WATCH FREE

Johnny Ward's Friday tips: Limerick, Down Royal and Ascot selections

Last Updated: Thu 18 Jun 2026

Top tips for Friday! Irish racing expert Johnny Ward has selections for the action at Limerick and Down Royal, live on Racing TV, plus one at Royal Ascot.

FREE Racing TV Flat Season Gilet

Click here to claim yours now!

4.10 Limerick: Elusive Path

2/1

Robbie Colgan retains the ride, having gotten a fine response from this newcomer at Fairyhouse last time out.

The key here is the likely soft or heavy ground as, being by Elusive Pimpernel, he is likely to want further than this, so his stamina will be an asset.

His form entitles him to go very close as it is, and the yard's strike-rate in June is a whopping 44 per cent, at the time of writing.

4.47 Limerick: Rebel Wave

7/1

I recall reporting at Down Royal, when Rebel Wave was last seen, that seven furlongs would prove problematic for her. She races over that trip again here, but things change radically due to the rain, and she makes plenty of appeal at the likely odds, being by New Bay.

Her debut effort very much prompted thoughts of the future and, moreover, she cost €280,000 as a yearling.

5.00 Ascot: Mixed Feelings

T: Joseph Patrick O'Brien

28/1

Her latest effort at Naas was disappointing, but there were trip-related queries.

She was awesome when winning a decent maiden at Leopardstown by six lengths prior to that, and this one-time Guineas entry is worth a shot off 92 under Dylan Browne McMonagle for Joseph O'Brien.

5.20 Limerick: Zenford

T: John Patrick Murtagh

2/1

Hardly any of these are proven on the ground and, regardless of that, Zenford looks the one to beat based on his latest effort where he finished a narrow second on his handicap debut at the Curragh.

5.40 Down Royal: Shadow Of The Moon

7/2

Her latest effort, when finishing last, at the Curragh was disappointing, and I tipped her that day, but she was only 9-1 in a 22-runner Premier Handicap.

Returns to the course and distance of her easy maiden win, is now down to a rating of 74, and Sarahmae, the favourite here, faces a 10lb hike for her Cork win last time out.

Featured offers

Bet £10 Get £40 in free bets + Money back 2nd to SP fav with BOYLE SportsT&Cs Apply

Claim Now

Boyle Sports: Bet £10 Get £40 in free bets + Money back 2nd to SP fav with BOYLE Sports

Bet £10 get £30 in Free Bets with TalkSportBetT&Cs Apply

Claim Now

TalkSportBet: Bet £10 get £30 in Horse Racing Free Bets

Get up to a £25 Bonus + 50 free spins with GentingT&Cs Apply

Claim Now

Significant terms: Automatically credited upon 1st Deposit (min £10). Max Bonus £25. Game: Big Bass Bonanza, Spin Value: £0.1. WR 10x Bonus (only Slots count). WR 10x free spin winnings (only Slots count). Max bet is 10% (min £0.10) of the free spin winnings and bonus or £5 (lowest applies). Bonus Policy applies.

Get a £50 free bet when you bet £50 with CoralT&Cs Apply

Claim Now

Coral: Get a £50 free bet when you bet £50

5.50 Limerick: Fratas

T: Joseph Patrick O'Brien

9/2

The more rain the better, and she's very hard to oppose on her yard debut for Joseph O'Brien, for all that there is a danger she will be a bit short of fitness here.

6.27 Limerick: Saint Seren

8/1

The more rain the better, and she is likely to offer value at the odds, given her profile. A big run is expected, with Ben Coen riding for the first time.