UK Horse Racing Tips: Leicester

ZULU ZANDER only found a couple of decent prospects too good when filling third place in the Brocklesby at Doncaster on Saturday and that experience could prove to be vital, given that all of his rivals are newcomers. Foad makes plenty of appeal having cost 125,000gns and he shares his page with the top-class juvenile performers Tiggy Wiggy and Masta Plasta. Mr Fudge represents the yard that won the Brocklesby and his half-brother struck in early April, for the same connections, as a two-year-old last year. Others to consider are Sir Gordon and Six Gun.
Prediction : 1st Zulu Zander 2nd Foad 3rd Mr Fudge

MR BUTTONS displayed plenty of promise in four starts as a juvenile and his rating of 77 suggests that he could be hard to beat today, despite the 294-day break. Plumette is a stablemate of the selection and she could also go well if transferring her best all-weather form to the turf. The shortlist is completed by Chains Of Love and Beleaguerment.
Prediction : 1st Mr Buttons 2nd Plumette 3rd Chains Of Love

THEMAXWECAN made a winning debut at Bath in October and he confirmed that was no fluke by following up at Chelmsford. That form has been boosted with the second, fourth and fifth all winning since and it will take a good one to beat him here, despite having to carry a 10lb penalty. Landa Beach has to be respected following his Newbury victory as a juvenile, while Fox Fearless and Technician are others who bring solid form to the table. Arthur Pendragon is arguably the pick of the newcomers having cost 130,000gns as a yearling, and his half-sister won at Listed level.
Prediction : 1st Themaxwecan 2nd Landa Beach 3rd Fox Fearless

NATURAL HISTORY remains lightly raced for a horse his age and bumped into a rival who went on to place at Listed level when finishing second on heavy ground at Haydock when last seen in September. This quicker surface should be more to his liking and he may improve for a gelding operation over the winter. Showroom has won both of his previous starts and although an opening mark of 90 is not a gift, it would be no surprise to see him go well. Petrastar makes plenty of appeal having hit the crossbar in all three starts last year, and his initial rating appears fair.
Prediction : 1st Natural History 2nd Showroom 3rd Petrastar

KUPA RIVER landed a gamble at Wolverhampton and promises to be suited by this extra furlong now on turf. The five-year-old accounted for a couple of decent yardsticks and should have more to offer for Roger Fell. Astrospeed defied a 10lb rise to complete a Kempton double back in February and appeals as one who will do even better against stronger company. Vixen was a back-to-back scorer last summer under Ed Greatrex and warrants a market check now trained by Emma Lavelle.
Prediction : 1st Kupa River 2nd Astrospeed 3rd Vixen

Dual course scorer Firmdecisions is back on his last winning mark and merits consideration, while Evening Attire ran better than his finishing position suggested at Lingfield and could go well. Stealth Fighter only beat an exposed maiden at Beverley when scoring on debut and failed to follow up in two all-weather attempts, and a chance can be taken on STAR SHIELD. Successful in one of three appearances for Roger Varian, the four-year-old has been handed an opening mark of 77, which new trainer David O'Meara will be keen to exploit in this early stage of the season.
Prediction : 1st Star Shield 2nd Stealth Fighter 3rd Firmdecisions

OASIS PRINCE shaped as though he would benefit markedly from the experience when fifth on debut at Wolverhampton, and the half-brother to Group 3 winner Rare Rhythm is certainly bred to take a big step forward, both here and throughout the season. Any market support for Richard Fahey's 75,000-pound yearling Noble Prospector would be worth noting. Fellow newcomers Hat Yai and San Sebastian are others to keep an eye on.
Prediction : 1st Oasis Prince 2nd Noble Prospector 3rd Hat Yai

Cheerfilly was a little disappointing on stable debut for Archie Watson, but she now wears first-time blinkers and returns to a course where she has a fine record. However, the five-year-old has ground to make up on DASHING POET, who was second in that Lingfield event three weeks ago but might have won if she had a better position on the turn for home. Elixsoft can prove best of the remainder.
Prediction : 1st Dashing Poet 2nd Cheerfilly 3rd Elixsoft