UK Horse Racing Tips: Downpatrick

Blinkers and a change of strategy in attempting to make all saw Dilly Filly finish fourth at this track in March. The same approach could see her bank a cheque. ETINCELLE LIOTERIE has attracted support on both of her starts in mares' maiden hurdles at Limerick and Killarney. She came in fourth in both of them, after racing prominently, and the drop back in trip looks a shrewd move as she came under pressure coming to the last two flights in those two and three quarter mile contests. Cheekpieces go on for the first time. Gordon Elliott's Imperial Allure makes her hurdling debut after three unplaced efforts in mares' bumpers. She has Davy Russell's assistance and Elliott's strike-rate at this venue is beyond reproach. He also saddles former point-to-point winner Immortality, and you would think this mare could appreciate the better ground. Coosan Clover has a bit to find with the selection on their running at Limerick, but isn't out of it.
Prediction : 1st Etincelle Lioterie 2nd Dilly Filly 3rd Imperial Allure

Pasley is the one to beat with a mark of 119, but the nagging concern is that his form has come on ground with cut in it. His class could see him home but, with the going forecast to be good, preference is for JACK HACKETT. He was last seen finishing third behind an impressive, runaway winner at Clonmel in March. Closer scrutiny of that race gives him a good chance, though. The runner-up came out and obliged by seven lengths in a maiden hurdle at Limerick in June, so the Clonmel form looks strong. Ya Boy Ya goes well at this unique track. He won a bumper here last summer and was also beaten half a length into second in a maiden hurdle in September. He reappeared off a break to finish fourth in a maiden hurdle at Roscommon last month, where he had the 'right' horses in front of him including the stylish winning-favourite Sneaky Getaway. That should have him primed for this assignment. Felino De Bersy is a potential improver.
Prediction : 1st Jack Hackett 2nd Pasley 3rd Ya Boy Ya

INISHBEL could be worth chancing on seasonal reappearance. Her form in Downpatrick reads 213 with the victory coming in a mares' maiden hurdle over a similar trip in July last year. Sean O'Keeffe, who has been among the winners recently, takes 5lb off her back and this trip and ground look ideal. The concern is that she has been off since October. Kilmurry has to enter the equation after a decent second at this track in March, when 10 lengths clear of the third. That was his best effort in eight races to date. The fifth home in that race, Bread And Butter, has since gone in twice to boost Kilmurry's chances. If the ground remains good, though, that would temper enthusiasm in his chance as he has been extensively campaigned on rain-softened ground. Insane Bolt and So Near So Farhh appear best of the rest.
Prediction : 1st Inishbel 2nd Kilmurry 3rd Insane Bolt

ENJOY D'ALLEN was waited with in Kilbeggan and couldn't quite reel in the winner, but may gain compensation here. That maiden hurdle was over an extended two miles three furlongs, and this two miles six furlongs should be right up his street as a former point-to-point winner. Bourbon Borderline attempted to make all over two and a half miles in Tipperary on his first start for Colin Bowe. He finished third, beaten by six lengths, but the form was boosted when the winner went in again at Roscommon on Monday. He's also a former winner 'between the flags', so ought to go well in this staying test. He's rated a stone inferior to the selection, though, so has it all to do off level weights. There is surely more to come from Bloodstone who is well worth watching in the market. Memories Remain has two placed runs in bumpers to her name. She should be fitter after an unplaced run from the front in a Bellewstown bumper, and is interesting on hurdling debut.
Prediction : 1st Enjoy Dallen 2nd Bourbon Borderline 3rd Bloodstone

CAERLEON KATE could reward each-way support for local trainer Colin McBratney. She generally puts in her best work around these undulations and, indeed, her sole victory came here in a handicap hurdle over a similar trip in October 2018. Dylan Johnston's 7lb claim puts her on a weight that she can be competitive off in a weak race. Maureen's Star popped up off a lowly mark to land a handicap chase in Kilbeggan at the end of June, when nicely backed. She didn't cut much ice when racing over hurdles last August, but good ground is in her favour and she is the one horse arriving in form, so has to rate a danger. Top-weight Mary Of De Sorrows is a lightly-raced sort who can build upon her fifth place at Tipperary last month. Moyode Lady was heavily backed at Bellewstown, but didn't feature. Her form is on more testing ground, so it will be interesting to see if she is supported again. Lady Of The Sea can get involved with Eoin Walsh claiming a more than handy 7lb.
Prediction : 1st Caerleon Kate 2nd Maureens Star 3rd Mary Of De Sorrows

A chance is taken on LISAVALLEY LASS with a first-time tongue-strap on. The daughter of Ask will be making her second appearance in handicap company, tackling the longest trip that she's encountered to date, and also racing on top of the ground for the initial occasion. She'll have to improve on what she's shown but she's only a five-year-old and is in good hands. Philip Dempsey's only runner on the card has been noted making minor jumping errors. She's also shown a little bit of ability in big fields though. This assignment represents a different test altogether and at the expected price a small each-way investment could be worth making. They've been there and got the tee-shirt when it comes to winning at Downpatrick so Balgowlah and Our Brian are very much respected. Galaxy Girl needs to jump better than she did at Tipperary. If she does she's a huge player with this trip promising to suit. Her stable companion Miraculum is another to consider. In truth reasonable cases can be built for a few of them.
Prediction : 1st Lisavalley Lass 2nd Balgowlah 3rd Our Brian

John 'Shark' Hanlon should have a good handle on what's required here and his Stowaway gelding CROBALLY BOY is the suggestion. Another big player, Curlew Hill (up in distance), was well behind Hanlon's impressive Tipperary scorer Hallowed Star. Movements in the market should be informative then, and Crobally Boy can surely only come forward from his debut third placing at Kilbeggan over a fortnight ago. Going back in trip mightn't be ideal with the selection as he looked 'a galloper' at the County Westmeath venue but the uphill finish here should suit him well. Ruaille Buaille is back at Downpatrick for her second outing after finishing third here over a year back – June 2019. That was no bad contest and the daughter of Salutino ought to be bang there if stripping fit and well off the lengthy break. Hanlon's partner Rachel, is a daughter of Ronnie O'Neill of Whytemount Stud in Kells in Kilkenny. The O'Neills bred Ruaille Buaille so as stated already the Shark is in a decent position to weigh up this contest and the betting may give a proper steer.
Prediction : 1st Crobally Boy 2nd Ruaille Buaille 3rd Curlew Hill