7:35 Downpatrick Tips

Plenty to like on first chase run. When fourth, not beaten far and was going okay until badly hampered by a faller and could never recover. Likely to be in the mix with a clear round. Should be there.

Hardy Diamond has been looking progressively more impressive with each passing outing and knocking on the door of success repeatedly, and has been left waiting for an answer so far. Was 5th at Punchestown in February and since then has had two outings at Down Royal with finishes of 2nd and 3rd. Went off as a 3/1 favorite in the most recent of those, and this looks a more winnable race to me.

If Coillte M C G fails to recover form, then this Cromwell might well take advantage and looks a player after recent chase run. Half chance.

Dinoland last won around Down Royal and is a dual-hurdle winner. Struggled last month but has some good runs at Downpatrick. I am tipping Dinoland with Sam Ewing on board. Dinoland can be inside the top four to place.

Jimlis Cave is better than that last run and has enough to be competitive here. He’s previously won and also placed over this trip. Blinkers back on, which have worked before, so there are solid positives if he settles better this time. If he doesn’t overdo it early, he’s very much in the each-way mix, I reckon.

Given his recent outstanding win at Down Royal, he stands out as a strong option to place. He is in superb form for Ms Helen Markham, tends to perform admirably in the conditions, and with the experienced Gavin Brouder in the saddle, he offers great each-way value at appealing 11/1 odds.

Course winner looks on a good mark today. Not shown much recently but comes here fresh. Stable knows how to get them ready. Decent jockey up. Trip looks ideal.