UK Horse Racing Tips: Leopardstown

ELIXIR D'AINAY appears to have the upper hand on Longhouse Poet, beating Martin Brassil's charge in a 2m3f maiden before finishing a place in front of him when chasing home Envoi Allen in the 2m4f Lawlor's Of Naas Novice Hurdle. The six-year-old is likely to improve again for stretching out in trip and he could provide Willie Mullins with his seventh victory in this race from the last nine years. His biggest danger might be Latest Exhibition, who readily beat subsequent Moscow Flyer winner Andy Dufresne in Grade 2 company at Navan, while Cobbler's Way won gamely here over Christmas and rates a live outsider.
Prediction : 1st Elixir DAinay 2nd Latest Exhibition 3rd Longhouse Poet

CHACUN POUR SOI has hugely impressive in both starts last season, particularly when beating Defi Du Seuil at the Punchestown Festival, and he travelled like much the best horse here over Christmas only to tire late on and give way to A Plus Tard. Although the latter is clearly a serious talent himself and demands respect, Willie Mullins' charge is fancied to take giant strides forward from that comeback run and reverse placings en route to a devastating win. Min chases a hat-trick of victories in this race and shouldn't be underestimated, likewise stablemate Cilaos Emery.
Prediction : 1st Chacun Pour Soi 2nd A Plus Tard 3rd Min

NOTEBOOK appeared to beat Fakir D'Oudairies (second) and Royal Rendezvous (third) fair and square over C&D on St Stephen's Day and, 2lb better off with Joseph O'Brien's runner, he can confirm that form and maintain his unbeaten record over fences. The forward-going Cash Back has been impressive in two chase starts and, along with Fakir D'Oudairies, will ensure there is a good gallop. That should suit the likes of Melon and Bapaume, who will be waiting in the wings and looking to pounce late.
Prediction : 1st Notebook 2nd Melon 3rd Fakir DOudairies

Quamino deserves a mention having won this race off a 4lb lower mark last year, but others make greater appeal. The one that stands out is PALOMA BLUE, who has been seen, and performed well, numerous times in Grade 1 races and Henry de Bromhead's charge likes it here, winning twice and finishing third from three visits. Both efforts on ground softer than ideal this season have been encouraging and everything looks in place for him to run a huge race. Snugsborough Hall warmed up for this with a spin over hurdles at Cork and he seldom lets his supporters down, while Eclair De Beaufeu has some form that ties in nicely with the high-class Notebook.
Prediction : 1st Paloma Blue 2nd Snugsborough Hall 3rd Eclair De Beaufeu

Sharjah loves it around here (would be a three-time course winner but for a last-flight in the 2017 Future Champions) and looked as well as ever when beating Petit Mouchoir (second), Aramon (fourth) and Klassical Dream (fifth) in the Matheson over Christmas. He is rock solid and should go close, but unbeaten mare HONEYSUCKLE shades the verdict in receipt of 7lb. Although there are question marks over the trip and going left-handed (won her point going this way round), she has yet to put a foot wrong in six hurdle starts and it will be tough for the rest to get past her. Klassical Dream had excuses last time, jumped big and making a mistake at the fourth, but this ground will be lively enough again for him.
Prediction : 1st Honeysuckle 2nd Sharjah 3rd Klassical Dream

Leading owner JP McManus has won the last couple of runnings of this race (both with Off You Go) and he has three solid chances today. Top Moon drops back in trip following a solid placed effort over 2m4f at Navan and could figure, while Sire Du Berlais was an eye-catching fourth at Warwick and can't be ruled out off this 3lb lower mark. However, the one that appeals most is UNEXCEPTED, who made a big impression when scoring over this trip at Fairyhouse and wasn't disgraced at Limerick on St Stephen's Day, travelling powerfully but unable to quicken on the heavy ground. Cutting back half a mile on this slicker surface will suit, and he could be well treated off a mark of 137. His stablemate Buildmeupbuttercup also has a solid chance, with the dropped-in-class Embittered another name to note.
Prediction : 1st Unexcepted 2nd Buildmeupbuttercup 3rd Embittered

Eric Bloodaxe confirmed his Fairyhouse victory over Ferny Hollow to be no fluke when scoring here over Christmas (Wide Receiver second) and this speedy five-year-old warrants plenty of respect chasing down the hat-trick, but APPRECIATE IT gets the nod in receipt of 2lb. An impressive 2m4f winner here 36 days ago, Patrick Mullins is unlikely to be hanging about on the son of Jeremy and he could take the sting out of his rivals. He improved a fair bit from his first to second start and, worryingly for those in opposition, is likely to take another step forward. Risk Factor and Fantasio D'alene bring solid form to the table, while Lieutenant Command was impressive on debut at Limerick and can't be ruled out either.
Prediction : 1st Appreciate It 2nd Eric Bloodaxe 3rd Risk Factor

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