UK Horse Racing Tips: Down Royal

INVINCIBLE IRISH is fancied to improve on his handicap debut, where he finished two lengths behind reopposing winner Santo Parvenue. Daniel McLoughlin's gelding is now 8lb better off with that rival. The Invincible Army gelding does have to reverse the form with a few of his rivals, but he is reasonably treated to do so. Santo Parvenue can progress from his breakthrough success and it will be interesting to see if retained blinkers have the same effect for a second time. C&D winner Premier View has a tough opening mark, especially as his maiden form has taken a few knocks since. Fellow handicap debutants Syrah and Annie Tips should be watched in the market beforehand.
Prediction : 1st Invincible Irish 2nd Santo Parvenue 3rd Premier View

NELLCOTE is chosen to double her tally in this competitive contest. The three-year-old daughter of Sottsass won a Limerick maiden on her second start and improved again when second on handicap debut, beating the reopposing Navy Waters by a short head. She is the pick of the yard's trio and may be able to portray her staying qualities. Navy Waters won this race last year off 11lb lower and has been running well in defeat since, so another bold bid is forecast. Stellar Moment finished half a length behind the selection in a maiden before winning a similar contest at Galway. She will be staying on and holds strong each-way claims.
Prediction : 1st Nellcote 2nd Navy Waters 3rd Stellar Moment

STAR GLORY sets the standard in this maiden with an official rating of 85. The Cotai Glory filly has twice finished runner-up to talented rivals in four starts and now seeks a first success. She was short of room last time and ran green once in the clear, but a reproduction of that run should be good enough to win this contest. Essence Of Time took a nice step forward from her debut when runner-up over C&D. Andy Oliver's first string can improve once again and give the selection most to think about. Spectrolyte was well backed on debut but ran too freely to post, so she could show more if she has matured.
Prediction : 1st Star Glory 2nd Essence Of Time 3rd Spectrolyte

DARING HEART was only headed close home when runner-up at Leopardstown in May and the form of that maiden has been well franked. Being by Kodi Bear, he ought to handle slower ground and he has a lovely low draw. Blooming Rose was blitzed by a well-regarded winner at Leopardstown in June and dropped to third, but is likely to come on from that run. It is worth noting that she landed a barrier trial at Naas in May and had a subsequent Listed winner behind her. Monmouth has the plum draw in one and gets first-time blinkers. Front-running tactics saw him improve to finish third at Limerick. Keogie and Orellana are others with chances.
Prediction : 1st Daring Heart 2nd Blooming Rose 3rd Monmouth

VENETIAN STAR is interesting with the in-form apprentice Reese Holohan on board. The Pat Foley-trained gelding should appreciate the forecast rain and races off an eye-catching mark once Holohan's 7lb claim is factored in. Alex Belardo is two from three at Down Royal and the return here should see him in a better light, especially with Nicola Burns claiming 5lb off his back. Greek Flower has been placed on all four previous visits to this venue and is another who enjoys cut in the ground. She is on a threatening mark if finding her form. This would be a significant drop in class for first reserve Barbapapa if he gets a run. However, he wouldn't want too much rain.
Prediction : 1st Venetian Star 2nd Alex Belardo 3rd Greek Flower

TASSAROLO gained his sole Flat success over a similar trip at Killarney. He is on a handy mark, especially with Mel Sheridan booked to claim 7lb, and he was a decent fourth on his latest outing over a trip that probably stretched his stamina. Chloe's Boy won't mind any rain that arrives being by Sottsass. He got off the mark with a game effort at Punchestown and could build upon that off 4lb higher. No More Hiding finished second over 1m5f here earlier this month and whilst Billy Lee keeps the partnership intact she is likely to be involved.
Prediction : 1st Tassarolo 2nd Chloes Boy 3rd No More Hiding

FLAGSTONE LADY's commanding course victory didn't go unnoticed by the handicapper, but she could be progressive enough to defy an 11lb rise. She had been finding her stride prior, highlighted with a placed effort at Roscommon on her penultimate start. She remains in the same grade, despite the hike in the weights, and that could be crucial. Augusta Rock secured his best finish when runner-up at this venue in July and he should be up to winning sooner rather than later. Thegooseiscooked finds it hard to win, but recent efforts suggest that he should be in contention.
Prediction : 1st Flagstone Lady 2nd Augusta Rock 3rd Thegooseiscooked

NOD OF APPROVAL went close in a three-year-old hurdle here last month and his efforts on the Flat prior to that stand up to scrutiny. A creditable fifth in the Apprentice Derby at the Curragh was followed by a keeping-on seventh in a higher grade at Galway. He carries bottom-weight on this occasion and Wayne Lordan is a notable booking. Rakki struck at Tramore and ought to go well for Willie Mullins and Ben Coen, while Flying Fortress hasn't been beaten far on his last two outings at Roscommon and is another leading contender. Earthsong won over further at Gowran Park two starts ago and is more than capable of getting involved too.
Prediction : 1st Nod Of Approval 2nd Rakki 3rd Flying Fortress