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Punchestown 2024
Punchestown 2024
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- Julio out for more glory at Down Royal
Julio out for more glory at Down Royal
Presenting Julio pictured in action over fences
© Photo Healy Racing
Presenting Julio will bid to record his sixth success of the year when he lines up in the West Coast Cooler Fashion Week Ulster Cesarewitch Handicap at Down Royal on Friday.
The versatile Gordon Elliott-trained bay started his winning streak over fences at Tramore in April, with his next three successes coming over the smaller obstacles at Downpatrick, Roscommon and Limerick respectively.
He was again triumphant on his most recent outing at Killarney last month and reverts back to the level for the first time since June.
Declan McDonogh will be aboard the nine-year-old gelding, and off a mark of 62 he can be expected to go close.
Others for the shortlist in this two-mile-two-furlong contest are Galway winner Magna Cartor the Pat Smullen-ridden Venezia and the Jessica Harrington trained Neverushacon
Harrington saddles Painting Pictures in the West Coast Cooler Rose Nursery Handicap, and this chestnut filly looks to have solid claims with Sean Davis taking 7lb off.
Elliott and McDonogh team up with Only William here, and it will be interesting to see how this son of Kyllachy fares, with blinkers and a tongue strap deployed for the first time.
McDonogh again looks to have strong claims on Stewardess in the opening Irish Stallion Farms EBF 2yo Maiden. This daughter of Dandy Man appears to be improving with each run, and she filled the runner-up spot behind Powersville at Navan on Saturday.
The Michael O'Callaghan-trained Kion is an obvious danger with Pat Smullen booked to ride. He went down by just a head on his most recent start at the Curragh.
Smullen is an interesting jockey booking on Patrick Joseph in the Foran Equine Irish EBF Auction Maiden.
This David Marnane-trained colt ran better than his finishing position would suggest at the Curragh last month. Shinko Princess and Realt Rua look the two to focus on in the second race on the programme, the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden.
The consistent Greenpanda should give a good account of himself in the Weatherbys Handicap, while Trump Card, Our Rachael and Mallory Heights are a few for the shortlist in the West Coast Cooler Original Apprentice Handicap.