Race trainer Gordon Elliott sets sights on familiar objective as top performer aims for third consecutive win in Sunday Series races – betting advice from various tracks
Gordon Elliott's Arch Empire Favoured for Downpatrick Hurdle Victory
Gordon Elliott's Arch Empire is set to contest the 2m2f rated hurdle at Downpatrick on August 10, 2025, aiming to secure a third consecutive victory for the trainer in this event.
The five-year-old has shown impressive form this season, winning over hurdles at Ballinrobe in April and placing in three flat starts, including a strong showing on soft ground over 1m6f at Killarney. Jack Kennedy, who will ride Arch Empire for its return to hurdling, noted the horse's good form and the advantage of carrying 4lb less than topweight Redwood Queen.
Arch Empire starts as the strong favourite at 8/13 odds, with Dollar Value and Catena Zapata posing the main threats. However, Elliott's confidence in Arch Empire's chances is evident, with the trainer commenting that the horse "has a nice win in him" in this small field.
Meanwhile, at Wolverhampton, Zaraquelle, a filly recently moved from Ed Dunlop's yard, will make its first start for James Owen's yard in the 1m4f handicap (4.07). Zaraquelle has good all-weather form and finished fourth in its last race over hurdles at Uttoxeter. James Owen has a 33% strike-rate (3-9) in three-year-old handicaps at Wolverhampton, providing a promising outlook for Zaraquelle's debut for the new yard.
In the same meeting, Waiting For Love, trained by James Tate, will contest the 1m1⁄2f handicap (5.07). The horse has been in good form, winning at Wolverhampton in March, and will be looking to build on that success.
Elsewhere, Half Sovereign, trained by Karl Burke, will run in the Leicester nursery after winning well over seven furlongs at Ayr. Boiling Over, another Burke-trained runner, will also contest the Leicester nursery, aiming to break its maiden following two close runner-up finishes.
Lorna B, a three-year-old filly trained by Seb Spencer, is on a hat-trick following victories at Thirsk and Carlisle. The filly, who has been raised 3lb to a mark of 81, will be ridden by Dale Swift in the 1m4f handicap (4.07) at Wolverhampton.
With several horses in good form and advantageous conditions, the racing action at Downpatrick and Wolverhampton promises to be exciting.
Horse-racing returns to Downpatrick on August 10, 2025, with Arch Empire favoured to secure a third consecutive victory in the 2m2f rated hurdle, having shown impressive form this season. Meanwhile, at Wolverhampton, the racing action also promises to be exciting, with several horses in good form.
