UK Horse Racing Tips: Downpatrick

Runner-up over C&D last time, the locally-trained SHE CAN DO IT can go one better. Having also taken a share of the prize money on her previous visit here, the Liam Lennon-trained filly clearly handles this unique venue. The four-year-old gets a nice weight allowance in this contest, with Alex Harvey able to claim an additional 7lb off her back. Born In Purple looks the obvious danger for Willie Mullins and Paul Townend. A Flat winner in her native France, the daughter of Born To Sea ran well on two previous starts over hurdles since arriving in this country. The John McConnell-trained Sharp Object is another to consider in what looks quite a competitive heat. Second at this track on her hurdling debut, the five-year-old is open to further improvement.
Prediction : 1st She Can Do It 2nd Born In Purple 3rd Sharp Object

The Gordon Elliott-trained four-year-old MORDOR should appreciate stepping up to this trip for the first time over hurdles. A consistent performer in stronger races over the winter, the gelding opened his account at Sligo last month. However, it was when following up back on the Flat over 1m6f at Killarney just over a week later that the Roaring Lion gelding indicated that he really enjoyed a stamina test. Staying on to finish second at Galway last time confirmed the suspicion that he now requires at least this far. Dollar Value, who ran a remarkable race when winning a Sligo claiming hurdle on Thursday, has to be a contender if getting away on terms. Semblance Of Order would be a serious danger to all if fit and ready for this first run since November.
Prediction : 1st Mordor 2nd Dollar Value 3rd Semblance Of Order

PETTIGO may appreciate dropping in trip and can gain a breakthrough victory. Mark McNiff's charge travelled best when runner-up over 2m5f at this track and had a couple of well-treated rivals ahead of her when fifth at Sligo last time. The daughter of Harzand has better prospects of getting up the hill here over this distance. Course winner Moneynabane has attracted market support when unplaced in both starts for his current yard. He also drops in distance and a prominent showing would not be a surprise. Chancer Dancer, who has new headgear fitted, was third to a well-handicapped rival over C&D in September and didn't shape badly on her first run of the year at Down Royal.
Prediction : 1st Pettigo 2nd Moneynabane 3rd Chancer Dancer

STEPS IN THE SAND is on a hat-trick after victories at Sligo and this track and her trainer is of the opinion that she can improve further for a step up in trip. That view will be put to the test here but she's a mare who is thriving at present and has certainly given the impression that this sort of distance will be within her compass. In-foal Hidden Land has plenty of weight but won well on the Flat at Galway and is a three-time course winner. Bella Bliss was fourth of 20 in a competitive handicap hurdle at Galway and has to enter calculations, along with Cork winner Cobra Queen and Wudya, who benefitted from the application of cheekpieces when landing a Killarney maiden.
Prediction : 1st Steps In The Sand 2nd Hidden Land 3rd Bella Bliss

STEP OUT has finished runner-up in all three completed starts over hurdles and is very familiar with this undulating circuit. Stuart Crawford's five-year-old was twice beaten by Gordon Elliott-trained rivals here in May and again emerged with credit when headed in the closing stages at Perth last month. He steps back up in trip and may be able to see off Elliott's representative The Mediator, who has plenty of hurdling experience and is likely to appreciate this test of stamina having performed well in a 2m Flat handicap at Galway. Eco Pete chased home a subsequent improver here in April, while his former stablemate Intense Approach was still in contention when coming down two out at Bellewstown.
Prediction : 1st Step Out 2nd The Mediator 3rd Intense Approach

PADDY ELVIS has been placed a couple of times over hurdles and appears to have found a good opportunity to open his account. The selection went close over C&D in May and looked set to score over 3m at Perth the following month when falling at the last. The lightly-raced Stumblin In has appreciated a step up in trip this summer and was placed on her first handicap over 3m at Wexford last month. The Pat Doyle-trained mare has scope for further improvement and rates a bigger threat than Dunleer Phoenix, who has been absent since disappointing at Listowel last autumn. Meadow Soprano enters calculations on her third here last month, while A Mere Bagatelle and Gustavo Goodway are others to note.
Prediction : 1st Paddy Elvis 2nd Stumblin In 3rd Meadow Soprano

FELIX SUMMUS represents powerful connections and is taken to overcome a lengthy absence. The Willie Mullins-trained gelding was sent off favourite on debut in a Killarney bumper over two years ago when runner-up to Lipa K and the majority of the 11 runners have won in the interim. Dramatic Licence made a pleasing start when third behind market principals Minella Hollow and Churchfield Sunset in a winners' bumper at Roscommon and looks the chief threat. Augusta George, Comeonarchie and Raby Mere have all indicated some ability, while Fortune The Brave and Hethinkshe'selvis are newcomers to note in the market.
Prediction : 1st Felix Summus 2nd Dramatic License 3rd Raby Mere