UK Horse Racing Tips: Downpatrick

An each-way chance is taken on newcomer ME WEE BONNIE LASS. Gavin Cromwell's stable is firing in plenty of winners and this four-year-old filly is a half-sister to a very smart hunter chaser. Any market moves for her would be significant as the form of her rivals isn't insurmountable. Gordon Elliott runs two, with Jack Kennedy partnering Gaye Winnie. This Walk In The Park mare has finished sixth in a pair of big-field maidens at Punchestown and Fairyhouse. She is returning off a break at a track Elliott does ever so well at. Mote Park didn't cut much ice in two bumpers, but Willie Mullins sends her over hurdles on her return to action and she is likely to do much better. Spice Diva won a point-to-point in April and is another to consider on track debut.
Prediction : 1st Me Wee Bonnie Lass 2nd Gaye Winnie 3rd Mote Park

NOW IS THE HOUR has skipped recent engagements at Down Royal and Bellewstown, but remains of interest. He won his sole point-to-point by a whopping 30 lengths in January and has switched to Gavin Cromwell for his track career. The Folkes Tiara is proving expensive for punters having been a beaten favourite on his last four starts over hurdles. A third place in a Grade B handicap chase at Punchestown in April stands out, though, and there should be one of these in him. Gino Drummer Boy came from a long way back for a never-dangerous fourth in Kilbeggan. He is likely to be a contender. Irish Envoy and Colonel Bellew are in the mix for prize money.
Prediction : 1st Now Is The Hour 2nd The Folkes Tiara 3rd Gino Drummer Boy

C'EST QUELQU'UN can make an impact on his first start for Gordon Elliott. His form was hit-or-miss in Britain, but he was good enough to win a handicap hurdle and a handicap chase there. He doesn't look harshly treated on a mark of 92 for this contest and Elliott often does well with recruits from Britain. Sovereign Duke is back to the sort of trip he finished a close second over at Tipperary in May and should be involved. Clear The Clouds has been running over further but certainly has form which gives him a chance, while Ask The Leader has won three handicap hurdles at this track, which entitles her to respect.
Prediction : 1st CEst Quelquun 2nd Sovereign Duke 3rd Clear The Clouds

Perhaps a further step up in trip can see FOXFIRE GLOW make the breakthrough. The five-year-old was a beaten favourite in third on his last outing here, but that represented his best performance to date when upped in trip to an extended 2m2f. He now gets to tackle an extended 2m5f. There won't be any stamina issues for Scorsese, who makes his track debut after landing a point-to-point in March. Howaya C D And E has been placed five times over hurdles and is well in the hunt for more prize money. Another Nightmare and Kalko Blue could be best of the remainder.
Prediction : 1st Foxfire Glow 2nd Scorsese 3rd Howaya C D And E

A competitive rated novice hurdle. Gordon Elliott's GORTMILLISH had notable form behind very useful horses in a bumper and a maiden hurdle before hacking up by 12 lengths in a Perth maiden hurdle last month. He is taken to enjoy this step up in trip. Charlie Luciano isn't easily passed over. He has won his last three hurdle races, including on his penultimate start at this track. He was tough in winning at Bellewstown on Saturday and is definitely a player if fresh enough after that run. He is also tackling this trip for the first time. Elliott's Stuzzikini was beaten a fair way into second over an extended 3m at Kilbeggan and could appreciate this distance. Lady Of The Vale and Lisnamult Lad cannot be ruled out either.
Prediction : 1st Gortmillish 2nd Charlie Luciano 3rd Stuzzikini

NUTTORRIDGE made up plenty of ground in the latter stages over a similar trip at this track in June to finish fourth. He enjoys the undulations in Downpatrick, having won over hurdles and fences at this venue. His trainer Mark McNiff is beginning to hit form, with two winners in the last week. Winnie Woodnutt was a ready winner when last seen over hurdles at Kilbeggan in April. She has been performing very consistently for some time now. Ceanndana has been placed in three of his last six hurdle races, which gives him a shot. Cool Croi and Silverstrand represent powerful stables and will be eyeing a cheque.
Prediction : 1st Nuttorridge 2nd Winnie Woodnutt 3rd Ceanndana

AIR DROP was no match for a wide-margin winner of a bumper at this track last month, but could get her turn now. Her trainer Gordon Elliott has a good record in this race. New Sheriff and Fathom Two finished second and third respectively in another bumper at this track. They were both beaten fair distances, but New Sheriff was 14 lengths in front of Fathom Two. John McConnell's Ballerina Boxer attracted plenty of support for her first bumper in Thurles, but finished 10th. She is likely to do much better here. McConnell and Alex Harvey teamed up with a winner in Bellewstown on Saturday.
Prediction : 1st Air Drop 2nd New Sheriff 3rd Fathom Two