Weekend Preview | Farmacaffley 22nd February 2020

Race 1 - The Mullan Family Confined Hunt Winners

WELL BILL was a big eye-catcher on his stable debut at Tyrella last month when staying on well in the closing stages to chase home Like A Demon. This test should probe to be to his liking, and would seem the one to beat coming from a stable who have won two of the last five renewals.

Stable companion Danjaman was a beaten favourite at Tattersalls Farm before Christmas bus has to be respected on his Kirkistown effort before that, whilst Spuds Trouble was a beaten favourite in this last year. The McConville family have either owned, trained or ridden the winner of this race for five of the last six years and Goldazar would look to be the pick of the two horses that could carry their silks.

Race 2 - McKinney Motors 5yo Geldings Maiden

LAND AFAR finished a length in front of recent Kirkistown winner Will Carver when making his debut at Dromahane in a race which has also produced two other subsequent maiden winners.

With his stable having produced an impressive winner in this age group at Oldtown last weekend, he would seem to have the pick of the form. Ride The Storm, Straight Swap, Francesco Du Clos and Out Of Exile are others for the shortlist.

Race 3 - Donnelly Brothers Dungannon 5yo+ Mares Maiden

RINGNEILL  would certainly not be winning out of turn here as she has finished in the frame in each of her three latest outings, including at Kirkistown most recently when chasing home Tango Theatre. She may not need to find much more improvement to get her head in front.

Little Mo may well be two years her senior, but she has proven herself to a progressive horse in her first season of racing, stepping up from her Tinahely debut to get among the placings against younger horses at Bellharbour earlier in the month, whilst Deo Bellator was only narrowly denied at Tyrella last month, and is another that cannot be discounted.

Race 4 - Armagh Construction Ltd Open

WINGED LEADER put up a big performance in this last year, finishing second to Sizing Coal, and having won in fine style at Kirkistown earlier this month, and with his stable in top form following a tenth winner of the season at Punchestown last Sunday, he is certainly the one to beat here.

The potentially re-opposing Anseanachai Cliste, Bridgets Pet and Milan Flyer all have form to overturn with him having finished behind him in this last year when third, fourth and fifth respectively, whilst Poli Roi should improve for his return run at Kirkistown.

 Race 5 - WHR Accountants Winner Of Two

ON THE SOD will look to preserve an unbeaten record here following two opening successes, including what was a notable defeat of Samurai Cracker, a horse that has since enjoyed success on the track, winning the Hunter Chase at Limerick over Christmas.

Well Bill is also entered in the Hunt race earlier on the card, but would also have place claims here, alongside the quick returning Call It Time, who was second just last Saturday in Oldtown.

Race 6 - Philip White Tyres 6yo+ Geldings Maiden

DUCKPHIL made up good late ground in this race last year to chase home Royal Drumlee, a horse that would win a further two races that season before being sold to American connections for a six-figure sum at the sales. That would look notable older maiden form and a repeat effort would surely see him go close.

Danjaman has been in the placings at both Necarne and Kirkistown in the past 12 months and would be a definite danger if bouncing back from a non-completion at Tattersalls Farm most recently, Sleve Donard has two placed efforts from the five-year-old division to his name and will find things easier on his seasonal re-appearance with this first start in older maiden company.