UK Horse Racing Tips: Down Royal

Bal De Rio has earned a rating of 116 with a number of solid performances and he looks sure to be in the shake-up, while Deealli only found subsequent Fred Winter third Saint D'oroux too good on his hurdles debut at Gowran and merits shortlist inclusion. Wingin A Prayer and Captain Mc are a couple more with claims, but preference is for NOW WHERE OR WHEN. He chased home two subsequent winners first time out at Navan and normal improvement could make him tough to beat.
Prediction : 1st Now Where Or When 2nd Bal De Rio 3rd Deealli

PLENTIFUL displayed marked improvement in first-time cheekpieces at Clonmel last time, finishing a close-up third, and should be able to strike off just 2lb higher if reproducing that level of performance. Running Skeard performed well in defeat at Gowran latest and is another to note, while Stoughan Cross impressed at Punchestown when reverting to timber and Rossmore's Pride is a C&D winner.
Prediction : 1st Plentiful 2nd Stoughan Cross 3rd Running Skeard

GRANNY KNOT made it fourth time lucky when benefitting from a step up in trip to strike at Thurles last month and, now under Danny Mullins for the first time on handicap debut, is fancied to take a further step forward on ground that promises to suit. Groody Rover shed his maiden tag under Rules at Clonmel recently and will appreciate this stiffer test of stamina, while Metal Man, a recent winner for Gordon Elliott, adds further spice to this.
Prediction : 1st Granny Knot 2nd Groody Rover 3rd Metal Man

In an open race the marginal preference is for GOLAZO, who made a winning chase debut at Tramore when last seen in October. He has to give weight to all of his rivals but the seven-year-old remains unexposed and should have more improvement left to come. Prospectus is an obvious threat having filled second place at Leopardstown earlier in the month. Others to note are Crossed My Mind, Great Khan and Thegoaheadman.
Prediction : 1st Golazo 2nd Prospectus 3rd Crossed My Mind

A wide-open heat despite the small field. The tentative selection is last year's winner, JURY DUTY, on the basis he appears one of the better treated contenders at the weights and could benefit from the fitting of first-time cheekpieces. Fellow track-and-trip winner Fine Rightly returns from a spell hurdling and can fight it out with Monbeg Notorious for the silver medal.
Prediction : 1st Jury Duty 2nd Fine Rightly 3rd Monbeg Notorious

WINGED LEADER has been successful between the flags the last twice for Barry O'Neill and, with the leading rider on board once more for this assessment, the duo are fancied to take plenty of beating. Soft ground suits the selection well and he is preferred to Samurai Cracker, who will appreciate the drop in distance. Alpha Male ran here before finishing second in the Bishopscourt Cup at Punchestown last year and appears to be taking the same route once more.
Prediction : 1st Winged Leader 2nd Samurai Cracker 3rd Alpha Male

DELVINO only found one rival with previous race experience too good on her debut at Navan last month and that form was boosted when the winner finished seventh at Cheltenham last week. With that experience now under her belt the five-year-old could be very hard to beat. Beth Horan is another with solid form claims, while Roxanya and Nommy are arguably the pick of the newcomers.
Prediction : 1st Delvino 2nd Beth Horan 3rd Roxanya