UK Horse Racing Tips: Downpatrick

LILAC LADY can improve from her one-length defeat around Sligo. Purchased for 3,000 euros at the Goffs Autumn HIT Sale, Mark McNiff's challenger improved from her stable debut to finish third. The forward-going daughter of Churchill can progress once more and should be on the premises. The standout piece of form in the race comes from Gordon Elliot's charge Two Become One, who finished a close second to the now 135-rated Win Some Lose Some in May 2024. However, on her return from a year off, she was a big drifter in the market beforehand and ran accordingly. Although she should improve, market signals will dictate the strength of her claims. Winning pointer Kilmore Coral, along with newcomer Chicago Calling, may also have a part to play.
Prediction : 1st Lilac Lady 2nd Two Become One 3rd Kilmore Coral

Runner-up on his last start at this track, FULL CONFESSION can go one better with natural progression. The Willie Mullins-trained son of Kingston Hill fetched 60,000 euros after scoring in a Dromahane point-to-point. He went on to win a Fairyhouse bumper over 2m, which shows he has the gears for this trip, and he was a good second over 2m6f last time. The other recent runner-up in the field, Power Of Words, would have every chance in a first-time hood under Jack Kennedy as long he settles because he raced keenly on his last start. In receipt of 12lb, he can push the selection all the way to the line in a contest which looks to be between the two. Front Door Famous is the pick of the remainder.
Prediction : 1st Full Confession 2nd Power Of Words 3rd Front Door Famous

C&D second AR NOS NA GAOITHE lost out to a very well-handicapped rival who has since gone on to win a Newcastle Flat handicap. Philip Rothwell's contender received a 2lb rise and is now 13lb above her sole winning mark, although Tiernan Power Roche's claim is a big help. Fire Coral is bound to have every chance, especially if reproducing the form of her last run here. Now on stable debut for Sam Curling, she has been dropped 6lb, leaving her on a very enticing mark. On the pick of Hidalgo Des Mottes' form, he should be competitive and made a good reappearance when third at Cork, although he has failed to build on it. Centaq and Firstupbestdressed are making their second starts in handicaps, making any market moves interesting.
Prediction : 1st Ar Nos Na Gaoithe 2nd Fire Coral 3rd Firstupbestdressed

This would appear a clear opportunity for the 107-rated JAZZ DE COTTE to open his account over hurdles. The Gordon Elliott-trained six-year-old was a staying-on second around this track on his penultimate start and with a reproduction of that showing, he would certainly have a favourite's chance, even though he blew out last time. Jackson Lamb showed his liking for this venue when winning a bumper with strong market support behind him last year. His jumping would need to hold up, but he looks an obvious contender to finish in the frame. Neil McKnight saddled the winner of a maiden hurdle on this card last year and his Chisum should improve from his debut during the spring.
Prediction : 1st Jazz De Cotte 2nd Jackson Lamb 3rd Chisum

Despite his lack of a previous run this year, LAKEFIELD FLYER looks the safest option. The Shark Hanlon-trained gelding has run well fresh in the past, so the fact that the seven-year-old has been off since October is less of a concern than usual. A C&D winner, he is lightly raced over fences having had just the three starts. With his stable among the winners on Friday, there are plenty of positives. The locally-trained Gorthill is interesting now returning to handicap company. Runner-up here in a hunter chase in May, the nine-year-old is sure to be involved. Purse Price shouldn't be discounted on her debut for Ross O'Sullivan.
Prediction : 1st Lakefield Flyer 2nd Gorthill 3rd Purse Price

Narrowly denied on her second chasing start at Tipperary recently, BETTY DUTTON can go one better. A 100-rated mare over hurdles, the Edward O'Grady-trained seven-year-old has a class edge over a number of these rivals. With Darragh O'Keeffe a notable booking, she has bright prospects of registering a first career win over fences. Point-to-point winner Je Suis shaped encouragingly when mid-division on her chasing debut at Tipperary earlier this month. Entitled to improve from that, the Sam Curling-trained mare enters calculations. Karloss should be sharper having run well on his return from a long absence when fourth over hurdles at Clonmel in May.
Prediction : 1st Betty Dutton 2nd Je Suis 3rd Karloss

A dual winner over hurdles since obtaining his mark in this discipline, OUR ZEBO now looks very well handicapped. Following a breakthrough success at Tramore in April, the grey doubled up when easily winning at this track on his next start. Having won a point-to-point, the Noel Kelly-trained six-year-old appears to have no issues in the jumping department. From a rating 22lb lower than over flights, a clear round should be enough to see him home in front. A course winner over hurdles, Jimli's Cave finished third in a handicap chase here on his penultimate start. He should be involved for local connections. Mrs Biddle has each-way claims at the very least.
Prediction : 1st Our Zebo 2nd Jimlis Cave 3rd Mrs Biddle