UK Horse Racing Tips: Leopardstown

SEMANTICS narrowly lost out on her debut and can go one better now. The US-import was just held by a head by All Things Nice at Bellewstown late last month. She showed a nice attitude that day and the form has been boosted since with the winner going on to land a Curragh nursery. Ger Lyons' charge should again have the measure of Starry Heavens who finished third that day. Lan Mara stepped forward considerably on her second outing when runner-up over course and distance a fortnight ago. That looked a decent maiden, won by Thornbrook, and she could be a big player now. Joseph O'Brien, trainer of Thornbrook, saddles Zoffany newcomer Ma Belle Artiste and money for her would be noteworthy.
Prediction : 1st Semantics 2nd Lan Mara 3rd Ma Belle Artiste

This has been won by some good fillies over the years and NEVER ENDING STORY can add her name to the roll of honour. The Dubawi filly ran a nice race first time over six furlongs at the Curragh and stepped forward to land her maiden back at HQ over seven last month. She holds a couple of Group 1 entries and it looks significant that Aidan O'Brien relies on her here. She was third on her debut to Zarinsk and is fancied to turn the tables now on that rival. Ger Lyons' charge was a decent fourth in the Group 2 Airlie Stud Stakes last time and could improve for going a bit further now. With Love and Zoinnocent were fourth and sixth in that Curragh maiden before going on to win subsequently. It will be interesting to see how all these fillies have progressed in the interim.
Prediction : 1st Never Ending Story 2nd Zarinsk 3rd With Love

PEARLING PATH found himself in front plenty soon enough when collared in the closing stages of the Chesham Stakes and looks up to scoring at this level now. The John O'Donoghue-trained cruised into the lead two furlongs out at Royal Ascot but got lonely in front and eventually gave way to another big priced horse in Holloway Boy in the closing stages. He showed plenty of ability that day and can confirm that now. Age Of Kings sets the standard off a mark of 99 and has to be respected. He was a solid enough fourth in the Railway Stakes last time and wasn't beaten far at the line. Hellsing and Proud And Regal both won Curragh maidens on their debuts and are unexposed. They take a step up in class now against more experienced rivals.
Prediction : 1st Pearling Path 2nd Age Of Kings 3rd Hellsing

Not much form to go on here and the newcomers are probably going to be the main players. TOWER OF LONDON looks the pick on breeding as he is a full-brother to Irish Derby and St Leger winner Capri as well as Group 3 winners Passion and Cypress Creek. Jim Bolger's runner is an interesting one as he holds a Group 1 entry in the Phoenix Stakes. Fleetfoot is owned along with Freddie Tylicki and the Teofilo colt is from a strong US family. His dam is a half-sister to the dam of Grade 1 winners Flagstaff and Game winner while his grand-dam was a Grade 1 winner also. Donnacha O'Brien's newcomer Atlantic Charter is out of an unraced half-sister to Irish 2,000 Guineas winner Power while Joseph O'Brien's charge Magnetar is a half-brother to the group placed Asking from the family of Rock Of Gibraltar.
Prediction : 1st Tower Of London 2nd Fleetfoot 3rd Magnetar

SCARLET ANGEL stayed on well from the rear when third at Killarney 10 days ago and looks up to winning a race of this standard. The US-bred filly was making her handicap debut then and there looks scope for further improvement. She was left on the same mark of 71 and has a better draw tonight. She has a length-and-a-quarter to make up on Aristovic but is now 7lb better off with that rival, who comes here seeking a hat-trick. Might And Mercy ran a big race here last time when chasing home Howyoulikethat and off just a 2lb higher mark she could be thereabouts again.
Prediction : 1st Scarlet Angel 2nd Aristovic 3rd Might And Mercy

WATERVILLE was a touch disappointing early on this season given his reputation but may be able to kick on now after a confidence boosting win last time. The Camelot gelding was touted as a dark horse for the Derby before his debut at the Curragh in April when he was turned over at a short price after meeting traffic problems. He was beaten again twice after that but finally got his head in front when trying handicap company at Limerick last month. He was impressive that day, over two-miles-one, and stamina is obviously his main asset. This is almost a mile-and-five now and looks like a nice stepping stone. Point King was also a decisive winner when taking a Fairyhouse maiden on his return last month. The runner-up Dancila went on to boost that form so he commands respect. Nectarine was narrowly denied in handicap company at the Curragh on Sunday and also has to come into the mix.
Prediction : 1st Waterville 2nd Point King 3rd Nectarine

FINAL ORDERS ran well on his return to the Flat at Bellewstown and looks capable of winning a race of this standard despite a 5lb rise for that runner-up effort. The Camelot gelding stuck on well when chasing home Tronador with the pair pulling nicely clear. Going up slightly in trip should be no inconvenience now. Lariat also ran well last time when second to the in-form Unanswered at Killarney eight days ago. Off the same mark he could be involved again. Annecherie was in fine form when last seen at Dundalk earlier in the year and is another that has to be on the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Final Orders 2nd Lariat 3rd Annecherie