UK Horse Racing Tips: Downpatrick

Evenwood Sonofagun and FINNTHEMAGICIAN renew rivalry and have a few scores to settle after meeting over 2m4f at Down Royal last month. The pair were neck and neck when bumping just after the last resulting in the selection falling and Evenwood Sonofagun being hampered and losing out to Champella. There is precious little between the pair on that showing, but Gordon Elliott's Perth bumper winner was still quite green on that hurdle debut and may have the more scope for improvement. No Trouble has won six times on the Flat and has been placed on a number of hurdle outings this summer, while Favorite Moon is a useful sort on the Flat and was far from disgraced last time in the big amateur riders' handicap on the opening day of the Galway Festival.
Prediction : 1st Finnthemagician 2nd Evenwood Sonofagun 3rd Favorite Moon

SPHAGNUM has been in good form this summer winning over 2m4f at Sligo and again over a slightly longer trip at this venue last month with Diamondinthemud back in third. The selection retains the cheek pieces that were fitted here for the first time and can defy a 6lb rise under regular partner Denis O'Regan. Hereditary Rule has made hay over fences this year winning three times over various trips and reverts to hurdles off a much lower mark with an obvious chance. Inforapenny comes here on a consistent run of form that includes a win over 2m4f at Bellewstown, while Wee Willie Nail switches to handicap company after a trio of runs here in maidens.
Prediction : 1st Sphagnum 2nd Hereditary Rule 3rd Wee Willie Nail

CLODY VALLEY won over fences at Tramore this spring and is still off an attractive hurdle mark with Michael O'Sullivan claiming a valuable 7lb. The addition of cheek pieces on his latest two starts appears to have had a positive affect on the Liz Doyle-trained gelding finishing second over fences at Tramore and also a creditable fourth to the well-backed Big Island when revering to hurdles at Galway last week. Mater Matuta added to a Tramore chase win when scoring over hurdles at Bellewstown last month and the booking of Rachael Blackmore is interesting. Darkest Hour is a consistent sort at this level at has been placed on three of his latest four starts at this venue. Kellie's Dream appreciated a sounder surface when scoring at Wexford last time.
Prediction : 1st Clody Valley 2nd Mater Matuta 3rd Darkest Hour

DESERTMORE HOUSE showed some promise in bumpers including when third at Fairyhouse before switching to hurdles for an impressive win at Wexford. The point-to-point winner showed a tendency to jump left which would be of concern around here but such was the ease of his victory last time he rates a solid chance to follow up. Bella Bliss filled the runner-up spot behind Happy D'ex here last month but has won both outings since in impressive fashion at Sligo and Cartmel. He's Leading Me On is also progressing nicely and is another on a hat-trick after wins at Tramore and Sligo last month, while Magheralin Mick and Some Dove also come here off the back of a win.
Prediction : 1st Desertmore House 2nd Bella Bliss 3rd Hes Leading Me On

BROWN MONDAY looks like he will make a better chaser than a hurdler on the limited evidence so far and gets the vote in a race for horses rated 102 or less over hurdles. He beat all bar Homme D'un Soir when switched to fences at Roscommon last month and was still in contention when brought down two out on his only subsequent start at Tramore. Ingenious Stroke may prove the main threat having won a point-to-point and been placed on his last three outings over hurdles including a handicap at this venue off a mark of 102. Majavango has had a summer break since making a decent start over fences when runner-up to Na Caith Tobac over C&D in May, while Final Orders recorded his second win over hurdles at Bellewstown last time.
Prediction : 1st Brown Monday 2nd Ingenious Stroke 3rd Final Orders

Mark McNiff has a couple of interesting runners here and perhaps NUTTORRIDGE can land the spoils. He's gained both career wins at this venue including a chase over C&D and comes here following a decent effort at Galway last week. Stablemate Lighthouse Rose has gained all three hurdle wins over 2m6f here including when making all last time, while Menindee has been in good form over hurdles notably winning over the same trip at Ballinrobe last month. The latter is an interesting recruit to fences from one of the top point-to-point yards. Ardaghs Choice will not lack for stamina having won over 3m1f at Wexford earlier this month, while Krujers Girl and Lessofdnegativity are others to consider.
Prediction : 1st Nuttorridge 2nd Menindee 3rd Lighthouse Rose

DOYEN FLYER gets the vote to land this on debut and it appears significant that Willie Mullins sends just the one runner on the card all the way up to this northern venue. The daughter of Doyen is out of a maiden hurdle winner and from the family of smart hurdler Sweet Kiln. Champagnesocialist has shown promise in all four bumper starts on varying ground conditions, while Gordon Elliott is doubly represented with Six Ace appearing the pick of the Cullentra pair. The Sholokhov gelding has indicated ability in three bumper outings and Jamie Codd takes the mount aboard the four-year-old for the first time with cheek pieces also added.
Prediction : 1st Doyen Flyer 2nd Six Ace 3rd Champagnesocialist