UK Horse Racing Tips: Downpatrick

ROC DINO has his sights lowered after finishing mid-division in the Martin Pipe at the Cheltenham Festival. The Doctor Dino gelding had previously chased home the classy El Cairos at Thurles in late January and should be up to collecting a maiden of this standard. Gordon Elliott saddles two, with Speculateur looking like the obvious danger. The five-year-old is becoming a touch frustrating, though, after five placed efforts over timber. His stable companion Loch Cuan was beaten a long way when second on his hurdling debut at Navan, but could improve.
Prediction : 1st Roc Dino 2nd Speculateur 3rd Loch Cuan

C&D winner KALSMAN may be able to follow up on his success at Down Royal last month. Liam Lennon's charge was a good winner on his second outing of the season and a 6lb rise for that doesn't look harsh. He may be able to confirm form with the runner-up Justicialism, who has lost out in a tight finish back at the same course since and could play a big part again on the revised terms. King Gris folded tamely enough at Down Royal last month, but may improve a bit from that run and is another to consider.
Prediction : 1st Kalsman 2nd Justicialism 3rd King Gris

ENDLESS TALKING can make it third-time lucky over timber after two solid runs. The Affinisea gelding was third in a decent event at Kilbeggan a fortnight ago and a similar effort may be enough to get his head in front this time. Flying Ace shaped with promise on his 'track' debut when fourth in a hot Navan bumper in March. He has jumping experience from a point-to-point run and could prove the danger. Rare Times was sent off favourite for an academy hurdle when last seen in November, after a promising debut run at Cork. She's another who has to be on the shortlist here, back on better ground.
Prediction : 1st Endless Talking 2nd Flying Ace 3rd Rare Times

Not a lot of strong recent form to go on and SEA OF DOUBT, who has run well here a couple of times in the past, may prove the pick on her return to action. The Affinisea mare was runner-up in the preceding race on this card last year and was also fourth over fences here in September. She looks up to scoring off her current mark. A Snow White Park ran well over fences at Tramore, despite some errors, and could be a danger now back over the smaller obstacles. Katie's Casper, who was placed in a bumper here, is lowly rated on her handicap debut and is another to note.
Prediction : 1st Sea Of Doubt 2nd A Snow White Park 3rd Katies Casper

Connections go straight into handicap company with STRUCK OIL on his chase debut and he can land a moderate looking affair. He chased home Bella Union over timber at Bellewstown and that form looks good with the winner following up at Down Royal recently. Katzoff was also runner-up over hurdles last time, behind easy winner Le Diablo at Clonmel. That was an improvement on his form in recent seasons and he remains lowly rated so could prove a danger now back over fences. Just For Yuse reverts to jumps after a spin on the Flat at Sligo. He's capable of reaching the frame in this company.
Prediction : 1st Struck Oil 2nd Katzoff 3rd Just For Yuse

MY GOOD PAL looks worth another shot at this kind of trip. The Mount Nelson gelding kept on one-paced when fifth to Butty O Brien at Wexford and steps up half a mile now. He has been slipping a few pounds and should be competitive here off 86. Mastermind was recording his first win in over eight years when scoring at Down Royal last month. He renews rivalry with Hardy Diamond, who chased him home that day, and there shouldn't be much between them at the revised weights. Gordon Elliott's top-weight was well held when third at Down Royal just four days ago, when a bad mistake five out didn't help his chances.
Prediction : 1st My Good Pal 2nd Mastermind 3rd Hardy Diamond

It would be no surprise if CULLDOO was good enough to make a winning start for Willie Mullins. The Doctor Dino filly is out of a half-sister to Precious Metal, a Listed bumper winner for Henrietta Knight. Kisuton Enki may be the pick of those with form. Gordon Elliott's mare was runner-up in a Limerick maiden hurdle last month, chasing home the 112-rated Fly Away Home. Jo's Secret has some solid placed form, including when third at Fairyhouse early last month, and has to come into calculations.
Prediction : 1st Culldoo 2nd Kisuton Enki 3rd Jos Secret