UK Horse Racing Tips: Leopardstown

PINK SORREL made a pleasing debut in a Punchestown maiden over this trip last month when a close third behind Gozen and Basil Martini and the form of that race could hardly have worked out much better. The winner subsequently beat all bar Lumiere Rock in the Staffordstown Stud Stakes and Basil Martini went one better in another Group 3 race when landing the Weld Park Stakes also at the Curragh. The selection has been taken out a few times because of soft ground and hopefully there will not be too much more rain. Tarawa is the obvious threat after dropping away inside the final furlong when still showing plenty of promise on debut over a mile at Cork. High Chieftess needs to step up on her initial effort at Gowran while Bold As Love, Kirikiriroa and Wedding Bouquet are newcomers to note. The latter is a Galileo half-sister to Harzand.
Prediction : 1st Pink Sorrel 2nd Tarawa 3rd High Chieftess

LIVIO MILO made a solid start in a newcomers' race over this trip at the Curragh in August and if building on that run, could prove the one to beat here. The Lope De Vega gelding was only beaten about four lengths behind Continuous who went on to land a Group 3 at Saint-Cloud. The market should provide a decent guide to the pecking order among the three Ballydoyle runners with Colin Keane an interesting booking on Sloane Ranger, who cost 400,000 at Keeneland last year and is out of a Listed winning daughter of Galileo. Autocrat made a reasonable start when fitted with blinkers for his debut on testing ground at Cork, while Stop And Think is a brother to the useful Lord Of The Lodge.
Prediction : 1st Livio Milo 2nd Stop And Think 3rd Autocrat

Johnny Murtagh has a good line on nursery form and DEVORE is taken to follow up a victory over this trip at the Curragh last month. The selection beat subsequent maiden winner American Sonja with Aurifodina back in fifth. The latter has shown good reserves of stamina when scoring over a mile both before and after that run including here last Saturday. She won't be favoured by this drop back in trip. Delightful, a sister to Minding as well as other classic winners Tuesday and Empress Josephine, is an interesting recruit to handicaps after three solid maiden efforts while Shangrilama was also second in a Thurles maiden last time and appears on the upgrade.
Prediction : 1st Devore 2nd Delightful 3rd Shangrilama

SUNSET SHIRAZ has been a model of consistency and can gain a deserved first Stakes win. The Gavin Cromwell-trained filly had smart form as a juvenile notably when second to Discoveries in the Moyglare Stud Stakes. She appeared to find 1m2f too far on her belated reappearance before returning to something like her best when second to Toy in the Listed Garnet Stakes over this trip at Naas last Sunday. Glounthaune disappointed in France last time but rates a serious threat on his previous second to Jadoomi over C&D on Irish Champions Weekend, while Neptune Rock showed improved form last time when landing a Listed race at Listowel. Power Under Me is a dual Listed winner over six but tries this trip for the first time.
Prediction : 1st Sunset Shiraz 2nd Glounthaune 3rd Neptune Rock

JOE MASSERIA might be able to take this wide-open contest, with Robert Whearty taking a valuable 7lb off. By Fast Company, he unsurprisingly relishes testing conditions, winning on heavy at Naas last October and on soft at Galway in July. He failed to make an impact in the 'Northfields' Handicap on Champions Weekend but in calmer waters now, he may be able to bounce back. Joseph O'Brien, Johnny Murtagh and Adrian McGuiness are all double handed. McGuiness saddles experienced handicappers Saltonstall and Spanish Tenor, with the former successful at Tipperary on his most recent start. Once rated 111 and now on a mark of 94, the eight-time winner can make an impact. Spanish Tenor also has solid claims, while it'll be interesting to see how Soilse fares with a featherweight on her back. Fifth in this very race 12 months ago, Comfort Line is another for the shortlist and in truth a case can be made for many others.
Prediction : 1st Joe Masseria 2nd Saltonstall 3rd Soilse

MISTER MISTER is taken to follow-up on his maiden success. The chestnut colt appears to be progressing with every run and impressed when making the breakthrough at Gowran. Covent Garden was second to the selection at the Co Kilkenny venue and he since gave the form a boost by winning at Tipperary. Aidan O'Brien saddles three of the seven declared for this Group 3 prize and in truth, it's difficult to split them. On jockey bookings, Hippodrome appears to be the first-string but Gulf Of Mexico makes more appeal. Out of Queen Mary winner Anthem Alexander, he got off the mark on his third start at Killarney and is sure to progress further. A full-brother to Luxembourg, Hiawatha is another leading contender with title chasing Billy Lee aboard. Three fillies complete the line-up and they all warrant respect.
Prediction : 1st Mister Mister 2nd Gulf Of Mexico 3rd Hiawatha

It might be worth taking a chance on FOCUS REQUIRED in this competitive contest, although the likely testing conditions are a cause for concern. A dual course winner, the Famous Name colt clearly has a fondness for this venue. His most recent efforts at Naas and Galway have been disappointing, but a return to Foxrock could bring about a change in fortunes. Bridge Of Dawn, in the ownership of Jackie Bolger and former Wexford hurler Dave Bernie, is given second preference after springing a 66/1 surprise in dreadful conditions at Navan on Wednesday. On what was his handicap debut, the three-year-old gelding got through the heavy ground well and showed a willing attitude. Tudor City is a dual Galway Hurdle winner and claimed this very contest 12 months ago. The admirable bay can never been written off and should give a good account of himself with Jake Coen claiming a valuable 5lb. Tony Martin and John Breslin are also represented by top-weight Nibiru who has definite claims, while others to consider are Coins Cross, Missing Matron and Eloquent Arthur.
Prediction : 1st Focus Required 2nd Bridge Of Dawn 3rd Tudor City

Jane Davis and Stan Begley are tied on 13 points apiece, with Darren Harrison just a point behind, going into this, the final leg of the Corinthian Challenge Charity Race Series. Davis teams-up with trusty ally Takarengo who of course claimed the first leg at the Curragh in July. Begley will be aboard three-time winner Clear Quartz, while Harrison takes the ride on Kojin, who disappointed in the 'Petingo' on Champions Weekend. For a selection, WHATCOULDHAVEBEEN gets the nod with Laura Bennett in the saddle. She won on yielding to soft at Tipperary in June and was a fine third behind Takarengo in the aforementioned opening race of this series. Still Standing is a seven-time winner and has definite claims, while Golden Spear and Enki Flacke are other leading hopes.
Prediction : 1st Whatcouldhavebeen 2nd Takarengo 3rd Kojin