Downpatrick Racecourse: Preview and Tips for Friday’s Seven-Race Card
Racing returns to Downpatrick Racecourse on Friday afternoon for a seven-race National Hunt meeting.
Read on for a full preview of the Downpatrick card, courtesy of Boyle Sports, who offer all the latest horse racing betting.
We begin with a two and a quarter mile maiden hurdle (2.13). We have two newcomers; Arctic Chief and Campbell Black, but they’ll have to be spot on to get past Gavin Cromwell’s Luker’s Tipple. This horse has been expensive to follow so far, but took a step in the right direction for Cromwell at Listowel in September and could be in easy enough company to win now.
Over the same trip, the next race is a novice handicap hurdle (2.48). Yosemite Gold has come down the weights to his last winning mark, which looks promising for Eoin Doyle, but the Sam Ewing-ridden Oh Janey looks very positive too, having been close on each of her last three starts. She looks to have a good chance of at least a place.
Another handicap hurdle over the two and a quarter miles follows (3.23). Parkgarve unseated his rider at the first last time, having been unsuited to leading the field, but if Sam Ewing employs different tactics today, this horse should have a good chance. Noel Kelly’s Bringsty hasn’t shown much promise so far over hurdles, but did appear to do better last time out when third of 13 at Killarney. Having run well on the Flat on softer ground in the past too, he might have a chance of picking up a place.
Race four is a two and three quarter mile maiden hurdle (3.58). Bold Rhyme is the youngest in the field, aged five, while Isn’t He Westie is the least experienced with only two previous runs. Gordon Elliott’s Pour Les Filles is the highest rated by a large margin, but isn’t the easiest to train and has only been seen run three times in the past two years. If fit and on his game, though, he’s the best horse in the race.
Next is a handicap hurdle over two and three quarter miles (4.30). Hitthehayson won last time out on what was his first run for Ian Donoghue, while Schiehallion and Wild Mandate both placed second when last seen. Bella Union has come down to a tempting mark and could make the placings for John McConnell, and Tiny Angel might be a danger in first-time blinkers, should they take effect.
The penultimate race is a two and a half mile beginners’ chase (5.05). Cian Collins’ Torquay Road seeks a hat-trick here, having won his last two hurdle starts at Galway and Sligo. Seskin Flash looks very interesting, having finished fourth of 13 on chase debut in April and could go well, starting the new season here today.
Racing concludes with a three-mile handicap chase (5.37). Ian Donoghue’s Small Town Hero completed a hurdle hat-trick over the summer and has since had a break. He starts today two pounds lower than his last chase start and, if running as well as his summer form, could be a big player. Toor Moon could also be in the mix, having placed on his last two starts, but he won’t want the ground any softer.
Downpatrick selections – Friday:
2.13 – Luker’s Tipple
2.48 – Yosemite Gold
3.23 – Parkgarve
3.58 – Pour Les Filles
4.30 – Tiny Angel
5.05 – Seskin Flash
5.37 – Small Town Hero
