UK Horse Racing Tips: Down Royal

WALK ON THE BEACH won a Killarney bumper last summer and created a good impression on his return when tacking hurdles for the first time at Naas last month. Runner-up that day to a Willie Mullins-trained odds-on favourite, the six-year-old is expected to have improved for the run and this slight step up in trip will suit too. Krak's third to Ballybow is good form and he must enter calculations for a shrewd yard, while Hello Jack boasts a similar profile and point-to-point winner Sporting Glance could get closer to the selection now sent hurdling after a break.
Prediction : 1st Walk On The Beach 2nd Krak 3rd Hello Jack

TIMMY TUESDAY was a ready winner at Ayr before recording a respectable third in a class 2 novice hurdle at Exeter. Those two runs look to be the strongest pieces of form and Gordon Elliott's lightly-raced seven-year-old is taken to defy top weight. Kinbara Firstdraft was an eyecatcher when fourth in that race at Ayr and is dangerous to rule out. Fellow class-dropper Savante is another must for the shortlist. Smooth Scotch and Grann's Boy are each-way contenders.
Prediction : 1st Timmy Tuesday 2nd Kinbara Firstdraft 3rd Savante

Very little in the way of winning form to go on, with a notable exception being AR NOS NA GAOITHE's breakthrough triumph at Clonmel last month. Philip Rothwell's mare travelled well and stayed on strongly, and there should be more to come from her. Navy Waves returned to action with an encouraging Thurles second and might do even better for the extra half-mile. Knocknagoran Lady has claims now back in a handicap, with Cher Tara another to consider.
Prediction : 1st Ar Nos Na Gaoithe 2nd Navy Waves 3rd Knocknagoran Lady

FAVORI DE CHAMPDOU has produced good efforts to run into the money in hot handicaps on each of his last two starts, most recently in the Grand National Trial at Punchestown. Gordon Elliott's 10-year-old sets the standard with a rating of 143 and will prove difficult to beat. The main threat is Gold Cup Bailly, who has cheekpieces applied for the first time and, with all three of his career victories coming in this sphere, he has to be respected. Jumping Jet can beat Marronstown home for third.
Prediction : 1st Favori De Champdou 2nd Gold Cup Bailly 3rd Jumping Jet

CLIFFTOP was in consistent form last summer, with the nine-year-old chasing home subsequent Grand Annual winner Jazzy Matty at Wexford in August. He went one better on his next start at Tramore and is fancied to make a successful return to action, having last been seen on the Flat in October. Brucio finished last of three on her chase debut at Ayr and may benefit from stepping up in trip, while Listentillitellyea appears best of the remainder.
Prediction : 1st Clifftop 2nd Brucio 3rd Listentillitellyea

BIG INTEREST came well clear of Cheltenham Festival runner-up Its On The Line over 3m here in December and although he's been disappointing twice since then, the six-year-old will be difficult to beat if finding a return to form. That being said, Clonmel scorer Milan Forth has been running well between the flags and looks to be a real threat. Others to note include Ballyphilip and Drumnasoo.
Prediction : 1st Big Interest 2nd Milan Forth 3rd Ballyphilip

410,000-euro purchase ECHOING SILENCE failed to live up to market expectations when only fifth on her hurdling debut at Navan in December, but she looks well worth another chance. It's interesting connections have now switched to this sphere, but it would be no surprise to see her make her first bumper start a winning one. Aisling Rose is a half-sister to bumper winner Queenohearts and if the market speaks in her favour, she would be of interest, along with point-to-point winner Broomfield Aderra.
Prediction : 1st Echoing Silence 2nd Aisling Rose 3rd Broomfield Aderra