Downpatrick preview Georgios Pakidis welcomes back an old ally when Araglen Lad runs in the joint-feature race at Downpatrick. The Greek-born, County Armagh trainer will be relieved to get the 10-year-old on the track for this 12,000 euro prize after having spent the best part of a year on the sidelines. Araglen Lad looked quite promising at Clonmel in June 2015 when he dotted up by 10 lengths in a two-mile handicap chase. He has not been seen since then, though, and will be ridden by Robbie Colgan, who was at the helm at Clonmel. Pakidis' inmate will take on seven largely out-of-form rivals, with Ballyfinboy, runner-up on his last two outings at Tramore, set to carry top weight. Liam Lennon's Waltz Legend has recently been campaigned in England and would not be out of the equation if a fairly encouraging run at Sedgefield in April is taken into account. The 12,000 euro Welcome To America Rated Novice Hurdle over two and three-quarter miles is the first race on the seven-race card. Gordon Elliott looks to have strong claims with Perth scorer John Monash and Faraway Mountain, with Bryan Cooper set to receive the leg-up on the Noel Meade-trained Rise Of An Empire, owned by Gigginstown House Stud. The six-year-old won well at this track a fortnight ago and is in receipt of 5lb from the Paul Fahey-trained Dontbackme, who is lumbered with a penalty for a fine success at Kilbeggan last month.
