Will Grand National runner make most of favourable conditions on his return to hurdles? Analysis and key quotes for Down Royal feature

Primarily known as a chaser, having competed in the most recent runnings of the Grand National and the Galway Plate, Three Card Brag makes his return to hurdles and the conditions of this race ensure he's the one they all have to beat. 

Jack Kennedy’s choice hasn’t jumped a hurdle in public since finishing a disappointing third of four in a Clonmel conditions race in December, and his rating says he is a better chaser, being 7lb higher than his 138 hurdles mark. However, he avoids a penalty which is borne by most of his main rivals. 

Top-rated Happy Jacky would give Three Card Brag 5lb in a handicap, but here Mark Fahey’s representative must concede double that. 

Gordon Elliott has won two of the last three runnings of this event, and while his eight-year-old has been disappointing on his recent chase starts, he appeals as the most likely winner.

World Of Fortunes reverts to hurdles following a poor jumping display on her chase debut at Tramore, which was so bad that it was something to behold. The dual Listed novice hurdle winner will be much more at home here, but receives just 1lb from Three Card Brag despite holding an 8lb lower rating.

Another not so well in at the weights is Reverend Hubert, who was relegated into second by Happy Jacky, beaten a head, at Cork last month. Charles Byrnes’s seven-year-old will be 6lb better off with the winner here, but has a 5lb penalty of his own to carry which blunts any enthusiasm about him for win purposes.

What they say

Gary McGill, trainer of Building Bridges
We are trying to get him to enjoy racing again. He has had a few runs where he was up at the top end. He was jarred up a bit at Aintree and lost his confidence slightly. We decided we would give him a run at the local track, where he has won before.

Charles Byrnes, trainer of Reverend Hubert
He came out of the last race well and is in good form but I am hoping they don’t get too much rain up there. He has a penalty on this occasion but he is in there with every chance.

Gordon Elliott, trainer of Three Card Brag and Tullybeg
It looks a competitive race but both horses are in good form. We could probably do with a bit of rain for Three Card Brag, and probably the better the ground stays, the better for Tullybeg.

James Kenny, assistant trainer of World Of Fortunes
The last day over fences we knew it was going to be a big ask and she mightn’t really take to them, and she didn’t jump at all, so we’re going back hurdling. We would be hopeful of a good run, but she is wrong at the weights with a few of them. The trip, track and ground should suit, but it’s a tough ask

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