Mr Master Mac can keep Fahey run going at Downpatrick
Mr Master Mac and John Gleeson (near) win the WTW Willis Insurance Brokers Flat Race at Sligo last year from Circus Hill (far). Pic: Healy Racing
Already in the winner’s enclosure twice this week, trainer Mark Fahey might strike again with Mr Master Mac in this evening’s Downpatrick opener, the Randox Maiden Hurdle.
A lightly-raced Blue Bresil gelding, this fellow showed promise on his debut when third to Ripsnorter in a Roscommon bumper last August and built on that effort when getting up late to foil Circus Hill in a Sligo bumper two weeks later.
Returning after a break and making his hurdle debut, Mr Master Mac ran creditably when third to Don’t Tell Jack in a maiden hurdle in Tramore last month.
Don’t Tell Jack bolted-up on that occasion, scoring by sixteen lengths. But Mr Master Mac was beaten little more than three lengths by 110-rated runner-up Jackmoon, to whom he was conceding 8lb.
With that experience under his belt, Mr Master Mac should be capable of landing a summer maiden hurdle and, with Thomas O’Connor claiming 7lb. here, his turn might have come.
Making her stable debut for Ian Donoghue, Kilbeggan bumper winner Cailin Deas, an eight-year-old mare, and Gordon Elliott’s Le Questionnaire, runner-up to Time Is A Thief in Tramore, look the chief threat to Mr Master Mac.
A course and distance winner last September, off a 6lb. lower mark, Arcland might be capable of defying top-weight in the Tote Guarantee Never Beaten By SP Handicap Hurdle.
Not beaten far when finishing in mid-division in the flat handicap won by Kool One in Navan last time, Gavin Cromwell’s charge will be helped by Eoghan Finegan’s 7lb. claim.
And Cromwell also has definite prospects with Whispering Willow in the Down Royal Corporation Beginners Chase, a race confined to horses rated 100 or lower over hurdles.
Formerly with Paul Gilligan, this mare won a recent Punchestown handicap hurdle comfortably off 86, on her stable debut, causing an 11lb. hike in the ratings.
She could be improving and has solid claims in a wide-open event, with Keith Donoghue doing the steering.
5.20 Mr Master Mac (Nap)
5.52 Arcland
6.29 Artic Chief
7.00 Whispering Willow (nb)
7.30 West Of Idaho
8.00 Fortune Lad
8.30 Majestic Horizon
5.20 Le Questionnaire
5.52 Sea Of Doubt
6.29 Gangster Granny
7.00 Coolboy Christy
7.30 Everest The Brave
8.00 Cause For Comment
8.30 Dinner Dance
