UK Horse Racing Tips: Down Royal

THE YELLOW CLAY was far from disgraced when finishing sixth in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham on his penultimate start, before finding only a classy sort too good in a Punchestown Grade 1 on his most recent start. Now stepping up in trip on his hurdles debut, he looks a novice hurdler to keep on side. Stable companion Wingmen impressed when winning a Punchestown bumper in May and he merits respect on his debut over flights, while My Lyka can also go well.
Prediction : 1st The Yellow Clay 2nd Wingmen 3rd My Lyka

JIMLI'S CAVE accounted for Il Silenzio (fourth) when scoring in decisive fashion over 2m6f at Downpatrick on his latest outing and he has a 7lb higher mark to contend with. Considering the manner of that success, he could prove very hard to beat again. Mullaghmore Wave has been thereabouts on each of her last two starts over fences and has to be respected on her return to this sphere, while Emily In Paris is another to keep an eye on.
Prediction : 1st Jimlis Cave 2nd Mullaghmore Wave 3rd Emily In Paris

In a wide-open contest where cases can be made for the majority of the field, it may be worth siding with SPECULATRIX, as Gordon Elliott looks to win this race for the third time in six years. She looked sure to win before falling at the last on her hurdling debut at Killarney last month and could well make amends here. Mystical Goddess won as she pleased at Clonmel and may prove her biggest rival, followed by Sansrisk, Miss Dishy and Savante, who could all have a say in the finish.
Prediction : 1st Speculatrix 2nd Mystical Goddess 3rd Sansrisk

Although official ratings would suggest Daddy Long Legs, an emphatic winner at Tipperary last month, is the one to beat, BRIGHTERDAYSAHEAD can prove too strong. Six from seven so far, Gordon Elliott's mare put the boys in their place when routing the field in the Mersey Novices' Hurdle at Aintree in April. Her only defeat came at the Cheltenham Festival the previous month and she will take all the beating if returning on song. Stablemate King Of Kingsfield appeals most of the remainder.
Prediction : 1st Brighterdaysahead 2nd Daddy Long Legs 3rd King Of Kingsfield

SOMEONE'S WISH won a beginners chase at Downpatrick in September and was only narrowly denied at Cork last time. Now switched to handicaps, the four-year-old could be hard to beat off a workable mark. If You Let Me hit the crossbar on the level last week and should not be underestimated, while Calico and Hypotenus are others who merit places on the shortlist in an open event.
Prediction : 1st Someones Wish 2nd If You Let Me 3rd Calico

Gordon Elliott has won seven of the last eight renewals of this contest, and the smart hurdler FIREFOX makes the most appeal of the yard's three runners this time. The six-year-old finished runner-up in the Champion Novice Hurdle at Punchestown in April and is the one to beat if transferring that level of form to the larger obstacles. Stablemate Big Stage could also go well, although Mossy Fen Park may prove a bigger threat on his chasing bow.
Prediction : 1st Firefox 2nd Mossy Fen Park 3rd Big Stage

Gordon Elliott won this with Firefox last year and has a strong chance once again with JACOB'S LADDER. The five-year-old was caught at the finish on his Rules debut in a Punchestown bumper and a repeat of that level of form would make him a tough nut to crack. Stable companion Kalypso'chance was bought for 85,000 pounds after winning a point-to-point in England and he is likely to pose a solid threat along with Jerry From Kerry, who scored at Ballinrobe on his penultimate start.
Prediction : 1st Jacobs Ladder 2nd Kalypsochance 3rd Jerry From Kerry