Free horse racing tips for Down Royal on Tuesday

After all seven favourites won at Thurles on Sunday, the market leaders at Down Royal on Tuesday have plenty to live up to.

Gordon Elliott is likely to have the first of them in the shape of Doctor Bravo in the opening maiden hurdle; one of nine runners on the card for the trainer.

Elliott is having an unusually quiet time of it, having had just one winner from 47 runners since January 2. Half of those beaten runners have gone off at single-figure odds, with his four runners at Thurles on Sunday all running poorly.

He will probably have a hatful of winners now I’ve highlighted his lean patch, but it is something to keep in mind. I have three fancies on the card.

12.40 Down Royal: The Big Doyen

There are 20 runners in the opener but it’s not difficult to imagine The Big Doyen and Doctor Bravo dominating the finish.

The latter did little wrong when runner-up to Dark Raven at Leopardstown on his hurdling bow, but The Big Doyen makes more appeal after his near-misses in similarly big fields at Fairyhouse and Punchestown.

He was first past the post on the latter occasion but lost the race in the stewards’ room after carrying the runner-up, Nucky Johnson, to his right in the closing stages. That horse had previously been a good third to Three Card Brag (who has subsequently twice gone close in graded company) to Galway, while the third home, Hunters Yarn, has since easily won.

1.15 Down Royal: The Gradual Slope

The booking of Cian Quirke for The Gradual Slope catches the eye, and the combination can click at the first time of asking.

The Gradual Slope was confirming earlier promise when the emphatic winner of a maiden hurdle at Kilbeggan in June and shaped as if he would improve for the run when not disgraced at Leopardstown over Christmas, when switched to handicap ranks.

He stays further but he is usually ridden up near the pace and his stamina should come into play. This looks an easier assignment than last time and Quirke is close to losing his 7lb claim after having four winners from his past 18 rides – all of them in fields of 13 or more.

3.35 Down Royal: Angels Dawn

The Sam Curling-trained eight-year-old is also engaged in Thursday’s Goffs Thyestes Chase but, languishing out of the handicap for that showpiece, it makes sense to instead head here.

Angels Dawn’s exploits over hurdles included being touched off by Frontal Assault (rated 142 over fences) in Grade Three company at Navan and she showed she would soon be winning over fences when unlucky not win at Punchestown on New Year’s Eve, when an error at the final fence cost her victory.

She’s been pushed up 4lb in the ratings, to 122, but that is offset by that man Quirke taking off 7lb. The combination rate nap material.