Jonathan Moore on the key things to note for Downpatrick on Sunday

The demands of Downpatrick are unique and Jonathan Moore, the joint-leading rider at the track this season alongside Sean Flanagan, is better placed than most to advise what is needed to win at the County Down venue.

Downpatrick may have more in common with a rollercoaster than it does a racecourse, but you won't hear any jockeys complaining about making the long trek up north to ride given the top-notch ground often available.

Asked what is needed to excel around Downpatrick, Moore, who has fired home five winners at a 24 per cent strike-rate at the track this season, said: “Nine times out of ten you want to be riding the track handily. Get your breathers going up the hill, get them slowly going down the hill and be ready to kick coming up the hill.”

“You need a horse who stays well and one who will handle the undulations. Not every horse will handle the twists and turns of Downpatrick – it's a nimble, well-balanced horse you need.”

Downpatrick: welcomed over 4,000 racegoers on Wednesday for their family fun dayCredit: Alain Barr (racingpost.com/photos)

Downpatrick may not appear to be one for the faint-hearted on television but the professional approach taken by groundstaff elevates it to being one of the more enjoyable tracks to ride at for jockeys, says Moore.

“For a track that's so tight, the hurdles and fences are actually really well positioned and I think it's a lovely track to ride.

"The ground at Downpatrick is up there with the best ground you'd get anywhere else in the country. They always have it safe and they do the best job they can with a relatively tight space.”

Moore added: “It's like a rollercoaster. But, riding around tracks like that, it makes you use your head. You never want to move on one at Downpatrick. You always want to be holding on to one at the top of the hill before you turn down.

"Ideally, you'd want to have got your breathers in by the top of the hill and let them slow down it before quickening up the hill. It's great when it works out like that."

Moore has some solid chances of stretching his good run at the track and identified Bread And Butter, trained by his boss Gavin Cromwell, as being his best chance of another winner in the 2m2f handicap hurdle (2.40).

He said: “He's a little ball of muscle and I'd be hoping Downpatrick will suit him well as he's nimble and well-balanced and seems to stay well. I'd be hopeful and he's probably my best chance.”

Trainers and riders to follow

Like Moore, Sean Flanagan has been having a particularly good time at Downpatrick this season having ridden five winners. Darragh O'Keeffe (four winners), Rachael Blackmore and Adam Short (three winners) also operate well at Downpatrick.

The big dog at the track, as far as trainers are concerned, is Gordon Elliott, who dwarfs the tally of his rivals at Downpatrick this season. Elliott has had 57 individual runners there this season and won eight races.

Noel Meade, who has a level-stakes profit of almost £10 per £1 staked at the track, and Gavin Cromwell, are next best with five winners apiece, while northern trainer Noel Kelly has sent out four winners at the track this term.

Noel Meade: profitable with his runners at DownpatrickCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Colin Bowe may be best known for producing top horses for the future but he also keeps a few on the go for the track every season and he's usually worth respecting when he makes the trip up north.

From the ten runners Bowe has aimed at Downpatrick this season, he's made the long journey back to Wexford with three winners, boasting a level stakes profit of £4.

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