UK Horse Racing Tips: Down Royal

A winner at Ballinrobe on his second start over hurdles, NICKY LARSON can follow up. Following a promising introduction at Limerick, the Paul Nolan-trained gelding built on that run to open his account at the County Mayo track. Despite having to carry a penalty now, he looks the most solid option. Third to the selection at Ballinrobe, No Bother Aoife is entitled to get closer at the revised weights. With the Gavin Cromwell horses back firing on all cylinders after a quiet spell, the daughter of Cotai Glory holds decent claims. Nod Of Approval was one of the highest rated of these on the Flat and is entitled to improve from his debut in that aforementioned Ballinrobe contest.
Prediction : 1st Nicky Larson 2nd No Bother Aoife 3rd Nod Of Approval

Just touched off in handicap company at Tramore recently, RARE TIMES can open her account back in a maiden. A lightly raced four-year-old, the Margaret Mullins-trained filly has been steadily improving with each run. Stepping back up in trip here should suit the daughter of Affinisea and she looks the one to beat. Jo's Secret had her excuses when pulled up at Bellewstown last month so it would be no surprise to see the Tony Martin-trained mare bounce back. Sent off favourite on that occasion, she had been placed on her previous two starts over flights. Point-to-point winner Tanga Mugi is an interesting contender on her hurdling debut and should be noted in the market.
Prediction : 1st Rare Times 2nd Jos Secret 3rd Tanga Mugi

HOPEFUL HERO disappointed when sent off favourite at Galway last time but is worth another chance to recover losses. A winner at Bellewstown on his previous start, the Tom Hogan-trained gelding had his excuses when failing to fire at Ballybrit. A lightly raced son of Raven's Pass, the five-year-old remains open to improvement over hurdles and has to be a leading contender. Lips Freedom was another that didn't live up to expectations at Galway having come into the meeting on the back of two victories. Well-handicapped relative to his Flat form, the Free Eagle gelding shouldn't be discounted. Home By The Sea ran better than the result suggests at Ballinrobe recently having been badly hampered two out and could also get involved.
Prediction : 1st Hopeful Hero 2nd Lips Freedom 3rd Home By The Sea

This looks a good opportunity for the Gordon Elliott-trained WACKESTONE to register a first career win. Lightly raced on the Flat, the son of Australia was placed in two decent maiden hurdles over the winter. Although failing to build on that initial promise in subsequent starts, this looks an ordinary contest and he holds solid claims. Runner-up in a Curragh maiden when last seen on the Flat in September, Santa Domingo catches the eye on his stable/hurdling bow, while Hidden Empire shaped with a degree of promise in a Roscommon bumper on his recent debut.
Prediction : 1st Wackestone 2nd Santa Domingo 3rd Hidden Empire

With an official rating of 147, ROCKY'S DIAMOND sets the standard. Michael Kenneally takes a further 5lb off his back and with first-time cheekpieces also applied, last year's Grade 2 winner looks to have plenty in his favour as he bids for a sixth career success. Reverend Hubert has to concede weight to the selection, despite being rated 7lb lower. It won't be easy for Charles Byrnes' eight-year-old but he nonetheless rates the danger, while Clay Pigeons has to be considered despite taking a big step up in class.
Prediction : 1st Rockys Diamond 2nd Reverend Hubert 3rd Clay Pigeons

FIRE CORAL can repeat last year's win in this race. Lightly raced during the interim, the Sea The Stars mare prepped for this with a decent effort on the Flat at Tramore earlier this month. 6lb higher than when winning 12 months ago, most of that burden is offset by the capable Michael Kenneally's allowance, and the seven-year-old could go close. Sneddy Eddie opened his account for Gordon Elliott at Downpatrick last time and has scope for further improvement over hurdles, while Knocknagoran Lady could also get involved.
Prediction : 1st Fire Coral 2nd Sneddy Eddie 3rd Knocknagoran Lady

A winner on her debut at Cork last month, the Ross O'Sullivan-trained HILLY FILLY can follow up. A half-sister to some decent sorts, the four-year-old did well to score at the first attempt, having been hampered and forced wide turning into the straight. Entitled to have come on from the experience, she could easily prove a bit better than the bare form of that race. Point-to-point winner Missouri Snow made a winning racecourse debut in a Sligo bumper earlier this month. The Nigel Slevin-trained mare is clearly a smart type and has to be respected. Wexford runner-up Bredas Pearl receives weight from the previous winners and also has to enter calculations.
Prediction : 1st Hilly Filly 2nd Missouri Snow 3rd Bredas Pearl