Royal All Star leads strong Meade team

Noel Meade's focus on Thursday will be at Leopardstown, where Harchibald goes in the Denny Hurdle, but the team of horses he sends north to Down Royal looks powerful.

Royal All Star was beaten into second on his last trip north by Logical Approach, but he looks the one to set the holiday crowd off to a flier in the opening maiden hurdle.

Two frustrating sorts, Numbersixvalverde and Backitbob, are likely to attract a lot of interest in the following maiden but Meade could be the one to trump them both.

Montys Music started an unconsidered 33 to 1 shot at Punchestown recently, but despite the odds ran a fine fourth to Mystic Lord. It may be a hint of things to come.

Active Member was another Meade runner to lose out on its last trip to the north, but taking on Jenniferjo was a hard task at Downpatrick and the horse looks worth a chance in the Beginners Chase.

Leapogues Lady's presence in the opportunity handicap hurdle looks significant on the back of her narrow win at Navan. Colin McBratney, who trains at Crossgar in Co Down, said afterwards that the mare was likely to wait for a race at Naas in early January. Yet here she is, over two and a half miles on soft ground and facing into a hat-trick of victories.

Tony Martin's Dantes Reef, runner up to Woodys Deep Ocean over hurdles at Fairyhouse, will be a warm order in the bumper but those looking for big odds might do worse than look at Mr Flowers in the handicap chase.

This one was right on the heels of Finians Ivy and Rheindross at Fairyhouse and despite a big weight has his chance in a very average race.