There are few fixtures in the Irish racing calendar that carry the same blend of history and atmosphere as Downpatrick’s Ulster National Raceday. Set against the backdrop of Ireland’s oldest racecourse, this meeting has long been a favourite for racing enthusiasts, and now it’s time for more to get to know why it’s so popular.
This isn’t a meeting for the faint-hearted. Those who finish first past the post have to earn their stripes due to Downpatrick’s demanding course, which makes it so challenging. Its testing track certainly rewards grit and determination over glamour.
There is a noticeable theme among the early entries, particularly in the chases, of horses being stepped up in trip after shaping well over shorter distances. That is rarely accidental at Downpatrick. High-profile trainers so often target this meeting with horses that have the stamina and staying power to prevail.
Let’s dive into the schedule and also look at key races and contenders ready to do battle this Sunday.
Race day schedule
The 14:07 maiden hurdle opens proceedings with a field that includes a handful of runners who have already shown enough to suggest that a breakthrough is close. Yet this gives those in attendance – and watching from home – the opportunity to make a note of horses to watch out for in the future – late runs or those who place may well kick on and excel later on in their careers.
Gordon Elliott has entered Premier Division, Nopresentliketime, He Can’t Dance and Gunnery Sergeant, while Willie Mullins has a two-pronged attack with Seabloom and Robert James. Expect at least two or three of these to sit at the top of the market.
By 14:42, the handicap hurdle brings in more exposed runners, including several that have been consistently placed without winning. However, one horse that does stand out is Elliott’s King Gris, who is looking to win for a third race in a row. It will be a tough horse – or shock win – that prevents this six-year-old from winning again.
The 15:17 beginners chase is one of the more revealing races on the card. Several runners arrive from solid hurdling campaigns, including Elliott’s Dairy Force. However, this seven-year-old is far from bulletproof, and the likes of Barry Connell and Eoin Griffin have their own contenders who are capable of coming out on top in this gruelling test. Elliott can’t win them all, and this race offers an opportunity to look elsewhere.
The 110 Series Final Handicap Hurdle starts to bring in the more traditional Downpatrick profile. There are runners here with proven stamina, with 14 entered at this stage, including horses that have already competed over three miles or further. Gavin Cromwell looks keen to win this, with both Take Stock and Bergamasquo set to compete for the €15,000 prize.
At 16:27, the Randox Ulster National Handicap Chase is worth double in prize money compared to the previous race – but it’s also the main event of the day.
Those entered include a mix of improving types and seasoned campaigners, where certain runners are stepping up in distance after finishing well in previous races, which is a recurring theme throughout the card. Keep an eye on Mullins’ pair Fishery Lane and Uncle Pat for any market support. They will surely be popular in the build-up to the race.
The 17:00 Beginners Chase could well be one of the smaller fields on the day with just 13 entered at this stage. However, this doesn’t mean that it’s a race to miss out on. Built around staying chasers with varying degrees of consistency, this race is wide open and we could potentially witness a shock result. Only J P Dempsey’s Dee’s Lady was a winner last time out, and this horse could be the one to side with.
The closing 17:30 bumper looks to be very intriguing. With no Mullins runners entered, the race has been blown wide open. Ten horses are currently entered from nine different yards, with Stephen Carey the only man to enter two as the racecard comes to a close. Cause For Comment and Cebu City have shown good performances of late, with the former winning last time out.
Stand-out races and key contenders
The Ulster National Handicap Chase is naturally the race that everyone is excited for, and it’s safe to say by the entries that top trainers want to claim the prize.
This race is certainly built for endurance, and it’s important to note that several runners arrive having shaped well in defeat of late.
Gordon Elliott only has one runner in the field with nine-year-old Will Do – though his form hasn’t been up to scratch for quite some time. However, it’s always hard to dismiss Elliott in these kinds of races.
Willie Mullins has also targeted the race, and his main hope will be Uncle Pat, who has finished second in two of his last three runs and looks more than capable of landing the prize on Sunday.
Earlier on the card, in the 15:17 handicap hurdle, the eye is drawn to Barry Connell’s Mart Lane, who has shown improvement with each and every run. Although lightly raced, the five-year-old’s last time out second reads well and he could be the answer.
Elsewhere, the 15:52 handicap chase is another that deserves attention. Several runners here already have form over longer trips, and the way that this race unfolds should give a strong indication of how the track is riding.
However, once again, Elliott may have the answer, and Themanintheboots brings the best form to the table out of all 14 entries. Having won and placed twice from the last six races, no other horse has shown that kind of consistency of late, and Elliott’s sole runner will prove to be a popular bet up until flagfall.
Ulster National Raceday betting focus
This is one of those cards where you shouldn’t ignore the specific profiles of the runners. The entries themselves tell a fairly clear story – if you pay attention to them.
In the Ulster National, the strongest candidates in years gone by have been those with proven stamina and experience in staying chases. Horses that have already run well over extended trips, even without winning, tend to outperform those stepping into this test for the first time. Experience is essential for horses to deal well with not only the track, but also the conditions and the gruelling test.
Across the earlier races, especially the other chases, jumping reliability becomes a key factor around this tight track. Horses that have shown any tendency to make errors are far more vulnerable here at Downpatrick, which is a course known for not allowing much room for recovery. Clean, efficient jumping is often the difference between staying competitive and dropping away quickly.
There is also a consistent pattern among the entries of horses stepping up in trip after finishing strongly. That is not a coincidence – far from it, in fact. It suggests and highlights intent from Irish trainers, and those runners are often more appealing than horses dropping in class without recent form to support them.
Check out the odds on Downpatrick’s racecard here.
Keep up to date with Tonybet
Markets around several of these races, particularly the Ulster National and the beginners chase, are likely to tighten around runners from the major yards.
Elliott and Mullins entries, in particular, tend to attract sustained support, and they will be taking a number of their best prodigies to Downpatrick. But don’t let that put you off smaller yards that have entered horses capable of dominating at this track. This venue favours previous course winners and local yards know exactly how to be tactical and win these kinds of races.
It’s also highly important to keep an eye on market moves in the bumper, especially where well-bred newcomers are concerned. Without a Mullins entry, this could be your chance to win big. Late money is often very telling in this curtain raiser and following it may be your best bet – and an opportunity to end the day on a high.
If you’re looking to place a bet on any of the races or horses we’ve listed, be sure to head over to Tonybet’s sportsbook for the best odds and price boosts on the day. Tonybet’s sportsbook has the racecard covered from top to bottom, providing some of the best value available.
