UK Horse Racing Tips: Downpatrick

This looks quite open, with ANGELSWORKNOVRTIME the suggestion. Without a win in 12 starts, she does have solid bits of form to her name. On what was her first outing since October, she ran a fine race to finish third of 18 behind My Gaffer at Limerick recently, and it'll come as no surprise if she manages to go a few places better now. Howaya C D And E is given second preference. She won the bumper on his very card 12-months ago and has been placed four-times over flights since. Returning from a break now, it'll be interesting to see how the eight-year-old fares. Point-to-point winner Mel Monroe also returns from time off and is sure to prove popular with punters, despite the fact she has failed to justify favouritism on her two starts since joining Gordon Elliott. Winning Mischief is another leading contender after finishing third at Listowel recently, while the three newcomers in the line-up also warrant respect.
Prediction : 1st Angelsworknovrtime 2nd Howaya C D And E 3rd Mel Monroe

Placed on the level in France and bought for 82,000 euros at Arqana in June of 2021, LAISHANN gets the nod. Trained by Gordon Elliott and previously owned by the Sunday Racing Club, he now carries the colours of Elliott's racing secretary and PA, Alexandra Hutter. Out for well over a year, the Footstepsinthesand gelding returned to action at Punchestown last weekend and finished a respectable sixth of 17 behind stable companion New Years Honours. Fitted with cheekpieces for the first time now and making his debut in handicap company, he should be able to make an impact in a contest of this quality. Willyouwalkwithme and Ask The Leader have both won three times at Downpatrick and the former, who is the highest rated runner in the line-up, is given second preference. Successful at Punchestown last month, Vale Of Glory is sure to have plenty of supporters as he bids to follow-up, while Craic Eile, Hide And Seek and Moonovercloon are other leading hopes.
Prediction : 1st Laishann 2nd Willyouwalkwithme 3rd Vale Of Glory

Another competitive affair. Philip Rothwell has his horses in fine form at present and the Co Wicklow handler saddles two here, with BEECHROAD WINNIE the selection. A half-sister to four-time winner Ricky Langford, she is still a maiden after 19 career starts. On her first outing since October, she ran a fine race to finish fourth at Tramore recently and was just three lengths off the winner. Joey Dunne now takes the ride on the seven-year-old and it'll be disappointing if she is not involved towards the business end. A sister to eight-time winner Western Miller, Susie Miller is the highest rated runner in the line-up. Successful three-times 'between the flags', she was an encouraging third at Limerick last month and will be well fancied to go a few places better now. Ciankyle and Hockworthy Flyer both filled the runner-up spot last time out and they are sure to have plenty of supporters, while others for the shortlist are dual-course winner Nuttoridge and the first-time blinkered Westernerona.
Prediction : 1st Beechroad Winnie 2nd Susie Miller 3rd Hockworthy Flyer

DIAMONDINTHEMUD could represent a shade of value. She is comfortably the highest-rated horse in the field and this is a drop in class from a fair fifth in a valuable handicap chase at Kilbeggan, where she attracted support. She clearly enjoys this track as her form figures over hurdles here are '231'. Aidan Kelly takes 7lb off her back. Bal Kauto is in a rich vein of form and there may be another win in him. He began his winning run over a similar trip in a handicap hurdle at Limerick last month and followed up over further in a handicap chase at Clonmel last week. Tick Along won a handicap hurdle over an extended 2m5f at this track on her penultimate start. She is not on a bad mark over fences. Philip Rothwell has had four winners in the last three weeks, at the time of writing, and saddles Lesssaidthebetter who has a chance.
Prediction : 1st Diamondinthemud 2nd Bal Kauto 3rd Tick Along

SOME DOVE might be a different proposition on her second start over fences. She was backed to deliver in Limerick, but came in sixth. That was her first run for more than eight months, though. She won over hurdles in Tramore last summer and that is a similar undulating track to this one. Run For Pat has his first crack at fences having won twice in staying races over the smaller obstacles. Gordon Elliott does particularly well at this track and jockey Danny Gilligan has been in electric form for the trainer. Priory Park has questions to answer after finishing out the back in Kilbeggan. Prior to that, he had posted runner-up finishes in Fairyhouse and Tramore. A reproduction of those efforts would have him right on the premises. Construct is having his first start over fences at the age of eight. He has won on the Flat and over hurdles and shouldn't be underestimated.
Prediction : 1st Some Dove 2nd Run For Pat 3rd Priory Park

ARDHILL has a massive absence to overcome, but horses from Gordon Elliott's stable are usually fit for action. He was last seen cruising home by seven and a half lengths in a novices' handicap hurdle at Ascot back in December 2021. An absolute plethora of subsequent winners came out of that race. If he does need this comeback run, Iridescent could be the one to profit. He is in fine fettle after winning a staying handicap hurdle in Ballinrobe by five lengths. Fr Gilligansvoyge was very effective in a hunters' chase at Punchestown. Perhaps a return to this venue will spark Lighthouse Rose back to form. Tech Talk is another to weigh up.
Prediction : 1st Ardhill 2nd Iridescent 3rd Fr Gilligansvoyge

ABI'S CHAMP sets the standard with a close second on debut at Punchestown on New Year's Eve. She stayed on well without getting to grips with the winner, but was a whopping 15 lengths clear of the third home. Arabian Diamond is progressing with each run and got to within half a length of the winner, and odds-on favourite, in Kilbeggan. Mount Gallion made a pleasing track debut when third at this venue last month. He attracted support that day and could bank more prize money. Fathom Two has switched to Gavin Cromwell and is worth checking for market strength. The bumper that New Sheriff finished third in at Tramore over a year ago has been well franked. He does have to overcome that layoff, though.
Prediction : 1st Abis Champ 2nd Arabian Diamond 3rd Mount Gallion