Doyle duo head north with decent chances Liz Doyle is optimistic of decent efforts from Ashjan and Bosco Di Alco at Downpatrick on Saturday. The County Wexford handler is particularly looking forward to saddling Ashjan in the Patrick Rice Horsebox Sales And Repairs Handicap Hurdle. The five-year-old has shaped well in both his starts since returning from a 217-day absence, including over the course and distance last month. “He’s a course winner. He’s running off a mark of 88 so we’ve put a claimer on him to see if we can get a bit of an edge,” said Doyle. “He’s run very well twice since he came back from a break, so I expect him to go well. “The track and trip should suit.” Ashjan is among a field of 13 declared for the extended two-and-a-quarter mile contest. Gordon Elliott saddles Canny Tom, Henry de Bromhead is represented by course and distance winner Show And Go while Des McDonogh’s top-weight Alterno seeks a third win on this track. Whether Bosco Di Alco will handle the course is a concern for Doyle, but if he does than she expects the seven-year-old to put up a good show in the AJC Group Handicap Chase. “I’d a bit worried about the track for him but the trip should be fine. He should go well if he handles the track,” she said. Elliott is responsible for Cecil Corbett, who heads the handicap along with Paul Stafford’s Fenlon’s Hill, who returned to form at Down Royal last month. A competitive field for Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Maiden Hurrdle include Jessica Harrington’s Maple Lawn and Irish Lass, who makes her jumps debut for the Willie Mullins’ stable after winning a Tramore bumper in August. Mullins has Stay Humble in the Molson Coors (Ladies Pro/Am) Flat Race. Owned by Graham and Andrea Wylie, the five-year-old will be hoping to end a sequence of being a beaten odds-on favourite in all her bumpers to date.
