PAT FLYNN sends Laurens Fancy on the long journey from his Waterford base to contest the John Turley Building Contractor Handicap Hurdle at Downpatrick this afternoon, and it would hardly take the investigative skills of the once-famous sleuth, Sexton Blake, after whom the sire of the mare is named, to work out that this might be a fact worth noting.
Other pointers to Laurens Fancy's chances of taking the prize are her impressive victories at Thurles and Naas this season. She also ran a fine race on her most recent start when a close-up fifth to Stagalier at Gowran earlier this month.
The clear danger is Lios Na Maol, a length in front of Laurens Fancy in third place at Gowran when her rider could not claim his full allowance. She has obvious claims, but her overall form is not that impressive and Laurens Fancy may be a safer bet.
Paddy Graffin sent his easy Down Royal winner, Frankie Willow, to Cheltenham for the bumper, where the four-year-old started 50 to 1 and never figured. The opposition in the Breeders Supporting Downpatrick INH Flat Race will be more to Frankie Willow's liking.
Victor Bowen's horses are starting to find their form and the Co Wicklow trainer should be on the mark with Macallister in the Rank Magee Memorial EBF Beginners Chase. Off the track since finishing sixth of seven to the ill-fated Johnny Setaside at Leopardstown at Christmas, Macallister will have few easier winning opportunities.
Johneen might be good enough to beat two winners on their latest starts, Hersilia and Ballymacrevan.
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