13:40 DownpatrickSun 2 Apr 2m6f Mdn Hrd

1. Law Ella – She has shown promise in both bumpers and hurdles and ran well in her last start, finishing second over 2m6f at Punchestown. She should appreciate the longer trip and is a strong contender.
2. Ottizzini – He has had some decent bumper form and has been running well over hurdles, including a respectable fifth in a Listed race at Punchestown. With a bit of weight advantage, he should be thereabouts.
3. Smooth Player – He has been a useful bumper performer and has shown better efforts over hurdles in his recent starts. With his breeding suggesting that he may appreciate this longer trip, he could be a good each-way option.

14:15 DownpatrickSun 2 Apr 2m6f Hcap Hrd

1. Ballyglass Beauty – Consistent sort who ran well with a hood on for the first time at Thurles last month. The trip and ground should suit, and she is one to consider.
2. Winding River – Course winner who has been running over fences recently. He went close in beginners’ events last autumn and is interesting back over hurdles off a fair mark.
3. Aliunde – Lightly-raced maiden who shaped well on handicap debut at Punchestown over a shorter trip. The longer trip could be what he needs, and a talented claimer is booked. He is a potential improver.

14:50 DownpatrickSun 2 Apr 2m2f Hcap Hrd

1. Steppenwolf: Ran a good second in a handicap hurdle at Fairyhouse in December and could improve with cheekpieces on for the first time. Also has a previous win on good ground and handles softish ground.
2. Tipp For Mac: Took a step forward in latest maiden hurdle run, finishing a close third and should have room for improvement in jumping. Going the right way and could be a contender on handicap debut.
3. Neigh Botha: Showed fair form in maiden hurdles and the yard is in good form. Tries tongue strap and cheekpieces for the first time and may improve with these additions. Not to be dismissed despite a poor run last time out.

15:25 DownpatrickSun 2 Apr 2m3f Hcap Hrd

1. Soldaro: This mare has shown improvement with each start and was an impressive winner of a mares’ maiden last month. With a reasonable opening handicap mark and more to offer, she could be hard to beat.
2. Circus Act: The filly won a hurdle race at Hereford in February and finished a close second at Doncaster last month. While she has concerns about the ground, her recent form suggests that she is capable of winning this race.
3. Queenie Newall: Although she has been off for over a year, her last run in a handicap hurdle at Leopardstown was encouraging. With a slightly longer trip to suit, she could be a player in this race if she returns in similar form.

16:00 DownpatrickSun 2 Apr 3m4f Hcap Chs

1. Mercury Lane – He’s been impressive over fences recently, winning last month and finishing a good second just two days ago. The step up in trip shouldn’t be a problem and he’s on the up.
2. Archies Charm – He’s been running creditably this winter behind some of the most progressive handicappers of the season, including two Cheltenham festival winners. Handles soft ground and the local connections would love to win this prize.
3. Wa Wa – He comes into this race in good heart after winning a handicap hurdle last month. Likes nice ground and could run well, although the step up in trip and switch to fences are question marks.

16:35 DownpatrickSun 2 Apr 2m3f Hcap Chs

1. Indie Belle – A maiden chase winner in December, has been running well over hurdles since and should appreciate the switch back to chasing. With scope for improvement and trip/ground to suit, she looks a big player in this handicap chase.
2. Shes Some Doll – Won a claiming hurdle in the summer and has bounced back from two falls with good runs in defeat at both Fairyhouse and Navan recently. If she reproduces those efforts, she should be in the mix here in what looks a weak race.
3. So Ladylike – Ran her best race over fences when second in a 2m4f handicap at Wexford last month and should be a contender if the ground doesn’t worsen. However, her form over hurdles since hasn’t been as effective on much more testing ground.

17:10 DownpatrickSun 2 Apr 2m7f Mdn Chs

1. Shantou Show – This horse is an interesting newcomer to the Rules and comes into this race off a win in a point-to-point in February. The pedigree suggests he could be suited to chasing, and with a solid performance in his point-to-point, he could be ready to make an impact in this field.
2. Ahaknowyerself – This horse is coming off his first win in a point-to-point last month and has a good 7lb claimer on board. The headgear could also help improve his performance, and with the claimer’s knowledge of the horse, he could be a contender in this race.
3. Custers Mistake – This horse has plenty of experience and has shown decent form both on the Flat and over hurdles. He has also won his last two point-to-point starts, which suggests he is in good form. While he hasn’t performed as well in novice chases, he could be a factor in this field.