UK Horse Racing Tips: Leopardstown

JON SNOW travelled well for a long way when third on his Irish debut at Cork last month and that form was handed a boost when the second won a Listed race at Navan a few weeks later. The four-year-old had been a bit of a 'talking' horse over the summer, and is fancied to take plenty of beating. The Bosses Oscar was second behind the talented Blue Sari at Punchestown six weeks ago and should give the selection much to ponder, while Somptueux can prove best of the remainder.
Prediction : 1st Jon Snow 2nd The Bosses Oscar 3rd Somptueux

ROCK DE BAUNE takes a bit of time to get going and isn't easy to catch right, but he has placed in some competitive races this season and would probably need to be winning this in order to line up in the Pertemps at Cheltenham in March. This big field should help to switch him off, and he is fancied to account for Mon Lino, who was second at Fairyhouse over fences four weeks ago. Tout Est Permis and The Storyteller are also worth watching.
Prediction : 1st Rock De Baune 2nd Mon Lino 3rd Tout Est Permis

ALLAHO placed in two Grade 1 novice hurdles over 3m towards the back end of last season and Willie Mullins' five-year-old has to be given the utmost respect on his chasing debut. Walk Away only found Faugheen too good at Punchestown last time out and he should be in the mix once again, while Easy Game and Rhinestone are others to note.
Prediction : 1st Allaho 2nd Walk Away 3rd Easy Game

APPLE'S JADE has been a bit disappointing in both starts this season but the application of first-time cheekpieces could spark an improved performance and the seven-year-old can add another victory in this race to her record. Bacardys finished a place in front of the selection in the Hatton's Grace and is an obvious threat as he also beat her at Navan in November. The veteran Unowhatimeanharry should not be underestimated, while Penhill completes the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Apples Jade 2nd Bacardys 3rd Unowhatimeanharry

DALTON HIGHWAY ran well off this mark (finishing fifth) on his latest hurdles outing at Galway in August and, having shaped encouragingly in three Flat outings since, he looks sure to run a big race under Jack Kennedy. The Church Gate is 11lb higher than when winning this contest 12 months ago but he is fancied to give another good account, while Encore Lui, Cherif De L'Isle and Goodbye Someday are other names to note.
Prediction : 1st Dalton Highway 2nd The Church Gate 3rd Encore Lui

KEMBOY was an emphatic winner of this race 12 months ago and can successfully defend his crown. He progressed throughout last season, claiming the Betway Bowl and Punchestown Gold Cup, and although he has to concede race-fitness to his main rivals, his class should see him through. Road To Respect readily got the better of subsequent King George hero Clan Des Obeaux at Down Royal and he rates the biggest threat, ahead of John Durkan third Presenting Percy.
Prediction : 1st Kemboy 2nd Road To Respect 3rd Presenting Percy

FERNY HOLLOW was all the rage heading into his Rules debut at Fairyhouse 27 days ago and although having to settle for second, he was a big eye-catcher. Fiercely keen throughout and hanging left late on, he did well to finish as close as he did that day and hopefully he will have learnt plenty from the experience. If so, he will take some stopping. Fakiera is the obvious danger having finished fourth in a valuable sales bumper at Fairyhouse in April, with Forged In Fire the most interesting newcomer.
Prediction : 1st Ferny Hollow 2nd Fakiera 3rd Forged In Fire