Down Royal today

Down Royal in Northern Ireland keeps the flag flying for the jumps fraternity today and the hurdles races at the beginning of the card look the most interesting events. The 4yo maiden hurdle at 14.15 CET features some Cheltenham entries, including Jessica Harrington´s Colleoni (Andrew Leigh), who has already shown useful form over the sticks. However he may not be able to beat debutant Almolahek (Dermot Weld/ Ruby Walsh), who had better form on the flat - although neither suceeded in winning a race -and whose trainer has an excellent record with his few jumpers. The maiden hurdle for 6yo´s half an hour later should go to Judge Roy Bean (Edward O´Grady/ Andrew McNamara), who has clearly the best form in the race, and his jockey can double up with the O´Connell stable´s Powerstation in the conditions race over 2 1/2 miles at 15.15. When last seen he was a nek runner-up to the smart Fair Along at Cheltenham in November. The one to beat here is Leading Run (Noel Meade/ Paul Carbe rry), who put up some good performances in 2007 but has been off the track for more than a year.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Almolahek - Colleoni - Timari
2. Race: Judge Roy Bean - Drive On Regardles - Fier Destrier
3. Race: Powerstation - Merdeka - Leading Run
4. Race: Del Rio - Meadows Thyne - Smack That
5. Race: Plaisir D`Estruval - Lochan Lacha - Pagan Magic
6. Race: The Corby Glenn - Lord Tee - Arc Of Stone
7. Race: Master Cullen - Ballymak - West Dance