UK Horse Racing Tips: Down Royal

KARA SACRE makes a lot of sense in the opener. Paul Nolan's charge won a point-to-point impressively prior to finishing a creditable second on his hurdling bow at Naas last month and he should go very close now sporting a first-time hood. Ivybrook finished second behind Romeo Coolio here in November and is a player on that form, while Big Dee has won a bumper at this venue and now tackles hurdles for the first time.
Prediction : 1st Kara Sacre 2nd Ivybrook 3rd Big Dee

COYOTE SPIRIT took a step forward on only his second start for the Gordon Elliott yard to justify favouritism in a bumper at Bellewstown last month. The seven-year-old looks to have found an ideal opportunity to get off the mark over hurdles. Fairbanks was victorious in some valuable handicaps on the Flat for Andrew Balding and has to be respected on his first outing over timber for the William Durkan stable. Any market confidence behind Timeless Treaty would be interesting.
Prediction : 1st Coyote Spirit 2nd Fairbanks 3rd Timeless Treaty

A change of scenery worked the oracle for MALBAS at Fairyhouse last month. He finally opened his account over timber with a cosy success on his first start for Edward Buckley's yard and may well defy a 9lb rise. Tubberfinn Lady can also feature on the back of winning at Kilbeggan in fine style, while Quinn The Eskimo remains unexposed over timber and is preferred to Fort Randall of the remainder.
Prediction : 1st Malbas 2nd Tubberfinn Lady 3rd Quinn The Eskimo

TIMMY TUESDAY can be excused his heavy defeat over an inadequate extended 2m3f at Punchestown six days ago and he makes grand appeal faced with a stiffer test of stamina. Gordon Elliott's charge had previously finished a cracking second at Aintree and a similar performance may suffice. Stablemate Clodders Dream has something to prove after pulling up at Fairyhouse a fortnight ago, so a bigger threat may emerge from the in-form Topgun Simmy.
Prediction : 1st Timmy Tuesday 2nd Topgun Simmy 3rd Clodders Dream

ENCANTO BRUNO returned from a break over C&D last month when proving no match for Pied Piper. That said, Gavin Cromwell's charge doesn't face a rival of that calibre on this occasion and is expected to come out on top. Baltic Bird ran with credit in a Ballinrobe handicap hurdle and is an interesting recruit to chasing, while Big Stage is likely to be competitive dropping back in trip after finishing fifth at Navan in March.
Prediction : 1st Encanto Bruno 2nd Baltic Bird 3rd Big Stage

A winner over C&D on her penultimate start, SEA ASTER was always going to face a stiff test in the Listed race in which she unseated at Fairyhouse last time. This is more attainable and it could be worth forgiving that mishap. Fellow track-and-trip winner Smitty Bacall is another solid contender, while Quest With Speed and Hardwired should also be competitive.
Prediction : 1st Sea Aster 2nd Smitty Bacall 3rd Quest With Speed

Having recorded a hat-trick between the flags in recent months, MY LIFE BE LIKE could be one to follow on his Rules debut. The son of Getaway has made light work of his opposition and he's marginally preferred to Bold Fury. The six-year-old arrives on the back of a good second over an extended 2m3f at this course and the step up in trip is unlikely to prevent another bold bid. Sampoet and Justlikejessejames complete the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st My Life Be Like 2nd Bold Fury 3rd Sampoet

TEST THE MARKET accounted for Leopard D'irlande (seventh) when showing a good amount of improvement to finish fourth at Ballinrobe last month and should have more improvement in him. Gordon Elliott's four-year-old might only need to reproduce that level of form in order to get off the mark. Jodoro is related to three French Flat winners and it would be interesting if the market speaks in his favour on debut.
Prediction : 1st Test The Market 2nd Jodoro 3rd Leopard Dirlande