Downpatrick Horse Racing Tips

FEMME MAGNIFIQUE is one of four bumper winners in the line-up having scored at Thurles last December and has been quite highly tried since, including at Punchestown last month, where she had Sharp Object over three lengths behind. Disco Dancer won at Down Royal on St Patrick's Day and has shown promise since over hurdles, including when runner-up at Limerick last month. Long Gone confirmed the promise of her debut in a Wexford maiden hurdle when taking a Limerick bumper in impressive fashion, while Slim Marvel certainly won't lack for experience over hurdles. Tell Me This was let down by her jumping in point-to-points, but was a creditable third in a Leopardstown bumper last time.

TELL US THIS has progressed well since encountering good ground and got off the mark in a 20-runner handicap at Down Royal last month. The Gavin Cromwell-trained gelding subsequently beat all bar Herculaneum in another big-field event at Ballinrobe and may have been found a good opportunity to regain the winning thread, providing the forecast rain doesn't change ground conditions too much. Mater Matuta gained a fourth career win over fences at Tramore, and the dual-purpose mare is another suited by a decent surface. Brownstone also won at Tramore this spring and was far from disgraced in both outings since.

WALK IN TIME showed stamina is her forte when successful over three miles at Tipperary last summer on just her second handicap start. The Harry Kelly-trained mare couldn't find any extra in the straight on her reappearance at Limerick last month, but should benefit from that outing and has scope for further improvement. Cullenwaine filled the runner-up spot here last autumn and rates a threat having just lost out to Seasett at Limerick last month. Pettigo caught the eye when making late headway after a long lay-off at Ballinrobe, while Calahill reverts to Rules after winning a point-to-point last month.

Ian Donoghue is a trainer on the rise this year and O'FAOLAINS GLORY has played her part, winning both over hurdles and fences. The chase win came at this venue and the front-running mare remains on a lowly mark, with Joey Dunne good value for his 7lb claim. Aliunde enters calculations having been beaten less than a length over C&D last time, while Derby De Thaix, Cramers Valley and Kalsman are others to consider. Beau's Candle won two point-to-points last November and was second when reverting to hurdles at Punchestown earlier this year, but needs to bounce back after dropping away tamely at Ballinrobe.

Fitted with cheekpieces for the first time, it might be worth taking a chance on BENNY SILVER. Placed on numerous occasions when trained in the UK by Nigel Twiston-Davies, the six-year-old starts off for Ian Donoghue and could prove to be well treated off a mark of 88. Donoghue also saddles Attitash, who is not without his chance either. Recent Tramore runner-up Itsalonglongroad has never won over a trip as far as this, but still warrants respect as a dual course winner. Successful in first-time cheekpieces here last month, Quite Incredible is sure to have plenty of supporters in his bid to follow up, while others for the shortlist in this competitive heat are Ballinrobe winner Game And Glory and Declan Queally's Mick Charlie.

A dual point-to-point winner, INTERSKY SUNSET might be able to take this weak affair. Successful over flights at Gowran in November, the Declan Queally-trained seven-year-old has been a bit disappointing since. She hinted at a return to form when a close third at Tramore on her most recent start and it'll come as no surprise if she manages to go a few places better now. Natural Breeze was a solid fifth on his debut over fences at Tramore recently and looks a leading contender, while On My Bike, who won on his penultimate start at Punchestown, is likely to have plenty of supporters with Conor Stone-Walsh aboard. Cocoplum and Stockdale represent local connections and both warrant respect, while Townhill Penny and Tullyveery Lad complete the line-up, with the former tried in blinkers for the first time.

GREENWAY MACHINE might be able to follow up his recent Tramore success in this competitive affair. The imposing 12-year-old beat Ennemi Public, Ocodango Boy and Tuff Days at the Co Waterford venue and they all reoppose now. A winner over C&D in October, the Helen Markham-trained selection will be ridden by Conor Smithers, who claims a valuable 7lb. Beaten three-parts of a length and 10 lengths respectively in that Tramore contest, Ennemi Public and Ocodango Boy are sure to have plenty of supporters, while the locally-trained Welsh Saint, who was second here on his penultimate start, is another leading hope. A dual course winner, Nuttorridge warrants respect, while others for the shortlist are Declan Queally's Centurion Steel and Wee Jerry, who starts off for the shrewd Ian Donoghue.

Both Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott are represented here, but it might be worth taking them on with the Andy Slattery-trained EOIN'S CHARM. A son of Califet, his two efforts to date have come over hurdles at Ballinrobe, finishing a close fourth on debut after not getting a clear run in the closing stages. The five-year-old since fell at the last when disputing the lead at the Co Mayo venue and takes his chance in a bumper now. Starcrossed Lover is another switching from hurdles to a bumper. A fine second on debut at Punchestown, it'll come as no surprise if he manages to go a place better, with his trainer Colm Murphy responsible for two bumper winners in recent weeks. Lady Gooner is the Mullins representative and could be a different proposition encountering good ground for the first time. The Elliott-trained Beaufort Scale and John McConnell's Jackson Lamb are other leading hopes.