UK Horse Racing Tips: Downpatrick

This looks a good opportunity for WILLIAMSTOWNDANCER on her hurdling debut for Willie Mullins. This Punchestown bumper winner was a never nearer third in a Grade 2 mares' bumper at Aintree last month which is very strong form in the context of this race. Drying ground will be ideal for her. Mullins also saddles Pure Notions who went off odds-on favourite for a bumper at Cork before finishing sixth. That was on heavy ground and she may be seen to better effect here. The 123-rated Smooth Player wouldn't be winning out of turn after three consecutive runner-up berths. He wasn't at his best when a remote second at Tramore in April, though. Eco Pete won a bumper at this track and is better than his last two efforts.
Prediction : 1st Williamstowndancer 2nd Pure Notions 3rd Smooth Player

QUEENIE NEWALL is a likely contender on this ground. She was a close third in this grade at Leopardstown in March before running fifth in a higher class at this track the following month, after being badly hampered in the early stages. Perhaps the trip was too far for Mister Twist at Tipperary, but this should be right up his street. His second place on penultimate start in Kilbeggan reads well. I Don't Get It is in rude health as he chases a hat-trick. He likes to dominate from the front and will make this a true test. He has won twice here before. Set Point could be an improver for Gordon Elliott, while Bigz Belief isn't out of it. Willyouwalkwithme has a very good record here with three course victories. He has tended to need his first run back off a break, though, so a market check is advised.
Prediction : 1st Queenie Newall 2nd Mister Twist 3rd I Dont Get It

TANGO THEATRE was beaten a fair way into second over a similar trip at Ballinrobe, but the form got a boost when the horse just behind her in third came out and won at Cork. That Ballinrobe run came on testing ground and she has form on better ground which she will encounter here. A Dublin Job should strip fitter after his comeback run at Cork. Just three runs back, he was caught in the closing stages of a 3m handicap hurdle on good ground at Tipperary. Latest Model is up in trip and wasn't beaten far into fourth at Clonmel. Cheekpieces are tried on Echo Gate who is in good hands. Tingarran Express has shown all her form on deep ground.
Prediction : 1st Tango Theatre 2nd A Dublin Job 3rd Latest Model

FAIRLAND has been in good form between the flags and could transfer it to this beginners' chase. After three placed efforts, she made the breakthrough at Stowlin last month. That jumping experience will stand to her and she has each-way claims. Lakefield Flyer is a threat if taking to fences. He was a more than decent second over hurdles in Down Royal at the start of the month. Finnians Row has enough form in the book to advertise his chance. He gets a visor for the first time. Ask The Leader has won three handicap hurdles at this track and is a chasing newcomer to note on her first run for more than seven months. Dont Doubt Me starts out over fences and has a Gowran Park handicap hurdle in the book. He is also coming off a break. Golden Nugget hasn't shown much in three hurdle races and switches to the bigger obstacles. Her trainer, Gordon Elliott, very rarely leaves a Downpatrick fixture without a winner.
Prediction : 1st Fairland 2nd Lakefield Flyer 3rd Ask The Leader

MATTHEWS HILL performed really well in a hunters' chase at Punchestown when just giving best to the winner in the closing stages. He was well clear of the remainder and a reproduction of that run would put him right on the premises. Carrig Wells is more than capable of having a say. She has been busy this year, but generally runs her race and did win a Knockanard point-to-point in February. David Christie's runners always have to be scrutinised in this discipline. He supplies Nevermindestranger who dead-heated in a Necarne point-to-point last month. Time Was, Getawayrooney and Mandilou are all in there pitching for prize money. Reserve Lough Des would be no forlorn hope if getting a run.
Prediction : 1st Matthews Hill 2nd Carrig Wells 3rd Nevermindestranger

A cracking race. VAUCELET just lost out by a length in the champion hunters' chase at Punchestown and is a definite force in these ranks. The last time he raced over this trip he was victorious in a good race at Stratford almost a year ago. He is very much at home on better ground. Billaway is a standing dish at the top table of hunter chasers. He actually hasn't been over a trip as far as this in his career, but does usually find for pressure when he hits the flat spot. He has some questions to answer after failing to complete in two of his last three starts. Dento Des Obeaux was far from outclassed in sixth in the Foxhunters' at Aintree. Prior to that, he won three races in a row and is a player here. Shantou Show is very much on the upgrade. He won here last month and stayed on well to get up by a neck in Tipperary. He looks to have plenty of scope.
Prediction : 1st Vaucelet 2nd Billaway 3rd Dento Des Obeaux

THE WALLPARK appeals on his first run for Gordon Elliott. This Ask gelding showed ability for Vincent Ward, particularly when runner-up in a Down Royal maiden hurdle in November and when third in a Fairyhouse bumper in February. Kalanisi Flash is set to be heavily involved. He landed two point-to-points for Brian Jordan and switched to John McConnell before finishing fourth in a Leopardstown bumper over Christmas. He didn't threaten there, but the winner is very useful in graded company now while the third has since taken a bumper in Cork. Barons Revenge was eighth on debut for Willie Mullins at Punchestown and looks sure to improve, perhaps significantly so.
Prediction : 1st The Wallpark 2nd Kalanisi Flash 3rd Barons Revenge