UK Horse Racing Tips: Downpatrick

HIGH COURT CAVE drops in distance, but has jumping experience and ran very well at the Galway Festival. A point-to-point and bumper winner, he has failed to get his head in front in four hurdle outings, but finished ahead of plenty of rivals at Ballybrit and should take the beating here. First Ascent is rated 77 on the level but while he has proven stamina from that discipline, he lacks jumping experience. Three-time Flat winner Sea Eagle should stay NH distances but also debuts over jumps, while October Hill has reasonable recent form.
Prediction : 1st High Court Cave 2nd First Ascent 3rd Sea Eagle

ARCLAND has won just twice, but has been in good form recently. Runner-up six times, including on four occasions this year, the nine-year-old would ideally prefer a stiffer test of stamina and was beaten seven lengths on his latest hurdles outing, but his rider's 7lb claim is a help. Three of Must Meet Cecil's five wins have come in claiming hurdles, but he has also competed well in handicaps recently and should get involved at the business end. Mic Drop met some trouble when finishing behind Must Meet Cecil at Kilbeggan earlier this month and will appreciate the slightly longer trip.
Prediction : 1st Arcland 2nd Must Meet Cecil 3rd Mic Drop

TIR OG has been progressive and can follow up last month's win. Just a four-year-old, she has found form this summer and although softening ground could be a concern, she can defy a 5lb rise for her Sligo success, which came over a similar distance. Silent Dawn is a 12-race maiden, but has been competing in similar handicaps. He was just denied over C&D last month and although raised 2lb, should again feature at the business end. Centaq's last four races have been at this course and having shown some improvement last month, has solid place claims.
Prediction : 1st Tir Og 2nd Silent Dawn 3rd Centaq

FACEMAN has been progressive this summer and could improve further stepping up to this slightly longer distance. Out of top racemare Solerina, he has been running consistently over middle-distances and while any softening of the ground could be a concern, he has more to offer. Dual Downpatrick winner Our Zebo registered his third success under Rules last month and although he competes from a career-high mark, should again make his presence felt. The four-year-old Penny Perfect won an ordinary maiden quite easily here last month and stays well.
Prediction : 1st Faceman 2nd Our Zebo 3rd Penny Perfect

PARKGARVE starts off over fences but ran well at this distance over hurdles here and, being a five-year-old, is open to more progression. His form is nothing special but he did bump into a gambled-on winner last month and is presented with a decent opportunity. Fellow chasing debutant Navy Guitar has been running quite well over timber and struck at Sligo in June, while Mickey Cohen is another who lacks chasing experience but receives a four-year-old's allowance.
Prediction : 1st Parkgarve 2nd Navy Guitar 3rd Mickey Cohen

BETTY DUTTON has won just once from 32 starts, but ran encouragingly on her initial chase attempts for the late Edward O'Grady this summer. While she has been frustrating to follow, she bumped into the capable Arctic Gale at Tipperary in July and could prove to be slightly better in this sphere than over hurdles. Solly Attwell has been raised 5lb following his defeat of Arctic Gale, who was conceding 15lb, at Galway (Tell Nobody Nothin finished fourth) and should figure. Tango Theatre gained a belated first racecourse win when making all over hurdles at Sligo, but has raced just twice over fences.
Prediction : 1st Betty Dutton 2nd Solly Attwell 3rd Tango Theatre

MOJA DAMA finished third in a decent bumper last month and can build on that effort to score. Willie Mullins' filly has a useful Flat pedigree and although beaten six lengths at Kilbeggan, the fourth scored subsequently. Minella Jury is a notable newcomer from a top academy. From a German family, his half-brother was second in a Group 1 and he is one to keep an eye on. Tropical Twist is from a useful family and represents a top yard, while Bells Grove showed ability at Sligo.
Prediction : 1st Moja Dama 2nd Minella Jury 3rd Tropical Twist