McCoy will be the star attraction

Horse racing fans are preparing for a fantastic weekend as the Down Royal Festival of Racing will begin today (Friday), continuing tomorrow (Saturday).
By The Newsroom
Published 1st Nov 2013, 08:32 BST

Some 249 horses will line up over the two days, with 14 races taking place.

Total prize money during the meeting amounts to almost £450,000 with Friday’s feature, the £50,000 WKD Grade 2 Novice Hurdle.

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Jezki, the mount of Tony McCoy, is likely to prove the star attraction of the opening day.

Jezki, the top rated JP Mc Manus owned hurdler – third behind Champagne Fever at the Cheltenham Festival before landing the Grade 1 Novice hurdle at the Punchestown Festival – will have most to fear from Flaxen Flare, winner of the Grade 3 Fred Winter Juvenile Hurdle at this year’s Cheltenham showcase meeting.

Ireland’s leading jumps owner, JP Mc Manus, has another entry in Thomas Edison, trained by Tony Martin which was a major fancy for the Galway Hurdle when partnered by McCoy, finishing 11th. Que Pasa, a four time winner including over the Maze course, is top rated in the Grade 3 Mares Hurdle.