3.25 1m. 4f. 150yds. 13 Declared. BoyleSports Ulster Derby of €80,000.00 3-y-o
1st - €48,000.00 2nd - €16,000.00 3rd - €8,000.00 4th - €4,000.00 5th - €2,400.00 6th - €1,600.00
FormscanBy Gary Carson - Another hot renewal of this race and Jim Bolger may be able to strike again having had four winners in the last seven runnings. NEW REALITY could be on a nice mark here for his 'handicap' debut now that he steps back up in trip. The New Approach gelding looked to need every yard of the extended mile-and-a-half when getting up late on to deny hotpot Modus Operandi at Tipperary back in April. He was then dropped back a couple of furlongs in a rated race at Naas and ran well enough to finish fourth to Benaud off a mark of 85. He has been dropped a couple of pounds since and in a race that usually turns into a stamina test he could prove best. This race was nominated for Star Harbour after an impressive win at Navan late last month. He commands respect despite a 15lb hike but this trip is a bit of an unknown. Ballydoyle have three runners in the €80,000 contest and King Of The Castle would appear to be the first choice on jockey bookings. He is still a maiden but ran well when third to stablemate The Mediterranean at Leopardstown and that form looks strong with the first two in that race stakes placed since.
An extended handicap for three years old only that have run three or more times under any Rules of Racing before 7th June, 2021, at least one of those runs having been over a distance of nine furlongs or more, and are eligible for a handicap rating (105 = 9st 12lbs)Weights - Top weight in the original handicap and after the time of declaration shall not be less than 9st 12lbs and the minimum weight shall not be less than 8st 6lbsPenalties - (after calculation of the handicap) A winner shall carry 7lb extra for each race won.