Down Royal betting tips: Peter O'Hehir's selections…

Down Royal betting tips: Peter O'Hehir's selections for Saturday's horse racing action

Wave Of The Sea should make a bold bid to land the €100,000 Magners Ulster Derby for Joseph O’Brien and champion apprentice Shane Crosse in Down Royal.

The lightly-raced son of Born To Sea has achieved plenty since making his debut at Dundalk early last month and, open to further improvement and sure to stay today’s trip of almost a mile and five furlongs, Demi O’Byrne’s gelding has rock-solid each way claims in the traditional highlight of Down Royal’s flat season.

The selection attracted some late support ahead of his debut at Dundalk and, despite his inexperience, stayed on well in the closing stages to be third, beaten only a half-length by dead-heaters Aneczka and Vivax.

Wave Of the Sea built on that effort when making all to beta favourite Alakahan in a Sligo maiden a month ago.

And, allocated an initial mark of 78, Joseph O’Brien’s charge made a successful handicap debut on this track three weeks ago when, given a lead for most of the journey, he forged clear to beat Winiata by four lengths.

Wave Of the Sea went up 6lb. for that win. But he looks progressive and, expected t prove even more effective over today’s extra two furlongs, Crosse’s mount has solid claims in a typically competitive contest.

The hefty prize-fund has attracted three British challengers, including John Ryan’s Hiroshima, which finished eleventh behind Anthony Van Dyck in the Investec Derby in Epsom last time.

But the biggest threats to Wave Of The Sea might be stable-companion King’s Vow, up 11lb. for a convincing win at Leopardstown last time, and the Noel Meade-trained Dadoozdart.

The latter boats the best line of form on offer, having scored at Naas last time, beating South Pacific and Eminence, which boosted the form by finishing first and third in the King George V Handicap in Royal Ascot on Thursday.

The mount of Shane Foley, Dadoozdart received an 8lb. ‘hike’ for that success in Naas, but has a big chance here against the selection, Wave Of The Sea.

The Jessica Harrington-trained Camphor, which made it third-time-lucky when landing a Navan maiden last time, might prove the answer to the Weatherbys Ulster Oaks.

This Camelot filly stayed on stoutly to beat Simply Beautiful in Navan and, off mark of 78, might be capable of following-up against her older rivals.

Harrington and Shane Foley also have prospects with once-raced Invincible Diva, beaten a half-length by Mount Fuji on debut in Cork, in the opening Rainbow Communications 2-Y-0 Maiden.

And Gordon Elliott’s Aristocratic Man, runner-up to the high-class Japan at Listowel last September, but off the course since, should be noted in the finale, particularly if the market speaks in his favour.