Downpatrick racing: preview and tips for Sunday’s Ulster National card
One of the highlights of the Northern Ireland racing calendar arrives this Sunday at Downpatrick as the track plays host to the Ulster National.
The feature race at 4.23 on Sunday is one race on a competitive seven race card at the track, which gets underway at 2.03 and rounds off at 5.30.
Up first is the 2m6f maiden hurdle which, as it stands, has attracted a full field of 16 runners. Powerhouse trainer Willie Mullins has Onlyamatteroftime entered, who finished well down the field in the Betfair Hurdle when last seen and also holds an entry for the second race on the card at Downpatrick.
Another high-profile trainer in Gordon Elliott has a hand with Find A Fortune, who has placed three times in last five runs, including a third at Limerick on his prior run and is of note, as is the Gavin Cromwell-trained Fameaftertheglory.
A second in a Punchestown cross-country chase who heads over hurdles here.
Race two on the card (2.38) is a handicap hurdle over the same trip as race one.
Trainer Mullins will be expecting and hoping for improvement from Surf Club, a moderate third on his last run at Limerick while Elliott could have as many as four runners in the race.
The pick of them is likely to be Kelly’s Birr, a course and distance winner at Downpatrick when last seen on the track just under a year ago so has an absence to overcome here.
The third race of the afternoon (3.13) could see a field of 15 tackle the 2m1f handicap hurdle for horses rated between 80 and 116.
Not many of the intended runners here have strong form heading into the race.
Perhaps the best of the bunch is the Phillip Rothwell-trained Cheerful Chap, who was a 33/1 second at Cork on his last outing.
A maximum field of 20 could head to post for race four (3.48), the mares’ handicap hurdle over the 2m6f distance.
Tankardstown Diva could line up fresh off the back of a second place finish at Down Royal on March 17 for trainer Ian Donoghue, while another second place finisher on that card, Mark Cahill’s Rebel Cowgirl, is of interest too.
After that is the big race of the day – the Ulster National (4.23) – won last year by trainer Cromwell with Mallina Girl and he is back for another crack at this year’s renewal with Ask Anything, a Down Royal winner two runs back who followed up with a second in a class one handicap chase at Navan. Routine Excellence also heads to the track for the trainer, aiming to go a couple of places better after a third in a handicap chase at Fairyhouse on March 30.
Outside The Door for Padraig Roche is one to note as well, a held second in a Leopardstown handicap chase, while Irish Grand National winning trainer Tom Gibney aims for a second National success in a week when sending Regina Dracones to Downpatrick.
The penultimate race of the afternoon is a beginners chase at 4.58 and it should go the way of the consistent Ballyglass Beauty for trainer Liam Cusack, who kept on well to finish third at Gowran Park on their last run.
And while the card comes to a close at 5.30 with the maiden hunters chase and the selection here is for the Caroline McCaldin-trained Neo King, second in a hunters chase at Down Royal on debut.
However, Mark Michael McNiff could also have a strong chance with Big Girl Betty, a course and distance second when last seen.
Downpatrick selections – Sunday (via horse racing betting)
2.03 – Find A Fortune
2.38 – Kelly’s Birr
3.13 – Cheerful Chap
3.48 – Tankardstown Diva
4.23 – Routine Excellence
4.58 – Ballyglass Beauty
5.30 – Neo King.
Credit: horse racing betting
