Friday Tipping: 'With the cheekpieces reapplied off this career-low mark he could make his breakthrough win' Another double header should throw up plenty of opportunities for backers at Downpatrick and Dundalk this Friday with the jumping action due off at 2.15pm before the Polytrack action begins at 4.50pm. The two divisions of the 0-70 Irishinjuredjockeys.com Handicap have as you would expect maximum 14-runner fields and NAZARIO (Johnny Murtagh) is one who appeals in the 1st leg at 6.00pm. This will be his first run at Dundalk since switching stables. While under the care of Natalie Lupini, he was placed a couple of times in maiden company here last year and competed in his first handicap when rated 77 for his former trainer in the Birdcatcher at Naas 12 months ago. He managed to finish a respectable sixth on that occasion having finished second on his previous start over the same 6f trip at Dundalk. Recently he has been tried over further but was probably inconvenienced by the soft ground at Galway when sent off favourite for a 1m handicap there last month off 69 and appeared not to stay. Dropping down to 7f and racing off a 1lb lower rating from a low draw in four is encouraging returning to this surface. With the cheekpieces reapplied off this career-low mark he could make his breakthrough win under Ben Coen. The second division at 6.30pm could see the battle-hardened MEHMAN return to winning ways for Pat Murphy who has come close a few times this year with the seven-year-old. He ran creditably in two runs on turf in the 70s before his latest effort over six when third to the progressive Caffu Zafeen who won again for the third consecutive time on his very next start. Mehman, a four-time winner at Dundalk, finished second over this course and distance on his first start for Murphy last March. On that occasion he was defeated by Una Matata (Ado McGuinness) who renews rivalry again here but the Murphy inmate might just have the edge coming here in good form. One to watch in the market is the bottom weight Battleforsupremacy (Danny McLoughlin) who ran well here on his previous visit off a 10lb higher mark before two below-par runs on turf. The cheekpieces he wore that day are replaced by blinkers and reunited with the promising Conor Cusack claiming the seven off his back and with his yard in form he’d come into the reckoning if the market spoke in his favour. Down Around sets the standard according to official ratings in the 2m3f 100yds beginners chase at Downpatrick (5.05pm). He was still travelling okay for Jack Kennedy before his jumping finally let him down three out on chase debut at Sligo and will bid to make amends under Sam Ewing. Also in that race was eventual third RIVER TARA (Colm Murphy) who was upsides Down Around at the time of his fall and probably didn’t get home over the near 3m2f trip that day. Dropping back in trip should help RIVER TARA who would’ve gained some confidence in the jumping department last time having fallen herself previously when holding every chance on chase debut at Tramore. Staking Plan 5.05 Downpatrick 1pt win River Tara 6.00 Dundalk 1pt win Nazario 6.30 Dundalk 1pt win Mehman
