UK Horse Racing Tips: Leopardstown

TALACRE clearly ran into one on debut at Bellewstown and can go one better. This full sister to unbeaten Classic winner Siskin went off favourite for that fillies' maiden, but was no match for the impressive Pretty Gorgeous. The form looks decent, though, as the fourth home came out and won a fillies' maiden in Limerick. The better ground should suit this American-bred filly. She has Group 1 and Group 2 entries. American Pharaoh filly Nicest holds entries up to and including Group 1 level as well, and could go nicely on debut. Simply Incredible is related to plenty of winners and is an obvious threat starting out for Aidan O'Brien. His Willow attempted to make all in the Curragh before coming home fourth, and should come on considerably from that run. She is a half sister to former Chesham winner September. Lovely Esteem was an expensive purchase at the Sales and is worth monitoring in the market.
Prediction : 1st Talacre 2nd Nicest 3rd Simply Incredible

A hot-looking race. FERNANDO VICHI put in plenty of powerful late work before failing by the minimum margin at Navan, so makes plenty of appeal. He has the same mile trip to negotiate, and holds a Group 2 entry so is well thought of. Gavin Ryan's 5lb claim could be crucial with any number of improvers to beat. Fight Zone must have been showing up well at home as he was sent off favourite on debut for a decent maiden at the Curragh. He couldn't go with the leaders at the business end and came in fifth. The runner-up has since obliged. It would be fair to assume there is much more to come from Group One National Stakes entry Fight Zone. Brazil is a full brother to Irish Derby winner Capri and could leave behind his debut fourth on rain-softened ground at Navan (behind Fernando Vichi). He also has the top-level entry and is given plenty of respect. Benaud is well named being by Australia, and adds further spice to the mix.
Prediction : 1st Fernando Vichi 2nd Fight Zone 3rd Brazil

There ought to be more races in SHONA MEA off a rating of 61. She got off the mark by a length over this trip at Gowran Park in June, and then got caught in the closing stages off 9lb higher in Limerick. Another 2lb has been tacked on, however, both the winner and the third in Limerick have scored since to strengthen the form. She has the ideal berth in stall one if Shane Foley wants to dictate throughout again. Miss Cunning fairly rattled home to win by a nose in Dundalk, however, her turf form isn't as convincing and she is also unproven over a mile so may be best watched. Take My Hand won over seven at this course last week and, afterwards, her trainer Michael Mulvany was optimistic she would stay a mile. Philly's Hope looks dangerous off a low weight after keeping on for third on the line behind Take My Hand (after being gambled on). Scholastic reappears under the 6lb penalty for winning in Limerick on Friday, and will be on many shortlists although stall 16 is far from ideal.
Prediction : 1st Shona Mea 2nd Take My Hand 3rd Phillys Hope

DARK MAGIC is clearly in rude health and could defy his big weight. He won a mile handicap at Naas under Donagh O'Connor before just failing by a nose to catch the winner in Dundalk. In both of those contests he was strong at the business end. The Invincible Spirit gelding has a lovely draw in stall one to work from. Stellaire Enfant gave young jockey Ryan Sexton a dream spin, on his first racecourse ride, to win by half a length at Limerick over the same trip. She is in-foal and a threat, as a horse showing better form albeit she has the mandatory penalty to carry. The 10-year-old Paddytheirishman ran some race for a horse rated 35 (and priced at 100/1) when finishing third in a seven-furlong handicap at this venue last week, but has to back it up now.
Prediction : 1st Dark Magic 2nd Stellaire Enfant 3rd Paddytheirishman

Colin Keane is a significant booking for OUT ON FRIDAY who has been running into form. Philip Byrne's charge was headed close home when runner-up over nine furlongs at Tipperary, and caught in the final 50 yards when finishing fourth over course and distance at the start of the month. He could be ready to make the breakthrough, and merits each-way support. Hat-trick-seeking Rain Or Shine sets the standard. Both of her recent successes, in Dundalk and Fairyhouse, came over seven furlongs. She has questions to answer over a mile, though. She is an in-form filly boxed in stall one and has reportedly strengthened up, so the ingredients are all there if she is as effective over a mile now. Gatsby Cap showed a semblance of a return to form when fourth in Killarney. This is a drop in class for him and Conor Maxwell eases his burden by 3lb. He can get involved in the distribution of prize money.
Prediction : 1st Out On Friday 2nd Rain Or Shine 3rd Gatsby Cap

BOLLEVILLE ought to be taken very seriously on Irish debut for Joseph O'Brien. She was a wide-margin winner of three races in France, including in Listed company in November. The four-year-old Camelot filly ought to be ready to go after her last placed effort in Listed class in May, and should be an each-way price for her backers. She is ground versatile and it is worth noting that this strong stayer holds an entry in the Irish St Leger. Keats is a major threat. It was interesting to read the quotes from jockey Wayne Lordan after he won on him over a mile in Killarney. He said he felt the last day (when runner-up over this trip to better fancied stablemate Napa Valley in the Curragh) that he would have every chance of getting a mile and a half and he still thought the same after winning in Killarney. If similar forcing tactics are used in this contest he could keep the gallop up, in receipt of the three-year-old allowance, over this 10-furlong trip. This is a drop in class for former Irish Derby winner Latrobe, and with a mark of 111 he could take advantage, but he has plenty of weight to give away. The admirable Bowerman isn't out of it.
Prediction : 1st Bolleville 2nd Keats 3rd Latrobe

LIQUID LUCK was outgunned by the odds-on favourite over a similar trip in Limerick, but can get off the mark here. He was beaten a length by Great House, who is thought of as stakes class and, indeed, holds an entry in the Irish St Leger. There was plenty of merit in Liquid Luck's effort particularly as he was nicely clear of the third home. He has only had three runs, so there should be plenty more to come from him. Moktamel has been a beaten favourite on three occasions since his last win, but certainly has the ability to win one of these. He has a victory and seven places in his locker. Place Des Vosges was a good winner at the Curragh this month. She got hit with a 10lb hike for that, though, which makes life more difficult. In addition, Gavin Ryan can't claim his 5lb in this apprentice race, so effectively she is 15lb higher. Mr Mooj was a winner over a mile, and kept on for third over a mile and a quarter in Fairyhouse. He is lightly raced, and well worth a shot at this step up in trip. The son of Camelot could be the biggest danger.
Prediction : 1st Liquid Luck 2nd Mr Mooj 3rd Moktamel

Very competitive fare. AIRGEAD won over course and distance at the start of the month, and has prospects of following up. He was clearly in very good heart as the cut in the ground wasn't ideal for him, but he still travelled well and picked off the leader near the finish. A 4lb rise isn't insurmountable on ground that will be more to his liking. Both of his career victories have come in Foxrock. Cartesienne only just lost out on the vote. She was caught on the line in Cork, but the horses behind her in third (Lady Scathach who also runs here) and fourth have both since won to really boost the form. A 2lb rise shouldn't prevent her from getting heavily involved in proceedings.
Prediction : 1st Airgead 2nd Cartesienne 3rd Lady Scathach