UK Horse Racing Tips: Downpatrick

Debut point-to-point winner BIG STAGE has shown useful form in two maiden hurdles. He is proven on testing ground, could be well suited by today's extra distance and contests a winnable maiden. Sea God himself won a UK point-to-point on debut at Charlton Horethorne in March 2023 before selling for 50,000 pounds. He easily beat one ordinary rival to win at Carlisle in December and while he is also quite useful, concedes an 8lb penalty to the race-fit selection. Rocco Boyo also returns from a break and while he, too, has some form, needs to improve to win.
Prediction : 1st Big Stage 2nd Sea God 3rd Rocco Boyo

DGALWAYGALLIVANTOR has been consistent in recent handicaps. Suited by heavy ground, he has course form and should cope with stepping up slightly in distance. Onlyamatteroftime drops markedly in grade having finished fifth to Champion Hurdle third Luccia in December and contested the Betfair Hurdle in February. At Ascot he hinted that this longer distance might suit but, worryingly, having misbehaved when running out on consecutive occasions last year. He has also yet to prove himself on heavy ground. Gamigin has recent form but would also prefer better ground. Point-to-point runner-up Doonbeg Don was beaten just 2.5 lengths by the progressive Carlas Big Jim last Christmas and might compete on handicap debut. Point winner See A Stride has been running ok and stays well. Robindevidastar disappointed in February and steps back up in trip.
Prediction : 1st Dgalwaygallivantor 2nd Onlyamatteroftime 3rd Gamigin

RED STRIKER ran well in a big-field Naas handicap on Thursday and competes from his same rating. His winning form is on good ground but has proven himself on heavy and is again ridden by his 5lb claimer. Luimneach beat Cheerful Chap to win at Limerick in November 2022 and while Luimneach is best watched following a long layoff, Cheerful Chap ran well on yard debut recently and should get involved. Starman likes heavy but isn't ahead of the handicapper, while capable Almuhit was reported to be coughing post-race at Leopardstown and ran ok at Musselburgh subsequently, but his best form is on a sounder surface. Point-to-point and bumper winner Hypersonic Missile should win from his rating of 100 but looks best watched on handicap debut, with summer handicaps lying in wait.
Prediction : 1st Red Striker 2nd Cheerful Chap 3rd Starman

TANKARDSTOWN DIVA showed improvement on handicap debut and seems progressive. She had finished fourth in a bumper prior to her maiden hurdle runs and while 5lb higher than at Down Royal, she finished well clear of the remainder and is proven on soft ground. Bonnie Kellie reverts to hurdles, rated 22lb lower than over fences. She is better at this distance than when falling at the last at Gowran last month and while attractively handicapped under a 5lb claimer, it is concerning she was defeated from 1lb higher in a Ballinrobe hurdle last April. Rebel Cowgirl also ran well on handicap debut at Down Royal and is similarly unexposed. Miss Vivacious is interesting on handicap debut, having run well when finishing 15 lengths last in a much stronger race at Navan and should compete from 92. Milanaway has been placed in two maiden hurdles and carries top weight on handicap debut, while Gaye Winnie returns from a winter break and would prefer better ground.
Prediction : 1st Tankardstown Diva 2nd Bonnie Kellie 3rd Rebel Cowgirl

Top-weight ASK ANYTHING ran well in a recent Listed staying chase and is a progressive six-year-old stayer. Rated just 116 over hurdles, he nonetheless finished second to 22lb well-in Harvard Guy in that sphere last November and having shown improved form when upped in distance over fences recently, could be suited by this extreme stamina test. The Flier Begley finished third in that Navan November race but pulled up recently, while The Gradual Slope finished third (also behind the selection) in the more recent Navan chase. The Abbey ran well on soft ground at Leopardstown in March but all his best form is on good ground, while Brampton Belle failed by 43 lengths to subsequent Irish National winner Intense Raffles in February. Fameaftertheglory follows the probably never trodden maiden hurdle-to-Ulster National path, while stablemate Routine Excellence ran well at Fairyhouse. Outside The Door is a dour stayer with recent form, while Fakiera is a 15-race maiden over fences but ran well in a recent Listed chase.
Prediction : 1st Ask Anything 2nd The Flier Begley 3rd The Gradual Slope

BLEU D'ENFER was leading and going well when falling three out at Down Royal last month and compensation may await the son of Turgeon on this occasion. A comfortable winner at Ayr over the smaller obstacles on his penultimate outing, Stuart Crawford's charge is clearly in rude health and he may have too much for chase debutant Fathom Two, who has not been in action since Cheltenham last November. Others to note include Champagne Mahler and Purse Price for leading connections.
Prediction : 1st Bleu Denfer 2nd Fathom Two 3rd Purse Price

Narrowly denied at Clonmel on his latest outing when staying on late for second, DROMLEIGH should be well suited by going back up in trip and this appeals as an ideal opportunity for him to get off the mark in this sphere. Neo King was no match for a talented sort of Emmet Mullins' at Down Royal and he is entitled to be thereabouts again, along with Bold Fury, who was a comfortable winner of a point-to-point last month.
Prediction : 1st Dromleigh 2nd Neo King 3rd Bold Fury