UK Horse Racing Tips: Leopardstown

HIGH DEFINITION is a very high class recruit to hurdles and it will be fascinating to see how he copes here. The son of Galileo was ante post favourite for the Derby after landing the Group 2 Beresford Stakes on just his second start but didn't meet those expectations in his classic season. He's without a win since but did show a high level of form for Aidan O'Brien this year notably when just denied from the front in the Tattersalls Gold Cup, earning a Flat rating of 119. Willie Mullins saddles a couple of interesting French imports with Parmenion, an impressive maiden winner on his only start last year before purchased for 230,000 at Arqana, the choice of Paul Townend. Jetara recorded her second bumper win in a Listed event at Navan last month and Jack Kennedy is an eye-catching booking on her hurdle debut.
Prediction : 1st High Definition 2nd Parmenion 3rd Jetara

DARK RAVEN looked a smart type when successfully on both bumper outings early last year including a valuable sales race at Fairyhouse with his rivals strung out behind. It's obviously a concern that the son of Malinas missed all of last season and it will be interesting to see how strong he is in the market for this eagerly awaited hurdle debut. One of the chief dangers may come from within his own yard as bumper winner Viva Devito was only pegged back on the run-in by Joyeux Machin when running too keenly on his reappearance over hurdles at Fairyhouse earlier this month. Doctor Bravo made a successful start in a bumper on the same Fairyhouse card and is another for the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Dark Raven 2nd Viva Devito 3rd Doctor Bravo

LOSSIEMOUTH impressed on debut over hurdles at Auteuil last spring and is now firmly positioned at the head of the current crop of juvenile hurdlers after an authoritative display for present connections in a Grade 3 at Fairyhouse earlier this month with a number of these rivals well behind. Willie Mullins' five runners also include Gala Marceau who won a Listed hurdle in runaway fashion at Auteuil in April. Cougar was a useful sort for Aidan O'Brien and has taken well to hurdles winning both starts including at Down Royal last month. Nusret had a similar level of form on the Flat and drew clear on the run-in to make a winning start over hurdles at Punchestown last month.
Prediction : 1st Lossiemouth 2nd Cougar 3rd Gala Marceau

DUTCH SCHULTZ is a useful staying handicapper on the Flat as evidenced by his third in the valuable amateur riders race at the Galway Festival. The selection showed promise in maiden hurdles last season and appears fairly treated on his handicap debut in this sphere. Changing The Rules also caught the eye a few times in maiden hurdles last term and may be nearing concert pitch after a couple of handicap outings this term. JP McManus is also represented by Wild Dollar and any market move on his handicap debut would be significant. Contrapposto won over this trip at Cheltenham on his last hurdle start, while Low Style won readily on his last hurdle outing at Roscommon and should give a good account despite a 14lb hike.
Prediction : 1st Dutch Schultz 2nd Changing The Rules 3rd Low Style

FIL DOR was a smart juvenile hurdler, winning the Grade 2 on this card 12 months ago before filling the runner-up spot on three occasions behind Vauban at the highest level. He made an exciting start to his chasing career when stretching clear on the run-in to beat Saint Roi by four lengths at Navan last month. The pair drew well clear of the remainder and that looks strong form with the promise of more to come. Stablemate Hollow Games has always been held in high regard and was a very useful novice hurdler last term. He also made a winning start over fences at Navan last month, jumping impressively from the front, and it can't have been a straightforward decision for Jack Kennedy to stick with the selection.
Prediction : 1st Fil Dor 2nd Hollow Games 3rd Saint Roi

SIL VER KLASS has progressed really well over the past 12 months, scoring three times, all of which were gained over fences at this trip. He kept on well from the last to beat the classy mare Magic Daze in a valuable handicap at Fairyhouse earlier this month and a 5lb rise still leaves him on a reasonable mark. Embittered is without a win in over a year but kept good novice company last winter and comes here off a fine effort in a similar handicap at Cork last month when narrowly denied by Big Debates. Gavin Cromwell has two strong contenders in the consistent Railway Hurricane and Final Orders, who completed a hat-trick over a variety of trips when successful at Down Royal last month. Grange Walk overcame a slipped saddle when taking this race 12 months ago.
Prediction : 1st Sil Ver Klass 2nd Embittered 3rd Final Orders

PARK OF KINGS made a bright start when third at Fairyhouse earlier this month and should go close given normal improvement. The Walk In The Park gelding had obviously shown some promise at home as he attracted some support and now runs in the colours of JP McManus, with Derek O'Connor booked for the ride. The powerhouse yards of Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott provide the two obvious dangers. The champion trainer won this last year with Facile Vega and is now represented by Did I Ask You That, who is also by Walk In The Park and cost 32,000 euros at the Goffs Land Rover Sale last year. Pour Les Filles won a point-to-point at Bartlemy last spring, while One And Only is a half-brother to four winners, including stablemate Gallant John Joe.
Prediction : 1st Park Of Kings 2nd Did I Ask You That 3rd Pour Les Filles