UK Horse Racing Tips: Downpatrick

SIGNORA DI MILANO can open her account on her second start for the Gordon Elliott yard. The five-year-old showed significant improvement on her initial run for the trainer earlier this month when runner-up to a strongly fancied stablemate at this track. Given the way she saw out the race on that occasion, it would be no surprise to see the Milan mare go one better now. Zaghraf shaped well on his hurdling debut at Naas back in March but has since switched trainers and was well beaten on his only subsequent run over flights. A reproduction of that earlier effort would be good enough to see the four-year-old get involved. The well-bred Fortuna Favente was sent off favourite on her racecourse debut here earlier in the month. Although well behind Signora Di Milano then, the Barry Connell-trained mare is almost certainly capable of better.
Prediction : 1st Signora Di Milano 2nd Zaghraf 3rd Fortuna Favente

GWAN TADGH should be difficult to beat as he bids to follow up a recent course and distance success. The Edward O'Grady-trained six-year-old travelled noticeably easily throughout that contest, looking a winner at every stage. Although subsequently handed a 7lb rise, his proven ability to act on this unique track is a big positive. Blackberry Jack arrives here in better form than most having filled the runner-up spot at Kilbeggan on his most recent outing. Trainer Denis Leahy, who makes the long trip up from County Cork with the six-year-old, will be hoping to return home with the main prize. Charle Bruno, who shaped encouragingly on his first start back with former connections last time, is another who can get competitive.
Prediction : 1st Gwan Tadhg 2nd Blackberry Jack 3rd Charle Brune

REVEREND HUBERT can get off the mark over flights on just his third start for the Charles Byrnes yard. A smart handicapper on the level when trained in Britain, the five-year-old made a promising Irish debut when runner-up at Roscommon at the beginning of this month. Although unable to improve on that form when only third at Tramore last time, he may not have appreciated the tight track. With more of an emphasis on stamina here, his staying prowess should come to the fore. Marv Michael was a beaten favourite at Down Royal last time, only getting run out of it close home. The Henry De Bromhead-trained gelding receives a valuable 8lb from Reverend Hubert. Ringdufferin, who has an official rating of 106 over hurdles, should also be capable of playing a role in the finish.
Prediction : 1st Reverend Hubert 2nd Marv Michael 3rd Ringdufferin

GLENDARS MAHLER is an intriguing runner on her return to a track where she shaped well previously. The seven-year-old looked as though she would have won her maiden at this course on her hurdling debut last June only to come to grief when travelling easily two out. On her only subsequent visit, the James Fahey-trained mare finished third here earlier in the summer. Having won for the first time in her career at Sligo recently, the Frank Reynolds-owned runner holds strong claims. Trainer Noel Kelly always has to be respected at this track and Gladiatorial is one that could outrun his odds. The dual winner has run some of his better races at this venue, including a course and distance success. The Grey Monty, runner-up here earlier this month, should improve enough to be a leading contender.
Prediction : 1st Glendars Mahler 2nd Gladiatorial 3rd The Grey Monty

GRAND ROI will need to improve on his two most recent starts over fences but the Gordon Elliott-trained gelding should find this easier than recent tasks. A runner-up at Listowel on his chasing debut last September, the seven-year-old has subsequently failed to complete in two further runs over fences. However, there was sufficient promise in his most recent starts back hurdling to suggest he retains enough ability to win a race of this nature. Point-to-point winner Rexam shaped well on his recent chasing debut at Wexford so has to have a solid chance at a track where he has tasted success over hurdles. Grozni was well supported at Tramore recently but could manage no better than third. Connections clearly feel that he is good enough to win a similar race.
Prediction : 1st Grand Roi 2nd Rexem 3rd Grozni

I AM SPIDERMAN failed to complete on his first two starts for new connections but showed what he is capable of when runner-up at Tramore last time. Surely it is significant that Charles Byrnes wastes no time in sending the six-year-old straight over fences on the back of that run. Off a similar mark here, the Walk In The Park gelding must enter calculations. Lesssaidthebetter may be able to overturn recent Tramore running with Brehon Star on these revised terms. The Philip Rothwell-trained nine-year-old also wears blinkers for the first time so that aid may also help. The aforementioned Brehon Star was making his debut for trainer Ian Donoghue when successful at Tramore, so may well have further improvement in him on just his second start for the stable.
Prediction : 1st I Am Spider Man 2nd Lesssaidthebetter 3rd Brehon Star

The Paul Flynn-trained GOLDEN SANDBANKS has every chance of following up his recent hurdles win at Sligo. Although rated slightly higher back over fences, the six-year-old arrives here at the top of his game and gets on particularly well with jockey Sean Flanagan. In a race lacking any real strength in depth, the gelding can double up. Flaming Moon was well beaten at Tramore on his second start over fences but could be a different proposition now entering handicap company for the first time. The Matthew Smith-trained gelding is rated 6lb lower at this discipline, so if he can adapt then he will go very close. Clonbury Bridge cannot be ruled out returning to the scene of his only career win over fences. A recent run over flights at Galway should have brought him on.
Prediction : 1st Golden Sandbanks 2nd Flaming Moon 3rd Clonbury Bridge