lb penalty. Giuseppe Garibaldi will make his first appearance since joining John Oxx. The four-year-old was a high-class performer for Aidan O’Brien last season, winning the King George V Cup at Leopardstown before being placed in races like King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot and the Curragh Cup. Having spent the winter in Qatar with Ahmed Kobeissi, he has returned for a second stint in Ireland, and his official rating of 105 gives him every chance in this one-mile-six-furlong contest. The highest-rated runner on a mark of 110 is Jessica Harrington’s The King, who has his sights lowered after failing to get competitive in the Curragh Cup four weeks ago. Sir Mark Prescott’s British raider Altra Vita, Keith Watson’s Noble Expression, Jimmy Lambe’s Utah and Tritonix from Gavin Cromwell’s yard are the other hopefuls. The card opens with the Magners Welcome To Ciderland Race, in which Harrington’s Millisle bids to make it two from two. The daughter of Starspangledbanner looked above average when making a winning debut at Bellewstown three weeks ago, and this looks an excellent opportunity for her to follow up for a trainer firing on all cylinders. Michael Mulvany’s Early Call is capable of defying top-weight in the Magners Dark Fruit Handicap. The four-year-old won his maiden over the course and distance last September and returns in fine form, having made the most of a falling mark when re-discovering the winning trail at Navan a couple of weeks ago. Enough Said won a shade cosily on his first start for Aidan Fogarty at Bellewstown, and a mark of 76 for the Magners Irish Cider Handicap may under-estimate his potential. Many will consider Aidan O’Brien’s Royal County Down as the banker of the evening in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden. The son of Gleneagles is out to make it third time lucky after fine efforts in defeat at the Curragh and Tipperary.
