UK Horse Racing Tips: Down Royal

GRAMMATA brings a high level of form from her three outings and should prove difficult to beat in receipt of weight from nearly all her rivals. The Denis Hogan-trained filly was unfancied on debut when runner-up to Dickiedooda at the Curragh and reproduced that form when again second behind the same rival in a Cork Listed race. In between she was far from disgraced when only weakening in the closing stages of the Queen Mary at Royal Ascot. Logo Hunter showed good speed throughout when going down narrowly to Aloha Star, with fellow debutante Bell I Am nearly four lengths back in third, at Bellewstown earlier this month. That form received a timely boost when the winner followed up in the Group 2 Airlie Stud Stakes at the Curragh last Sunday. Miss Amulet showed improved form on her third start when bolting up in a Cork Auction Maiden, while Dacesa and Measure Of Magic are other winners to consider.
Prediction : 1st Grammata 2nd Logo Hunter 3rd Miss Amulet

HIJA DE LA LUNA gets the vote wearing a hood on her handicap debut. The Pat Flynn-trained filly showed pace on all three juvenile starts at Dundalk, going close on the second occasion when third to Sampers Seven and Big Gossey. That pair have both won handicaps since off marks of 67 and 82 respectively. A low draw is another plus for the selection, while Feelfreetojumpin and Musical Rue are drawn just on her outer and may provide the chief threats. The former made most of the running when fourth recently in a Dundalk maiden and should be suited by this fast five furlongs. St George's Head filled the runner-up spot in a maiden over course and distance last year and has the considerable assistance of Colin Keane.
Prediction : 1st Hija De La Luna 2nd Feelfreetojumpin 3rd Musical Rue

TOORA LOORA has filled the runner-up spot on all three outings this term and perhaps the addition of cheekpieces can help her gain a winning bracket. The daughter of Nathaniel may well prove best over a bit further in time having finished well on each occasion and has shown an ability to handle differing ground conditions. She had Tooreen Angel about two lengths behind in fourth on her penultimate start at Leopardstown. She's Our Queen has shown definite promise on both outings over a mile and on pedigree has every chance of seeing out the extra two furlongs, while Awkwafina is another stepping up in trip after keeping on in third behind Gin Blossom at Leopardstown.
Prediction : 1st Toora Loora 2nd Tooreen Angel 3rd Awkwafina

Three-year-olds have a decent record in this race and perhaps a couple of the light weights, BELLA BRAZIL and Elizabethofaragon, can fight out the finish. The selection got on top close home to land a Gowran Park maiden and has run well twice since in competitive handicaps also over a mile. She gives the impression this step up in trip should suit. There are no stamina concerns for Elizabethofaragon who relished the move up to a mile and a half when scoring in great style on her handicap debut at Leopardstown earlier this month. She really got on top in the closing stages on that occasion and now races off a 15lb higher mark. Wilderness bids to make it four wins from as many starts this season and can't be lightly discounted despite an 18lb hike for that run of success, while Slaney East and Blackcatblackitten both won maidens last time out and have scope for further improvement.
Prediction : 1st Bella Brazil 2nd Elizabethofaragon 3rd Wilderness

SHUMAKER has really progressed over hurdles since joining Paul Traynor winning four times last season. The eight-year-old gelding reverted to the Flat off a basement mark at Ballinrobe on Monday and duly added to his tally beating chief market rival Jeff Kidder, with the pair drawing clear of the remainder. He gets the vote to follow up off this revised rating with Joey Sheridan again claiming a valuable 5lb. Noble Intention beat Amlad and Misty Millie over this trip at Navan earlier this month, and Amlad is closely matched with Drummer on running behind Harvey Specter at Killarney last week. Cache Queen was never involved on the Polytrack at Dundalk last time but previously was in good form on turf including when going close over this trip at Fairyhouse.
Prediction : 1st Shumaker 2nd Noble Intention 3rd Amlad

The assessor doesn't take kindly to handicaps being won in the style of Red Kelly's runaway Leopardstown success. Even off a punitive 21lbs higher mark, he's obviously a major player up in trip, but it's a massive hike in the weights by any standards. BABY ZEUS came home well in fourth behind subsequent Listed winner Delphi at Navan, and the third has also won since, so it's strong form and he might improve for the extra distance. Stablemate Marchons Ensemble's second to Moll at Leopardstown was also encouraging, and he gives Ger Lyons a strong hand in this, while Aesop won his maiden snugly and could be on a nice mark. Sunchart wasn't discredited in the Irish Derby and this is a big drop in class.
Prediction : 1st Baby Zeus 2nd Red Kelly 3rd Marchons Ensemble

CHIRICAHUA was taken out of a maiden at Naas on Wednesday and this looks more winnable than taking on Irish Derby third Dawn Patrol. The selection took his chance in the Irish Derby himself, and cut no ice in that, but his two juvenile runs give him good claims, notably his second to subsequent Group 3 winner Degraves at Navan. Silver Fox should improve from his comeback fourth at Fairyhouse, as should Lady Hanson after a creditable debut at Cork. Oh So True didn't run up to scratch last time, but her previous two runs at the Curragh have worked out well and would give her every chance.
Prediction : 1st Silver Fox 2nd Chiricahua 3rd Lady Hanson