Downpatrick Racecourse: Preview and Tips for Monday’s Seven-Race Meeting
It’s Ladies Day today at Downpatrick Races and the sun is shining.
And we’re not too far away from the official winter National Hunt season now and a handful of the winter horses are beginning to re-emerge after the summer.
We have a seven-race meeting at Downpatrick this afternoon which brings us the usual competitive sport with three races over fences and four over hurdles.
Read on for a preview of and tips for the Downpatrick card from BetBrothers.
We begin with a maiden hurdle run over two and a quarter miles (14.12). Tullynakill is the sole newcomer here and looks fairly interesting, but there is enough good form on show here to side with a more experienced candidate. Mr Caulfield is a winning pointer who has made progress in maiden hurdles and could be ready to win now, but Fox Walk might have more improvement potential here.
Next is a handicap hurdle run over the same trip (14.47). Le Diablo is inconsistent but has offered some encouragement and might be able to win off today’s mark. Granlahan can be handy too and is also on an attractive mark now, but He Who Dares is the most consistently good in the field. He finds himself on a much higher mark today though, and might struggle.
Race three is a maiden hurdle run over two miles and six furlongs (15.22). Majestic Horizon was good in point-to-points and bumpers so makes plenty of appeal over hurdles for the first time today. There isn’t much in the way of good form on show elsewhere, so taking a chance on the inexperienced youngster might be the way forward.
The fourth race is a handicap hurdle over two miles and six furlongs (15.55). Down Around was a winner last time and looks fancied to back up the form here, but this new mark might be hard to win from. Seven Towers makes his handicap debut and could be well enough treated, stepping slightly up in trip again for Gavin Cromwell.
A beginners’ chase follows, run over two and a half miles (16.29). Killeemore Lad has made some good efforts over fences lately, having fallen on chase debut in July. Jabbar makes his first start over fences today but was the highest class in the field over hurdles, which could promise something. He is given a handy seven pounds by his rider too. Herja shouldn’t be underestimated, though.
Second to last is a two and a half mile handicap chase (17.04). Wing Back is out of form at the moment but may be more within his comfort zone here, while Full Noise is a course and distance winner who should be able to perform on today’s mark. He just might prefer softer ground. My Cullen wont mind the good ground and could have a chance here.
Last of all is a two and a quarter mile handicap chase (17.39). Righfolksplease seeks a hat-trick and looks to have little standing in his way here. Beggars Rock won well last time at Wexford and should get involved again, while Stuntman Steve ought to have a nice chance based on his recent hurdle run, but is less proficient over the larger obstacles.
Downpatrick selections – Monday:
14.12 – Fox Walk
14.47 – Le Diablo
15.22 – Majestic Horizon
15.55 – Seven Towers
16.29 – Herja
17.04 – My Cullen
17.39 – Rightfolksplease.
