The Sky Pilot takes off at Downpatrick !

Six exciting national hunt races from Downpatrick this Wednesday afternoon with plenty of opportunities to build up the all important Cheltenham festival ‘tank’. Located in the foothills of the Mourne montains, Downpatrick is an unique ten furlong circuit where racing has been taking place for over three hundred years. Undulating is a course description that befits Downpatrick nicely with a unique combination of rises and inclines coupled with some tricky obstacles ,particularly the second last, which has caught out many a good horse over the years . In running players beware, the complexion of the races run here can change dramatically as tired horses attempt to negotiate the famous up hill climb to the finishing post.

Before we look at the card in greater detail let’s have a quick look at some of the all important track ‘stats’. Leading riders with mounts today include Andrew McNamara, who can boast of a 16% strike rate here, Paul Carberry (28% for trainer Gordon Elliot) and Nina Carberry with the majority of her winners coming in amateur rider bumper races (ref 4.45 race). Trainers to note with runners today include Gordon Elliot, who has a 15% strike rate, Philip Rothwell (10%) and Sligo based Mark McEniff who’s hurdlers perform to an admirable 25% here at Downpatrick.

Racing opens with the two and a quarter mile maiden hurdle at 2.15  for four year olds and older horses. Ian Ferguson’s recent Musselburgh winner Leighinmohr looks one for the short list and I also think Roy Wilson’s Seriatim has a chance ,particularly if he can reproduce the form shown on his latest start when  finishing third in better company at Down Royal. Of the remainder, Paul Nolan’s Candeeiro is entitled to run well and could be one to look at in the place markets.

The mares hurdle at 2.45 looks at the mercy of the recent Punchestown winner Charlie’s Vic ,who really only needs to show up to collect. Jimmy Lambe’s Nanna Maura looks the best of the rest in a race that shouldn’t  take too much winning.

Oscar Hill didn’t get the run of the race at Thurles on his latest outing and he gets a nice opportunity to make amends in the two and a quarter mile handicap hurdle at 3.15. Close market watch is recommended when assessing the chances of Paul Flynn’s Budweiser who showed enough on his latest start to suggest he is well up to winning a race of this nature.

The second of our handicap hurdles at 3.45 has attracted a maximum field and is a tough contest to call. Stephen Crawford’s Call Box looks an obvious contender having won over fences here at the track in October. He fluffed his lines here at Downpatrick a couple of runs back and today’s race affords a nice opportunity to recoup expenses . Others to consider in this handicap might be the consistent Up The Girls and the Rodger Sweeney trained Fiery Oscar who makes the marathon trip up from Cork to contest this race.

The two mile six maiden hurdle at 4.15 affords a nice opportunity for the Joanna Morgan trained Sky Pilot to open his account over hurdles. On his last outing he ran in much better company when finishing third to the decent Meade trained Ipsos Du Berlais at Down Royal and a reproduction of that run should be good enough here. Hills Of Claragh would have a chance, although he hasn’t been out for quite some time and conceivably will need the run, while Hourigan’s Dizzy Rascal gets the valuable mares allowance which should put here in with a decent shout.

Racing finishes up with the bumper at 4.45 an event where  Nina Carberry has a record second to none. Her mount Spring Lane commands much respect here following some useful placed efforts over the last few months. Paul Nolan runs Ablator who can reasonably be expected to improve for an initial racecourse experience at Fairyhouse while Rothwell’s unraced mare Game Or Salmon could be a factor if the market speaks in her favour.

Enjoy your racing from Downpatrick this afternoon and don’t forget to call us here at Star Spreads on 1800 624 624 where our experienced team will be happy to talk you through all the markets available to you. Winning distances,total S’P's.match bets plus the ever popular 50-25-10 horse indices. Sounds like a lot of fun!

Star Spreads can offer you the most personable,private,friendly and professional telephone betting service available. With Cheltenham just around the corner isn’t it time you opened an account? .You won’t be disappointed !

Donal