Downpatrick – Saturday 11th June

It has been a very quiet way to start the month of June, but I simply have felt like the opportunities have been there to really go close with many of the days racing. I have been keeping it quite limited, which I think is relatively prudent at this time of the year, and I will continue to do so – even as we take in a high profile week such as Royal Ascot, where I will be looking to do a few daily videos for. Instead for today, the action comes from Downpatrick and I’m looking forward to what should be an excellent card of racing. 

Starting with the 2.20 race, which is a handicap hurdle over an extended 2m1f trip, this race looks a tricky one for horses rated between 80-109. I felt a little unlucky last time out with Willyouwalkwithme, who was so narrowly pipped to the post by an outsider when he was well backed at this course over slightly longer last time out. He returns to this trip, which should in theory suit him very well and I don’t believe he has been handicapped out of things despite that rise for the near miss. There are a few unexposed horses in this line up that could cause some issues but you know this horse loves this track and is a better horse around it than most, which is cause for a lot of optimism. At a price of 11/2 with Paddy Power, who are offering 4 places, he should be backed each way. 

The 2.55 race is another low grade handicap hurdle but this race comes over the trip of 2m5f and sees quite a lot of inconsistent horses try their luck at succeeding in this race. I am going to take a wild swing at one at a big price in this race, and hope that the return to this course and distance can ignite a better performance from Porky Rush, who was all at sea last time out when a beaten favorite at Kilbeggan. I was there that day, and he travelled into contention like a good horse only to weaken very quickly close to the line. Perhaps, the step down in trip will suit and his second at this course two starts back rates as one of the best pieces of form in the line-up. At a price of 16/1 with Bet365, who are offering 4 places, he is worth a small each way bet.

The 4.05 race is the staying handicap chase on the card and this race, which is a tick under 3 miles for these horses to travel, is probably up there with the best race on the card. I will be taking a chance on a returning horse in this race, as I quite like the look of last summer’s improver, Favori Logique – who still may have some more improvement in the tank and should be able to run well if fully tuned up after his break. He has been a somewhat hair raising jumper at times, but he is a very solid horse when he gets it right and has some very good course form here with a few wins registered last summer. He will enjoy the forecast ground and he has regular pilot Shane O’Callaghan back on the plate today. At a price of 13/2 with SkyBet, who are paying out 4 places, he should be backed each way.