UK Horse Racing Tips: Downpatrick

HEY WHATEVER was placed a number of times on the Flat for Noel Meade gaining a rating in the mid 70s and may have found winter ground too testing when switched to hurdles by current connections. The selection seemed to appreciate a sounder surface at Cork last time and was still in contention when falling at the last. Hopefully she's none the worse for that tumble and gets the vote over Coole Cherry who was frustrating to follow in bumpers filling the runner-up spot four times. She weakened in the closing stages in a three-mile maiden hurdle at Wexford and now reappears after a ten-month break. Give Her Hollie is a newcomer to note in the market.
Prediction : 1st Hey Whatever 2nd Coole Cherry 3rd Give Her Hollie

Shinnhill showed some promise behind Le Coq Hardi at Down Royal, but a chance is taken with MARCHER LORD. Lightly raced since winning a Navan maiden on debut for Willie McCreery, it would be no surprise to see him be highly competitive following a lengthy lay-off. Bodybuilder won a point-to-point in the UK but was soundly beaten behind the impressive Belloccio in a Punchestown maiden hurdle with Mortimer Duke further behind.
Prediction : 1st Marcher Lord 2nd Shinnhill 3rd Bodybuilder

STEPS IN THE SAND and Rightfolksplease come here with a similar profile having both filled the runner-up spot twice before scoring last time. The Cian Collins-trained mare, twice successful on the Flat, opened her account over hurdles when stepped up to 2m4f at Sligo last time while Rightfolksplease merits plenty of respect after getting off the mark over C&D last month. Tipp For Mac is another in good form at present having beaten all bar the progressive Slieve Bearnagh at Cork earlier this month, while Muhtaluza is another to consider if brushing up his jumping.
Prediction : 1st Steps In The Sand 2nd Tipp For Mac 3rd Rightfolksplease

BEAUFORT SCALE showed some promise in bumpers and made a bright start over hurdles at Cork recently when second to Now So Jake in a three-mile maiden. The Sholokhov gelding stays well and has scope for further improvement. River Tara is an obvious threat having won a bumper in good style here last summer and was placed on both subsequent hurdle starts last year including when second to Tag Man at Listowel. Charlie's Dilemma and Ollie La Ba Ba filled the minor places behind Talk In The Park over C&D last month and Eoin McCarthy's gelding now looks the bigger danger having been hampered in the closing stages. Midleton Rare won a Fairyhouse bumper in good style last autumn but needs to improve on his reappearance over hurdles at Punchestown.
Prediction : 1st Beaufort Scale 2nd River Tara 3rd Ollie La Ba Ba

RAUZAN struck form when successful over this trip at Tramore and followed up in even more impressive fashion when drawing clear on the run-in at this venue last month. The Eoin Doyle-trained gelding looks a progressive sort and can complete the hat-trick in what should be a strongly run event. Littlebiggie made all over this distance at Killarney, while Disco Dancer won at Cork last time and also likes to be up with the pace. Point-to-point winner Koori Star made a winning start under Rules at Sligo, while Notkeepinyagoing impressed when easily winning a 2m4f Leopardstown maiden on testing ground in March but has disappointed on both outings since.
Prediction : 1st Rauzan 2nd Disco Dancer 3rd Littlebiggie

WARMER DAYS AHEAD hasn't been beaten far in his last two starts at Punchestown and may get his turn here under Phillip Enright. The Waldpark gelding found only one too good over 2m4f in May and dropping in trip probably counted against him when third last time. Going back up a couple of furlongs should bring the five-year-old's stamina into play. Stockdale hasn't been able to add to a solitary win gained over three years ago but she's been second at this track over both hurdles and fences in recent starts and is now fitted with a tongue-tie. Cullenwaine was strong at the finish when winning over course and distance last month and merits respect off a 6lb higher mark.
Prediction : 1st Warmer Days Ahead 2nd Stockdale 3rd Cullenwaine

It's hard to oppose the Willie Mullins-trained CUCKOO VALLEY, who went down by only a neck when odds-on for his debut at Clonmel in May. The winner has shown the form in a favourable light with a couple of good runs on the Flat lately and the half-brother to a Grade 2-winning hurdler can improve for stepping up in trip here. Eoin's Charm is clearly the danger after showing promise over hurdles before finishing second in a bumper at Kilbeggan. He was tapped for toe on that occasion and is another who will appreciate this greater test of stamina. The Crawford's have plenty of bumper winners and any market support for their newcomer Royal Attitude would be significant.
Prediction : 1st Cuckoo Valley 2nd Eoins Charm 3rd Royal Attitude