UK Horse Racing Tips: Epsom Downs

Traffic problems cost ROYAL DRESS dearly but she still managed a creditable third in this race 12 months ago. The daughter of Night Of Thunder went on to gain compensation for that luckless run with a Group 3 success at the Curragh the following month and has only been seen twice since. Having returned with another respectable third behind an impressive winner in the Middleton at York, James Tate's mare reverts to her optimum distance with a big chance of making her course experience count. Sirona has placed form at this level and poses a serious threat to the selection, while Bright Thunder and Skellet also have the calibre to be on the premises.
Prediction : 1st Royal Dress 2nd Sirona 3rd Bright Thunder

PERSICA was highly tried in the Lockinge at Newbury and is much better judged on his success in the Earl Of Sefton at Newmarket on his previous start. Dropping this previous course winner back to Group 3 company looks a logical and potentially profitable move. Docklands is dependable and boasts enough solid form to suggest he can be a serious player if he handles the track, while Royal Playwright is surely better than he managed in the Dante at York and could feasibly bounce back. Geography's German form stacks up well and he needs taking seriously.
Prediction : 1st Persica 2nd Docklands 3rd Royal Playwright

RUBY'S PROFIT has landed a plumb draw for a front-runner and it would be no surprise to see her blaze an unstoppable trail on the near side of the track. On the back of a comfortable success over the fast 5f at Goodwood, there is plenty to like, despite the Dr Richard Newland and Jamie Insole-trained filly being hit with a 6lb higher mark. From the lower numbers, Mademoiselle and Against The Wind appear to be strong candidates to hold sway on their side, while Cape Sovereign and Naana's Sparkle are a couple of others that also merit consideration.
Prediction : 1st Rubys Profit 2nd Mademoiselle 3rd Against The Wind

There is no shortage of early pace on show in this line-up and it might be worth taking a chance on last year's victor DREAM COMPOSER, who came from off the speed to land the spoils 12 months ago. James Evans' charge is 9lb higher this time around but April's Pontefract second proved he is more than capable of going close from a similar mark. Top-weight Clarendon House lost all chance when all but refusing to race last year though he'll be a force if breaking on terms. Spartan Arrow should relish a return to this venue, while the consistent Jm Jungle isn't one to discount.
Prediction : 1st Dream Composer 2nd Clarendon House 3rd Spartan Arrow

From the likes of Shergar to Galileo and Sea The Stars, all the way to City Of Troy, who was breathtaking in this 12 months ago, it takes a real superstar to land the jewel in the crown of the Flat season. Aidan O'Brien's typically strong contingent appears to be headed by Delacroix, whose dam Tepin has already produced a stout stayer in the form of stablemate Grateful - a winner of the Prix de Royallieu at Longchamp last season. The Lion In Winter had been long touted for this contest but his no-show in the Dante behind Pride Of Arras (winner) and Damysus (second), along with stall 19, tempers enthusiasm. That pair remain of considerable interest, though 2000 Guineas winner RULING COURT is taken to rubber-stamp his credentials as the leading three-year-old. The Justify colt enters unknown territory regarding stamina, but both trainer and jockey have been extremely bullish in the build up and the pair have seldom been wrong in the past. It would be fitting were Midak, who carries the colours of the late Aga Khan, to feature, and the unbeaten Footstepsinthesand colt should not be taken lightly.
Prediction : 1st Ruling Court 2nd Delacroix 3rd Pride Of Arras

Four-year-olds have had a real stranglehold on this contest in recent years, winning six of the seven previous renewals - and the progressive CANDYMAN STAN may well continue that trend. Andrew Balding's charge disappointed on soft ground in September but has not looked back since. Impressive on his return at Brighton in April before following up at Lingfield latest, a further 5lb rise in the handicap could still underestimate him. First-time cheekpieces could elicit further improvement within November Handicap fifth Valvano, who made a pleasing return at Goodwood last time. Asgard's Captain (winner) and Small Fry (third) clashed over C&D in April, with the pair likely to be closely matched once again.
Prediction : 1st Candyman Stan 2nd Valvano 3rd Asgards Captain

Richard Hannon won this contest with the subsequent Group 3 winner Persica in 2024 and a bold bid is expected from MEBLESH this year. The son of Sea The Stars landed a decent maiden at Newbury last month and could prove better than his opening mark now handicapping for the first time. Last month's Ascot third The Trickster remains unexposed and is one to note back over this longer distance, while War Hawk returned the ready winner at Chester a week ago and is entitled to be in the mix.
Prediction : 1st Meblesh 2nd The Trickster 3rd War Hawk

GET IT returned the surprise winner at Ascot last month, but there no fluke about it. He made all to break the track record and the runner-up has subsequently franked the form. George Baker's sprinter looks worth sticking with in his current frame of mind, despite a 7lb hike. A recent winner at Windsor, Circe arrives seeking a hat-trick and could prove competitive once again, while Strike Red would appreciate any cut in the ground and is preferred to the Kempton winner Drama.
Prediction : 1st Get It 2nd Circe 3rd Strike Red