UK Horse Racing Tips: Downpatrick

HE CAN'T DANCE should prove hard to beat here. The Gigginstown gelding has been placed in all five outings over timber, including in handicap company at the Dublin Racing Festival last time. Josh Williamson takes a valuable 5lb off his back, offsetting some of his winners' penalty, and blinkers are applied in an attempt to get him across the line. Gordon Elliott also runs Gunnery Sergeant. He was second in an 'unplaced' maiden hurdle last time and that form doesn't look as strong. A bigger danger may be the Willie Mullins-trained newcomer Robertjames. The Saint Des Saints gelding is a half-brother to a Listed hurdle winner in France.
Prediction : 1st He Cant Dance 2nd Robertjames 3rd Gunnery Sergeant

LET'S GO MANS remains unexposed and can follow up on his win at Naas early this month. The Cokoriko gelding prevailed in a tight three-way finish and the form looks solid with the other two involved at the business end placed again since. There should be more to come from Gavin Cromwell's charge. The trainer has another contender in Deanery Charlie, who ran a solid race when fourth at Punchestown on his last outing. The Walk In The Park gelding steps up in trip now. Coppola ran well on her first outing for Gordon Elliott when second at Down Royal and is another that has to be on the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Lets Go Mans 2nd Coppola 3rd Deanery Charlie

DAIRY FORCE may have gotten bogged down in very testing conditions on his first outing for Gordon Elliott and is worth another shot. He was well backed at Fairyhouse but flattened out going to the second last, where a mistake didn't help. His sole win came on good ground and while there is going to be a cut in it now it's not going to be as deep as last time. Coolboy Christy ran a solid race when fourth at Leopardstown earlier in the month and looks like a leading contender, despite a 3lb rise for that effort. Top-weight Splashing Out has disappointed over fences recently and a switch of tack here might see him play more of a role down in grade.
Prediction : 1st Dairy Force 2nd Coolboy Christy 3rd Splashing Out

LOUGH NIGARA has progressed really well recently and might defy top weight. Although he can often give trouble at the start, the selection is ideally suited by testing ground and staying distances. Despite racing from a career-high mark, the nine-year-old holds John Storey, Bergamasquo and Take Stock on encounters this season. Kanog Bay had been progressive prior to pulling up at Thurles last month, where he showed signs of delayed recovery post race, and is now tried in a first-time tongue-tie. Themanintheboots was well held in a recent claimer but had scored at Navan last November.
Prediction : 1st Lough Nigara 2nd Kanog Bay 3rd Themanintheboots

UNCLE PAT hasn't won since landing his maiden hurdle in September 2024 but ran well in the valuable Grand National Trial last month. A ground-versatile stayer, the selection was raised 2lb following his Punchestown run but a reproduction would see him involved at the business end. Jack Kennedy rides St Denis's Well, who bumped into a well-in rival over hurdles at Navan last month and stays well, while Slanagaibhgoleir tries this staying distance for the first time over fences and ran well last time.
Prediction : 1st Uncle Pat 2nd St Deniss Well 3rd Slanagaibhgoleir

DEE'S LADY debuts over fences but scored over hurdles last time and is helped by receiving a 7lb mares' allowance in this restricted contest. From a fine French family and out of a half-sister to high-class Madison Du Berlais, the selection was a 150,000-euro purchase as a three-year-old and, having generally shown useful form, can build on her recent Leopardstown success, especially with conditions in her favour. Strutter was too fresh and keen on his recent reappearance run but it is encouraging Paul Townend takes the ride on him. Race-fit Karafon is rated 120 and is expected to be in the mix.
Prediction : 1st Dees Lady 2nd Strutter 3rd Karafon

MAGIC SADLER is a nine-time point-to-point winner who has good recent form. He has contested just four previous hunter chases, finishing second twice and also unseating rider at Thurles in January but should take all the beating being a dependable performer. Cause For Comment has finished second in both his hunter chase appearances and while he won a recent maiden point-to-point, lacks the selection's experience. West Of Idaho steps up in grade having won twice between the flags recently and can enter the reckoning.
Prediction : 1st Magic Sadler 2nd Cause For Comment 3rd West Of Idaho