UK Horse Racing Tips: Downpatrick

TOAD HALL has clearly had training issues but has nonetheless run two solid races in his career to date. He made a belated debut as a six-year-old when second in a Clonmel bumper and, while he was then absent for 690 days, chased home a subsequent Grade 3 winner at Punchestown last month. A reproduction of that form would see him difficult to beat and he readily holds Game On on that form, although that rival showed more at Thurles recently. Arabian Diamond will be suited by drying ground.
Prediction : 1st Toad Hall 2nd Arabian Diamond 3rd Game On

SESKIN FLASH ran well in a big-field Cork handicap in December and while a beaten favourite on his debut for new connections earlier this month, that was his first run for 91 days and he wasn't beaten too far. Cher Tara won at Down Royal recently and should again compete stepping up in distance. Kalsman has been raised 8lb for winning a course-and-distance handicap last June and is also noted.
Prediction : 1st Seskin Flash 2nd Cher Tara 3rd Kalsman

GAMIGIN returned to form earlier this month and will be suited by the drying ground. The selection is a five-time winner who landed a gamble at Kilbeggan last August and a reproduction of his latest Leopardstown run would give him every chance in this winnable race. Three-time winner Ciao Adios won at Cork 10 days ago but has been raised 10lb. A Mere Bagatelle is rated 111 over fences and was narrowly beaten at Limerick recently, but isn't ideally suited by dropping back in distance.
Prediction : 1st Gamigin 2nd Ciao Adios 3rd A Mere Bagatelle

OUT FOR A STROLL defeated a subsequent Grade 3 winner to score at Limerick at Christmas and chased home the Fred Winter fifth at Punchestown when last seen. Being Flat-bred, she should have more to offer on the drying ground and is a progressive four-year-old. An untidy final-flight jump probably cost Joyeuse Royale victory at Thurles recently and she should be suited by stepping up in distance on handicap debut. Magic Boum drops in grade having disappointed on two recent starts but notably defeated Grade 1-placed Eastern Legend to win in December.
Prediction : 1st Out For A Stroll 2nd Joueuse Royale 3rd Magic Boum

IRIS EMERY ran well in the Dublin National over this distance earlier this month and has obvious claims. Despite having won just once in her career, she wasn't beaten too far by some smart types this season and while she may not be far ahead of the handicapper, should nonetheless run a solid race. Final Orders ran well in a Listed race at Leopardstown recently and will relish drying ground. Dunboyne completes the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Iris Emery 2nd Final Orders 3rd Dunboyne

TRUE TESTIMONY drops in grade following useful efforts against capable mares in two runs this season. She showed nice ability in maiden hurdles last season and looks to have plenty in her favour. Debut point-to-point winner Heroes Rise has decent hurdles form and has to be noted. Ballysax Hank was probably unsuited by testing ground on his most recent starts, but has something to prove back on a sounder surface.
Prediction : 1st True Testimony 2nd Heroes Rise 3rd Ballysax Hank

CAUSE FOR COMMENT is a maiden point-to-pointer but has shown nice ability and is open to further progression in this sphere, being just a five-year-old. From a fine family, the selection wasn't beaten too far in a Galway Festival bumper last July and has since performed well in point-to-points for his new trainer. He made a bad mistake on his pointing debut before running quite well at Punchestown last month. Asphalt Cowboy is proven at this level, having finished second to a useful type in a similar race at Thurles last time, where Last Round finished third.
Prediction : 1st Cause For Comment 2nd Asphalt Cowboy 3rd Last Round