UK Horse Racing Tips: Down Royal

MISS DOYENNE beat Cool Native in a point-to-point at Cragmore last year and the pair look the two to concentrate on. The Henry de Bromhead-trained mare won a bumper at Cork last spring and was third behind Sept Etoiles here over Christmas in a maiden hurdle that has worked out very well. She was probably unsuited by the testing ground when placed again subsequently at Punchestown. Cool Native also won between the flags last year and made a bright start over hurdles when third at Navan. Whispering Hopes was placed twice at Sligo last summer, but has disappointed since.
Prediction : 1st Miss Doyenne 2nd Cool Native 3rd Whispering Hopes

PLEASUREOFPRESSURE has shown promise on a number of occasions and may get off the mark at the 13th attempt. Philip Rothwell's charge has been placed on his latest three starts over similar trips, including behind Let Him B here last month. Dairy Force won a Kilbeggan maiden for Liam O'Brien and after joining Gordon Elliott this year, beat all bar Lips Freedom at Downpatrick a fortnight ago. Kp's Ladyofknock took advantage of a lowly mark when successful at Clonmel and it will be interesting to see how strong she is in the market after an absence of over a year.
Prediction : 1st Pleasureofpressure 2nd Dairy Force 3rd Kps Ladyofknock

Point-to-point winner ONLY FOR OUR MAN ran a cracker on his handicap debut when finishing strongly into second behind Umpire's Call at Naas. He appears to be quite versatile in terms of ground conditions and should relish this longer trip. Stardhem won twice over fences for Ben Pauling last year and made a great start for current connections when scoring over 3m at Cork, with Mistyburn over 11 lengths back in third. King Gris has won both starts in the UK since joining Gordon Elliott, but probably has more on his plate here.
Prediction : 1st Only For Our Man 2nd Stardhem 3rd King Gris

HEAD FOR HOME showed promise when runner-up to Pourquoi Poi in a 20-runner 2m4f handicap at Punchestown back in October and wasn't disgraced the following month at Tramore. He is without a run since, but the yard has been in better form of late and he's bred to appreciate this longer trip. Cozone impressed when beating Coppola by over seven lengths at Downpatrick a fortnight ago and may confirm that form on the revised terms. Others to consider include Duce Bigalow and the Cian Collins-trained pair Kellys Corner and Wakey Wakey Man.
Prediction : 1st Head For Home 2nd Cozone 3rd Coppola

SANDOR CLEGANE is without a win in three years, but may have been found a good opportunity to open his chasing account. The Paul Nolan-trained gelding was a smart novice hurdler, including when narrowly denied in the Albert Bartlett at the Cheltenham Festival (subsequently disqualified), but has been frustrating to follow over fences. He was far from disgraced in highly competitive handicaps on his latest two starts and this represents a drop in class. Meet And Greet was also Grade 1-placed over hurdles and rates a threat, while Ballybow can't be lightly discounted on his fourth to King Alexander over a similar trip at Gowran.
Prediction : 1st Sandor Clegane 2nd Meet And Greet 3rd Ballybow

ACLASS is forgiven a disappointing effort on his most recent run and is generally an able type at this level. A good stayer who is ideally suited by soft ground, he ran consistently well through the winter prior to his Tramore outing over hurdles on New Year's Day, which came just three days after a Limerick fourth in this sphere. The Gradual Slope is just 5lb higher than when scoring at Fairyhouse eight days ago and has obvious claims, despite today's different rider being unable to claim. Hello Jack disappointed at Leopardstown last month, but previously ran well at Fairyhouse in January.
Prediction : 1st Aclass 2nd The Gradual Slope 3rd Hello Jack

A YEAR OLDER was pulled up on his only previous chase outing, but showed improvement to score at big odds on his seasonal reappearance on New Year's Day and now has an attractive rating in this sphere. His form was poor prior to scoring at 40/1 at Fairyhouse and while he needs to replicate that ability, he races from 9lb lower than his new chase rating and clearly stays very well. Snow Punt has been running well and is tried in first-time cheekpieces. Plain Or Battered has yet to win over fences, but has good recent form.
Prediction : 1st A Year Older 2nd Snow Punt 3rd Plain Or Battered