UK Horse Racing Tips: Downpatrick

BOSTON BEACH displayed improvement last month and is less exposed than his main rivals. Out of a Listed-placed dam, he was beaten long distances on his initial two hurdle runs, but showed more last time. In The Trenches can run well but has been a beaten favourite on his last four starts and was soundly beaten at Roscommon recently. Impero achieved a Flat rating of 84 last year and ran well on handicap hurdle debut at Listowel last month.
Prediction : 1st Boston Beach 2nd In The Trenches 3rd Impero

HEY SUNSHINE carries topweight but won well on her recent hurdles debut. While the form of that Kilbeggan win is not outstanding, she won readily and should be competitive from her initial handicap rating. Tell Nobody Nothin won over C&D last month but faces a slightly stiffer task now. Disco Dancer holds Tell Me This on their prior meeting at this course over a similar distance in June, although each appears to be in the handicapper's grip.
Prediction : 1st Hey Sunshine 2nd Tell Nobody Nothin 3rd Disco Dancer

Hat-trick chasing PORTACOO has shown much improved form in recent months and can defy his latest 9lb penalty. He showed promise on debut for his current trainer at Sligo in August and having won twice at today's course since, is clearly well suited by a sound surface and these surroundings. English runner Three Platoon has won his last two Flat starts and while he returns to hurdling with a lowly rating of 90, hasn't run in a National Hunt race since a failed steeplechase attempt in September 2023. Sandyman has been running satisfactorily enough recently while 48-race maiden Breagagh was narrowly touched off at Wexford in May and should improve following a recent Flat run.
Prediction : 1st Portnacoo 2nd Three Platoon 3rd Sandyman

Gigginstown haven't enjoyed any luck with their very recent maiden hurdlers but PRENDS GARDE A TOI might rectify than, in a weak race. Point-to-point-placed before selling for E155,000, he chased home a subsequent triple bumper winner in November and again ran well in a St Stephen's Day bumper, when last seen. He should improve from today's run but nonetheless won't need to be at his best to win. English runner My Friend Yeats ran well at Cartmel in July, when conceding 7lb to the currently 110-rated winner but disappointed at Sedgefield 10 days ago. Well-bred Marie's March represents Willie Mullins but showed previous little at Kilbeggan while Augusta George won an ordinary August course bumper but disappointed recently.
Prediction : 1st Prends Garde A Toi 2nd My Friend Yeats 3rd Maries March

MRS BIDDLE is an 11-race maiden but has been running well in handicaps recently and should again compete from her rating. She finished second over today's course-and-distance in July – when beating Georgia Celena and Cullenwaine into fourth and fifth respectively, and again showed nice ability in finishing third at Tramore last month. Cullenwaine was himself a C&D winner in June and while he has disappointed over fences recently, reverts to hurdling wearing first-time blinkers, which could help. Dual course winner Fassbender hasn't scored since July 2022 but ran well at Roscommon 11 days ago while You Some Girl has been running satisfactorily in similar British races and has a light weight.
Prediction : 1st Mrs Biddle 2nd Cullenwaine 3rd Fassbender

RED BALL OF FIRE hasn't won since July 2023 but has been running well and is ideally suited by race conditions. A Sligo regular, she now drops in class having run well in two recent chases and - notably, possesses the top allowed hurdles' rating of 109 while her 7lb mares' allowance is allied to her rider's 5lb claim. Kilbeggan maiden hurdle winner Hardy Diamomd also has a mares' allowance and having run reasonably well over hurdles at Gowran last week, should compete on chase debut, as she has prior point-to-point experience. Mister Wilson is flattered by his 116 chase rating and was soundly beaten in a recent claiming hurdle. English runner Boomslang has recent form but debuts over fences.
Prediction : 1st Red Ball Of Fire 2nd Hardy Diamond 3rd Mister Wilson

GREENWAY MACHINE continues to defy his 12 years with consistently useful performances and might follow up last year's success in this race. Ideally suited by conditions, he has recently run well in his two Tramore handicap chases and having finished ahead of today's rivals Ocodango Boy (which finished fourth), Rudy Catrail (sixth) in September, is today reunited with a 7lb claimer who lightens his load. Ocodango Boy was himself an unlucky course-and-distance loser in June when exiting at the second-last fence and while he has been slightly frustrating, is nonetheless dependable in the grade. Edgewell represents the English-based race sponsors and while his recent form is uninspiring, he steps up to his longest-distance race to date, which could help.
Prediction : 1st Greenway Machine 2nd Ocodango Boy 3rd Edgewell