UK Horse Racing Tips: Down Royal

AMERICAN MIKE was far from disgraced in second behind Facile Vega in the Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival. He finished a distant third behind the aforementioned rival at Punchestown but that could have been the result of a long season and he boasts leading credentials in this. Letsbeclearaboutit won three from five bumper starts and is feared on his return, while Cocoplum completes the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st American Mike 2nd Letsbeclearaboutit 3rd Cocoplum

TYRE KICKER didn't show much in maiden hurdles, but he took a step forward on his handicap debut when successful at Punchestown in May. Gavin Cromwell's charge is 8lb higher on his return to action, but he's fancied to make light of that in a first-time tongue-tie. Menindee has been running to a consistent level in recent starts and looks set for another bold bid, while Jungle Prose and True Destiny are also taken seriously. Golas Tiep shouldn't be underestimated either.
Prediction : 1st Tyre Kicker 2nd Menindee 3rd Jungle Prose

In a race stacked with potential stars at this level, THE MODEL KINGDOM strikes as one highly likely to continue to make an impact. It's hard to know how much she still had in the locker as she was eased down to win on her hurdles debut at Tipperary last month, but she showed enough determination in her previous outings in bumpers to suggest she has a willingness to dig deep. Improving individuals such as Nikini, Carrigmoorna Queen and Magical Zoe are expected to be thereabouts as well.
Prediction : 1st The Model Kingdom 2nd Nikini 3rd Carrigmoorna Queen

This looks to be a match between Gordon Elliott's two promising four-year-olds and fitness on the side of PIED PIPER may just win the day. A comfortable winner on his return at Cheltenham last month, the son of New Approach has always had plenty of ability and this may be the season that he puts it all together. Stablemate Fil Dor would have been a multiple Grade One winner last season but for the presence of Vauban and he is sure to go close on his return. Gaelic Arc rates best of the rest.
Prediction : 1st Pied Piper 2nd Fil Dor 3rd Gaelic Arc

Gordon Elliott looks to have a couple of solid chances here, with GEVREY fancied to give weight and a beating to his rivals. He gamely beat subsequent winner Optional Mix over an extended 2m3f at Limerick recently and a 6lb rise might not be enough to anchor him if he's in the same mood. His stablemate The Greek arrives following a win at Perth and he is respected, although Now Where Or When and Gladiatorial are feared most.
Prediction : 1st Gevrey 2nd Now Where Or When 3rd Gladiatorial

It is difficult to look past MIGHTY POTTER, who made quite the impression as a novice hurdler last season despite looking like a horse who was crying out for a fence. He gets that opportunity here, at a track where he won so easily on this card last year, and he can take this en route to bigger assignments. Largy Debut may not have lived up to expectations after an impressive maiden hurdle win at Cork last December but fences could reignite him, while Hascoeur Clermont is another to note.
Prediction : 1st Mighty Potter 2nd Largy Debut 3rd Hascoeur Clermont

With just three heading to post, it is easiest to side with BETTER DAYS AHEAD, who makes his Rules debut following a comfortable victory in a point-to-point in February and has to be respected on his return to action. He makes his stable debut for powerful connections and shades the vote ahead of Carnfunnock, who was last seen finishing well beaten in a Grade 1 bumper at Punchestown. Do As Your Told completes the line-up.
Prediction : 1st Better Days Ahead 2nd Carnfunnock 3rd Do As Your Told