Drama for McLoughlin up north Ratoath handler Dermot McLoughlin has enjoyed a fine spring campaign with his horses and looks to have a couple of good chances on the card at Down Royal this evening. . Some Drama bids to follow up on his beginners chase success at Limerick last month when lining up in the feature O2 Handicap Chase. The nine-year-old opened his account over fences last time in effortless fashion and returns to 'The Maze' having been narrowly denied on his last visit on St Patrick's Day. He renews rivalry now with Kylestyle, who gained the judges verdict then but has something to prove after a disappointing run at Punchestown subsequently. A bigger danger may prove to be Altiepix, who was third on his last visit to the course earlier in the month. The consistent King Blue looks to have a nice racing weight in the two-and-a-half-mile contest with Jack Kennedy taking off a valuable 3lb. McLoughlin will be hoping Clontarf can go one better earlier on the card, having been narrowly denied on his last outing at Fairyhouse. He was just collared on the line by the in-form Bye Bye O Bye last time and bids for compensation in the Barclay Telecom Handicap Hurdle. The Brian Boru gelding has been raised 5lb for his runner-up effort and is now 3lb worse off with Vote Of Confidence, who was behind in third then. That rival was actually fighting things out with Clontarf going to the last then and on the revised terms has to be a big threat. Heartbreak City’s win at Tipperary on Thursday means he’s now ineligible for the opening Data Select Maiden Hurdle, and perhaps Wakea can go one better following a promising second on his jumps debut at Limerick earlier in the month.
