UK Horse Racing Tips: Tipperary

British Open hero Shane Lowry and his family found themselves in lockdown in the US, but the Offaly man has returned to the golf course recently. He's had a couple of missed cuts since, and he'll doubtless be hoping for better now with his equine interest, THEATRE OF WAR. With a rating of 127 the War Command gelding should be well up to dealing with the opposition he'll encounter here. He'll certainly find it less demanding than when he acquitted himself well, when seventh in the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival. He did wear cheekpieces once before in his Flat racing days. It's a tongue-strap and a visor for the selection, and those aids could help him for this assignment. King Pellinor, Pepperoni Pete, Brawny and Soloheadbeg are among the others to note.
Prediction : 1st Theatre Of War 2nd King Pellinor 3rd Pepperoni Pete

Champion Hurdle fifth placer PETIT MOUCHOIR is top-rated and he has won off a break before. The winners have continued to flow from the Henry de Bromhead yard since action returned this month. One would have thought that Petit Mouchoir will be very well prepared for this assignment, given that it falls under the too difficult to pass up heading. At these race conditions the front-running grey gets weight off rivals that are rated his inferior on official figures. Himself and Ballyoisin burnt themselves out in a pace battle behind Davids Charm (in the mix again) over the course and distance in October. There may again be competition for the lead. Lessons learned on that occasion though, could be put into practice now. It's a bigger field than would usually been seen for this valuable prize, and therefore there are several potential each-way propositions. Like Petit Mouchoir, Aramon, Chosen Mate, A Wave Of The Sea, Stratum and Yanworth were last seen in action at Cheltenham. Some of these will be in there pitching for a place in the frame at least.
Prediction : 1st Petit Mouchoir 2nd Aramon 3rd Stratum

Joint top-weights BUA BOY and Shanroe aren't long about capturing the attention here. Better ground and two miles could be optimum conditions for Bua Boy, and he'll likely find himself more at home now, rather than when tackling some of the assignments that have come his way in more recent times. The selection won on his debut and also ran well off a break in the past. Catching him when he's fresh could be the way to go with the Doyen gelding. Another plus is that following Denis Hogan's runners in recent times has produced a profit. Shanroe is rated 82 on the Flat after a maiden win last time. He could be very attractively handicapped off 109, and movements in the betting will be interesting. If the market is strong on handicap first-timer Shanroe, then it'll justifiably be a case of 'all aboard' for many, on Karl Thornton's talented six-year-old.
Prediction : 1st Bua Boy 2nd Shanroe 3rd Broder

THUNDER DOWN UNDER has always been viewed as a fine big chasing type and fittingly he began in the point-to-point fields. He's from a family full of winners, including 2014 Irish Grand National hero Shutthefrontdoor. Not surprisingly given his background, Thunder Down Under cost a pretty penny as a three-year-old, trainer Gordon Elliott signing the docket at 125,000 euros. The Fame And Glory gelding has just a bumper win under his belt yet, and his hurdling efforts have earned him a rating of 115. That's a far from insurmountable target for his rivals to aim at. However they look ordinary, and with Davy Russell up for the first time, and with Gordon Elliott among the winners recently, Thunder Down Under should take a bit of beating. Summer ground looks good for him too. Desert Island, Gallopongray, Lilly Mon May and Skyace have the appearance of place prospects.
Prediction : 1st Thunder Down Under 2nd Desert Island 3rd Gallopongray

Gavin Cromwell is two-handed here, and though they have little to recommend them on paper Mary Of De Sorrows and Galaxy Girl (tongue-strap tried) would be interesting if attracting market support in an ordinary affair. Lord Boru was a beaten favourite last time and he'll justifiably be towards the top of the market again. Two that won on the Cork and Waterford point-to-point scene, Slainte And Thanks and Mary Fields, are another pair that need to be factored into the equation. For a selection it may be worth rowing in behind top-weight and handicap first-timer SHANNON FIELDS. Up in trip on better ground the Scorpion gelding will need to jump more slickly than he has to date. His dam, Native Mistress, won a bumper, and a half-brother, Warlike Intent, did likewise. Winners Be My Better Half and Wishwillow Lord are also close up in the pedigree, and it should be only a matter of time before Shannon Fields joins them.
Prediction : 1st Shannon Fields 2nd Lord Boru 3rd Mary Of De Sorrows

Gordon Elliott does well with these horses he picks up out of England and MARIA FRANCESCA won't need to be any star to win on her first start for the yard here. She ran well when placed in a bumper on good ground but was well held in four starts over hurdles in more testing conditions. This doesn't looks the strongest race and off a mark of 93 she'd have to have a shout. Charlotte Wells had some decent runs last season, particularly when fifth in a Down Royal maiden hurdle, and is capable of running a big race in this company. Jaunty Velocity is another who showed up well in a couple of competitive events last season and should get involved.
Prediction : 1st Maria Francesca 2nd Charlotte Wells 3rd Jaunty Velocity

CURLEW HILL was slightly disappointing on his first outing for Gordon Elliott at Thurles back in March but Jamie Codd reported then that he didn't handle the ground and he looks worth another chance now. The Carlotamix gelding had run on nicely when third on his previous outing at at the same track and may appreciate the sounder surface now. Goaheadwiththeplan looks an obvious danger having shown up well in a few runs last season, both in a bumper and over hurdles. Those came on softer ground but he was running well when falling in his point-to-point on decent ground so is probably versatile enough. Hallowed Star ran a big race when third over in Stratford back in March and is another to consider.
Prediction : 1st Curlew Hill 2nd Goaheadwiththeplan 3rd Hallowed Star