Grand National contenders on trial at Down Royal The Bluegrass Stamm 30 Chase is the feature on the St Patrick’s Day card at Down Royal this afternoon and the 3m2f event has the real feel of a Grand National trial with a quality field going to post at 3.50pm. Longhouse Poet is currently favourite at a general 2/1 and last year’s Thyestes Chase winner is heading back for another crack at the Aintree showpiece having finished sixth to Noble Yeats last April. Burrows Saint and Farclas are other Grand National entries in opposition here, while Now Where Or When is currently 20/1 with the sponsors for the BoylesSports Irish Grand National. Pencilfulloflead (lame) is an absentee leaving eight runners. There has been a big market move overnight for the Mark Fahey-trained Lyla Garrity in the Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Hurdle (2.30). The lightly raced mare was as big as 25/1 and Peter Smitters’ mount is now a general 4/1. Carrig Sam could be another one to keep a close eye on in the Follow On Instagram @bluegrasshorsefeed Rated Novice Chase (4.30). The Arthur Moore-trained gelding was heavily backed for a similar event at Fairyhouse last month but fell when tracking the leaders three out. The going at Down Royal is now soft to heavy (heavy in places) on the hurdle/bumper course and soft (soft to heavy in places) on the chase course following 20mm of rain since declarations. The forecast is mainly dry with the chance of some passing showers, possibly heavy at times.
