Digby

Digby did well to finish third behind Metersandmarks and Hewick in the three-mile-one-furlong handicap hurdle at Ballinrobe last Tuesday, after making a significant mistake at the second last flight.

Dermot McLoughlin’s horse settled into his racing rhythm early for Keith Donoghue, towards the inside and just behind the pace. He was travelling best of all on the run to the second last flight, when he got in tight, clouted the obstacle and landed flat-footed, and he was always playing catch-up after that. He came under a ride immediately after that, and he did keep on well to finish third, just over two lengths behind the winner.

Digby continues to progress. Winner of his maiden hurdle at Sligo last August, and of a novices’ hurdle at Killarney in October, he was impressive in making all the running to win a novices’ handicap hurdle at the Fairyhouse Irish National meeting in April, getting home by just over two lengths from Auckland, who has since won his maiden hurdle at Killarney and is now rated 11lb higher than he was then. Digby is rated just 10lb higher, on a mark of 128, and that is a mark that is more than workable. He is only seven, he has raced just eight times in his life, and he remains unexposed over staying trips. He is a chaser in waiting, but he would also be of interest in a good staying handicap hurdle in the interim off his current mark.
Ballinrobe, 31^st May 2022