UK Horse Racing Tips: Down Royal

Having missed the Windsor Castle at Royal Ascot, KANSAS is a highly appealing option by staying at home and is very much the one to beat based on the evidence of his three previous starts. Howd'yadoit and The Right One filled the runner-up spot behind the same opponent on their respective debuts and can fight it out for second place. Willofthepeople and Jack The Bachelor are interesting newcomers to also bear in mind.
Prediction : 1st Kansas 2nd Howdyadoit 3rd The Right One

EMERALD HARMONY won at Bellewstown in April and is only 1lb higher. She finished an encouraging fourth at Cork last week, so the daughter of Soldier's Call looks worth another chance on that evidence. The unexposed Shoney found the competition too hot at the Curragh last time, but she can make her presence felt in this lower grade, while Moral Turpitude could fare better with last month's comeback run under her belt.
Prediction : 1st Emerald Harmony 2nd Shoney 3rd Moral Turpitude

The key to this race looks to be the recent clash over C&D between Arctic Steps (first), BILLIE BE QUICK (second) and El Fontenaro (third), with Jessica Harrington's filly taken to score on this occasion. A winner over track and trip last September, the daughter of Belardo is only 1lb higher now and Keithen Kennedy taking off 5lb is a plus. A consistent sort of late over further, Vanderbilt House is another to consider on handicap debut.
Prediction : 1st Billie Be Quick 2nd Arctic Steps 3rd Vanderbilt House

Nouvel Espoir accounted for Mint Man (fifth) when going in by half a length at Cork last week and commands huge respect, despite being 6lb higher. However, SURPASS AND SHINE ran too badly to be true when only ninth at Navan last time and is possibly better judged on his success at Naas prior. If the four-year-old reproduces that level of form, he could be the one to beat. Cuban Grey completes the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Surpass And Shine 2nd Nouvel Espoir 3rd Cuban Grey

NORTH COAST made an introduction full of promise when running on into third in what appeared a warm maiden at the Curragh. The extra furlong is likely to play to his strengths and unless there is something well above average among the newcomers, he should make it second-time lucky. His stablemates Green Universe and Which Wolf Wins are high on the list of the debutants, although Ballydoyle colt World Tour cost 250,000 euros as a yearling and is probably the primary threat.
Prediction : 1st North Coast 2nd World Tour 3rd Green Universe

A winner at the Curragh in May, FREE SOLO gave a strong impression that he is capable of scoring off his current mark when second at Leopardstown last week. This return to a faster surface is another positive and a bold bid looks on the cards. On A Session may not be the force of old, but he is still capable at this level and won nicely here last time. He could be in the mix once again, while Shoot To Kill could also land a blow.
Prediction : 1st Free Solo 2nd On A Session 3rd Shoot To Kill

DISTILLATE is effective over 7f and reverting to her optimum distance can facilitate a return to wining ways for the Ado McGuinness-trained mare. Allied to that, the five-year-old runs off 4lb lower than her last winning mark and she is hard to oppose on these terms. Navorrosse also boasts respectable form over this trip and is feared most on that basis. Alex Belardo and Zero Fighter are others with good chances in a race of this nature.
Prediction : 1st Distillate 2nd Navorrosse 3rd Alex Belardo

JAMES THE SECOND was only worn down late in the piece when almost gaining a first career success at Limerick and a 2lb rise may not be enough to stop him going in at a track that should suit. Just over two lengths behind him on that occasion was Blue Wood (fifth), who is likely to be thereabouts, as is Saxon Kingdom, who struck at Gowran Park on his penultimate outing. Proven over C&D, having gone close in May, Bamako completes the shortlist, along with Mark's One.
Prediction : 1st James The Second 2nd Saxon Kingdom 3rd Blue Wood