Despite the political upheaval in Northern Ireland, racing is scheduled to go ahead at Down Royal today, when the feature is the £50,000 Ulster Harp Derby. There had been serious doubts about various sections of the racing circus travelling north, but after certain insurance premium adjustments, the starting stall personnel will be in attendance as will the Turf Club camera patrol and the photo finish.

However, the Turf Club camera patrol will not be in operation at tomorrow's evening fixture, so a local film unit will be providing that function at the racecourse, which is approximately 30 miles from Portadown. The jockeys valets will also not travel.

In the midst of such momentous events, what horse will pass the post first in a 12 furlong handicap is comparatively trivial, but in the event itself, Rajjaaf is selected to give Dermot Weld his fifth Ulster Derby success.

One of Weld's previous winners was Munif, who took the race in 1995, and Rajjaaf is a half brother to that horse. Rajjaaf is by Unfuwain and wears blinkers for the first time in this afternoon's race.

He hasn't run in two months, but Weld's horses have maintained a high level of success and that should not be a problem. Rajjaaf's last run was when a half length runner-up to Beldarian at Cork, with Desert Fox four lengths back in third. On the balance of his form, Rajjaaf appears reasonably handicapped and he is taken to beat Balla Sola and Sarayan.

The John Oxx team is clearly flying at present, having landed Sunday's Oaks with Winona, and they are taken to continue the successful run with Rhine Valley in the opening five-furlong handicap and with Enzeli in the 14-furlong maiden.

Markskeepingthefaith could run a nice race at a decent price in the second race, and Spanish Sal will be hard to beat in the last.