UK Horse Racing Tips: Downpatrick

CHARMING FORTUNE ran well for a long way before dropping to third on racecourse debut in a bumper at Navan. He is entitled to come on from that run as he was last seen in a point-to-point almost 10 months before that. Gavin Cromwell is firing in plenty of winners and this horse will know his job on his first go over hurdles. Yeats Star sets a fair standard as he has been placed in his last couple of maiden hurdles in September. He came in third over C&D and got close to the breakthrough when just beaten by a neck in Roscommon. Musta Lovea Lovea holds a rating of 111 and gets first-time blinkers. He could relish this company. Figurehead was a place behind Yeats Star in fourth at this venue.
Prediction : 1st Charming Fortune 2nd Yeats Star 3rd Musta Lovea Lovea

FATHOM TWO could be the sort to progress after winning over C&D last month. He showed a good attitude to pick up the leader inside the final furlong before going on by a length and three-quarters. He likes this northern venue as he was just pipped by a nose in a bumper here. New Year Honours was never a factor in a valuable handicap hurdle at Listowel, but should make her presence felt in first-time cheekpieces. Rockview Consort is in a consistent vein of form and landed a maiden hurdle at Tramore in August. Her form is on better ground, but she did finish fourth in a Flat maiden on slow ground at the Curragh approximately a year ago. Timourid was a comfortable winner of a maiden hurdle at Roscommon in July and is nicely in at the weights given his rating and his jockey's claim, however, there are ground concerns for him.
Prediction : 1st Fathom Two 2nd New Year Honours 3rd Rockview Consort

Mark McNiff's FASSBENDER loves racing in Downpatrick and won this race a couple of years ago. Philip Byrnes' 5lb claim could see him post his third victory at this track. He has been placed on his last two outings here and Byrnes looks good value for his claim in riding for the most part for his father Charles Byrnes. In For The Night stepped up on previous efforts when a close second in Navan. He stayed on well up the stiff hill which bodes well for this longer trip. Always Force It was a never nearer fifth in the same Navan race and is likely to improve upon that finish. Philip Rothwell is having an excellent season and his Cullenwaine should be in the mix for prize money while Skip Mahler performed creditably in third at Sligo in August, but would prefer 'good' in the going description.
Prediction : 1st Fassbender 2nd In For The Night 3rd Always Force It

Former point-to-point winner KANSAS CITY STAR should relish a step up in trip on his return to action. He finished runner-up in a pair of maiden hurdles over an extended 2m4f at Tipperary and Perth in April and May respectively, and will enjoy this ground. Kalanisi Flash has two point-to-point victories in his locker and is another up in trip on the racecourse. He would prefer better ground in all likelihood, but has his chance. Perhaps this trip will see Nt Field Minnesota in a better light as she disappointed when a beaten favourite in fifth over an extended 2m1f at this track last month. She is another point-to-point winner. Rowdy Romeo is returning from an absence, but isn't out of it for local trainer Caroline McCaldin.
Prediction : 1st Kansas City Star 2nd Kalanisi Flash 3rd Nt Field Minnesota

MR SOCIAL could get another turn. He made the breakthrough at Tramore in August and has been placed in subsequent races in Killarney and Listowel. That form reads well in the context of this weak race. Signora Di Milano came home second and fourth over shorter trips on her last two visits to Downpatrick. Perhaps three miles was too far for her when unplaced in Listowel, so this distance could be more to her liking. Across The Ocean kept on for a moderate fourth over an extended 2m1f here last month and could get closer over this staying trip.
Prediction : 1st Mr Social 2nd Signora Di Milano 3rd Across The Ocean

SILVER KING is of interest on chasing debut. He has shown ability when placed in two bumpers and a pair of maiden hurdles. Trip and ground should be fine for him. Noel Kelly has certainly been among the winners recently and there is a race over fences in his Gladiatorial who has won twice over hurdles. Walk In The Park mare Jenny Flex has come home runner-up in a couple of beginners' chases at this venue and in Sligo. That experience will stand to her and she has stronger claims than most. Howaya C D And E won her bumper in Downpatrick and gets blinkers on her third crack at fences.
Prediction : 1st Silver King 2nd Gladiatorial 3rd Jenny Flex

SHANTOU SISU was left in the lead to win by a wide margin at Sligo and has prospects of going in again. He has extensive experience over fences and jockey Danny Mullins has the option of racing him prominently to make this a jumping test. The pair won over fences at this track in August last year. Cathys Quest really found her stride when slamming her rivals by 15 lengths in a handicap hurdle at Kilbeggan last month. If she is in the same mood on her chasing debut, she would hold every chance in this basement-grade handicap. Movie King kept on for third over flights on yielding ground in Navan last month. He is on a handy mark over fences, but wouldn't want the ground to be testing.
Prediction : 1st Shantou Sisu 2nd Cathys Quest 3rd Movie King