UK Horse Racing Tips: Downpatrick

TRENDY LADY's connections will be eyeing compensation after she was headed on the line over C&D last month. She was seven lengths clear of third Neat Locality and that run proved her aptitude for this unique venue. Coole Og was pulled up in a mares' maiden hurdle at Bellewstown after making a couple of mistakes. She could bounce back, particularly as she was successful in a bumper at Tramore, which is also an undulating track. Bella Bliss was placed over C&D on her penultimate start, which gives her claims for John McConnell, who does well at this track. She was then fourth in the race that Trendy Lady was runner-up in after making a bad mistake at the last. Happy D'ex is a potential improver.
Prediction : 1st Trendy Lady 2nd Coole Og 3rd Bella Bliss

DOLLAR VALUE won this last year and absolutely loves this track. He has actually won on his last three appearances here and has a shot at defying 11st 12lb. He can be quirky at the start but if he jumps off and gets into a rhythm, he's often hard to peg back. Soviet Pimpernel races off joint top-weight with Dollar Value. He has come in third in his last three races in this discipline and will be looking to add to his two hurdle successes from 2019. One of those was a Grade 3 so he is eminently capable of having a big say in first-time cheekpieces. Zarkareva hasn't been over hurdles in more than two years. She has mixed in good company over fences and, if taking to flights, could be dangerous to all in receipt of weight from the aforementioned horses. Wild Shot certainly knows where the winning post is and although not at his best in a valuable handicap hurdle at Galway, could readily return to form.
Prediction : 1st Dollar Value 2nd Soviet Pimpernel 3rd Zarkareva

Having caught the eye when making the frame over further here on his penultimate start, MONTEL GLORY had four of these rivals behind when dropping back to this trip on his return to Downpatrick last month. He did it well that day and can go in again off a 6lb higher mark. Top Basanta was runner-up to the selection last time and also ran well over C&D in March. She has a 4lb pull in the weights and there may not be much between the pair. Only One Plan, who is fitted with a tongue-tie, was having only his second start in a handicap when third at Killarney and the gambled-on winner followed up off a stone higher mark next time. He's down in grade here and should go well. Shannon Gray makes the long journey from Co Limerick and returned to form when fourth over 2m4f at Killarney. That form has also been boosted and cheekpieces are now applied.
Prediction : 1st Montel Glory 2nd Top Basanta 3rd Only One Plan

PARK HIND, who showed promise a few times last year, was beaten a whisker when running from out of the handicap at Ballinrobe. That was a big step up on her previous handicap form and she's effectively only 2lb higher after being 5lb wrong at the weights last time. First-time cheekpieces are fitted. Top-weight Motown Maggie had a very good run in a 3m handicap at Ayr at the Scottish Grand National meeting in April. She has had a break since and has a lot of weight to shoulder but this is a much lesser race. Aprils Joy is a likeable type and won at this venue last year when she also scored on the Flat at Tramore. Her last two runs have been respectable and dropping back in trip from 3m may help. Some Dove is going the other way in terms of distance having won a 2m maiden at Kilbeggan in June.
Prediction : 1st Park Hind 2nd Motown Maggie 3rd Aprils Joy

REXEM, an easy winner of a bumper at this course last month, has to give them all weight but looks up to the job. His front-running third to the useful Merlin Giant at the Galway Festival was a very creditable debut over hurdles and this is a lesser contest. He's stepping up in trip appreciably but has won a point-to-point. Westcoastinformant was no match for a decent type over 3m at Wexford but the winner almost followed up in a competitive handicap at Galway. He looks the main danger to the selection in receipt of 8lb. Gordon Elliott also runs Ask Philip, who is blinkered for the first time and has place claims after making the frame at Limerick. Joshua Chamberlain, related to winners in this discipline, has shown a nice level of ability in bumpers and is not without a chance on hurdling debut.
Prediction : 1st Rexem 2nd Westcoastinformant 3rd Joshua Chamberlain

TOWNHILL PENNY looks capable of opening her 'track' account now after a good run here last time to chase home Fassbender. She only went up a couple of pounds for that effort and a similar performance would probably be enough to see her add to her point-to-point win last November. Menindee is another who ran a big race to be placed last time, at Ballinrobe, and she also has to be respected off just 1lb higher mark now. I Don't Get It is likely to make the running here and if he gets loose on the lead, he could take a bit of pegging back.
Prediction : 1st Townhill Penny 2nd Menindee 3rd I Dont Get It

NOTTODAYBOBO ran a nice race on his debut at Killarney and can step forward now. The Flemensfirth gelding chased home a smart looking sort in Kinbara first time out and with that experience under his belt, he looks the one to beat now. Moon Rise Beauty faded rather tamely at Wexford on her return last month but may appreciate better ground. The Spanish Moon filly had shaped with promise when fourth on her debut at Galway last October, also in testing conditions. Captain Lightfoot showed some promise when third on his debut at Roscommon last September before finishing tailed off in a hot bumper, won by Facile Vega, on softer ground at Leopardstown. He could be place material is turning up after Saturday's Kilbeggan engagement.
Prediction : 1st Nottodaybobo 2nd Moon Rise Beauty 3rd Captain Lightfoot