Horse Racing tips: 6 slick picks at Down Royal on Saturday

Paddy Power's James Shortt fancies Galvin in the Champion Chase at 14:50.

Down Royal

* All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.

13:05 – Sea Sessions

The big day at Down Royal gets underway with a small field going to post for a 2m 1f juvenile hurdle, which has been won four times in the past six-seasons by Gordon Elliott. The Cullentra House team saddle Fil Dor this year with the youngster having a first Irish start following a second-place finish at Royan La Palmyre back in June. However, SEA SESSIONS receives weight from all her rivals with Ross O’Sullivan’s runner like to improve after a fine second on her hurdles debut at Punchestown.

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13:40 – Mighty Potter

Envoi Allen and Ballyadam were the last two winners of this maiden hurdle and Gordon Elliott should strike again with MIGHTY POTTER under Jack Kennedy. The four-year-old is a half-brother to French Dynamite and produced a stylish performance when winning a Punchestown bumper on debut in March. There’s little strength in depth for me amongst a big field of runners with Luke Short, Onlyhuman and The Greek the most obvious trio to follow Might Potter home.

14:15 – Light Brigade

This handicap hurdle looks a good contest with plenty in with solid changes including my selection LIGHT BRIGADE for Charles Byrnes and Jack Foley. The five-year-old progressed nicely to win back to back races earlier this year and has more fitness on his side after a recent spin on the flat at Listowel. The 5Ib claim of talented young rider Jack Foley is an added bonus with Future Proof and Yafordadoe looking the biggest dangers for me towards the bottom of the handicap.

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14:50 – Galvin

Gordon Elliott has sprung a few surprises in the feature Down Royal Champion Chase over the years and he might do again this year with Ronnie Barlett’s GALVIN. The seven-year-old is an out and out stayer and has been improving so much this year that connections believe a tilt at the 2022 Aintree National is the right plan this season. He has plenty to find on ratings with leading rivals but his ability to stay beyond this trip and having recent race fitness following Punchestown are positives.

There was added spice in the build-up to this race earlier in the week when everyone assumed Jack Kennedy would remain in the saddle on Gold Cup winner Minella Indo. However, a chat and decision by the Gigginstown brothers with Gordon Elliott saw Kennedy ride Delta Work on his seasonal return. Bryony Frost is another jockey in the news lately and she’ll be hoping to work her magic once again on Frodon, with the King George winner also returning after his latest win at Sandown in April.

16:00 – Weststreet

WESTSTREET is having only a second start for new trainer Gordon Elliott and can get back to winning ways having landed five career victories in the UK for Oliver Sherwood. The 11-year-old stays all day and produced a solid debut run for Elliott and the Core Partnership when fifth over hurdles at Limerick earlier this month. That was a first run since February and a rating of 104 over fences looks more than advantageous to give the Cullentra House team yet victory in this contest.

16:35 – American Mike

Champ De Gane made an encouraging debut when finishing a staying on second behind stablemate Ballycoose here at Down Royal back in May for Stuart Crawford. However, the Simon Munir and Isaac Souede owned runner looks more of staying chaser and might have to settle for second behind AMERICAN MIKE. It’s hard to get away from Gordon Elliott’s amazing record in this bumper and this horse could develop into another star after securing an easy point victory for Sean Doyle in April.

Down Royal betting tips:

13:05 – Sea Sessions
13:40 – Mighty Potter
14:15 – Light Brigade
14:50 – Galvin
16:00 – Weststreet
16:35 – American Mike

* All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.

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