UK Horse Racing Tips: Leopardstown

GOOD LAND might be able to provide Barry Connell with his second Grade 1 success of the season. Off the track for nearly two years due to a sesamoid injury, he was successful on his return to action at Wexford in October, with subsequent winners in third and fourth respectively. He got no further than the first on his debut over flights but made up for that mishap by beating a quality field here at Christmas. Embassy Gardens finished fourth on that occasion and he since gave the form a significant boost by impressing at Thurles recently. The step-up in trip should suit the selection and it'll be disappointing if he's not involved towards the business end. Willie Mullins saddles Quais De Paris and Grangeclare West, with Paul Townend aboard the former. The French bred gelding didn't set the world alight when successful on his Irish debut at Tramore on New Year's Day, but Mullins later stated: "I think he is a horse you can follow for the rest of the season." Grangeclare West will need to bounce back from a disappointing effort at Naas if he is to feature here, while so too will American Mike. The well-regarded son of Mahler is one of three Gordon Elliott trained representatives in the line-up and is the choice of Davy Russell. Sandor Clegane and Weveallbeencaught are others that warrant the utmost respect.
Prediction : 1st Good Land 2nd Quais De Paris 3rd American Mike

A race dominated by Willie Mullins and his French imports. With Blood Destiny not taking up his entry, it should be a straightforward task for LOSSIEMOUTH. An easy winner on debut at Auteuil, she has been flawless in two starts for current connections. "She could be the real deal and deserves her favouritism for the Triumph," were the utterings of Mullins after her most recent success. Gala Marceau was seven-and-a-half lengths behind the selection when they clashed over the course and distance in December. That was a fair effort from the Kenny Alexander owned bay, considering it was her first outing since April and she should be able to get closer now. Successful on his sole start at Auteuil in September, Gust Of Wind is the most interesting of the remainder and rates as the biggest danger to the selection. There was just half-a-length between Tekao (first time hood) and Ascending when they met over the course and distance in December and they will both need to improve if they are to feature here.
Prediction : 1st Lossiemouth 2nd Gust Of Wind 3rd Gala Marceau

EL FABIOLO might be able to upstage his better fancied stable companions. Since joining Willie Mullins, his only defeat came at the hands of Jonbon, going down by just a neck to that rival at Aintree in April. That rates as a serious piece of form, with Jonbon likely to go off a warm order favourite for the Arkle at Cheltenham next month. The selection was an easy winner on his debut over fences at Fairyhouse in December and described as 'a big, tall horse', he could really come into his own over the larger obstacles. Paul Townend has opted to partner Appreciate It over Dysart Dynamo and Flame Bearer. The son of Jeremy is a perfect four from four at Leopardstown and will be well-fancied to extend that impressive record. Banbridge drops back to two miles after finishing third in the Drinmore and he warrants the utmost respect, while Saint Roi is another likely to have plenty of supporters.
Prediction : 1st El Fabiolo 2nd Appreciate It 3rd Banbridge

Already a short-priced favourite for the Cheltenham Gold Cup, anything other than a win for GALOPIN DES CHAMPS will come as a surprise. By far the highest rated runner in the line-up, he easily beat Fakir D'oudairies into second in the John Durkan at Punchestown, with that one since giving the form a boost by scoring on his next start at Thurles. The selection was an easy winner on his only previous try over three miles and it's difficult to find any chinks in his armour. The only slight concern is the recent record of favourites in this Grade 1 contest, with Quel Espirit the last market leader to triumph back in 2012. Stattler rates as the biggest danger to Galopin Des Champs. He had a flawless campaign last season and went down narrowly on his return to action at Tramore on New Year's Day. Likely to come on plenty for that effort, he should give a good account of himself. Kemboy, Fury Road and Franco De Port finished second, third and fourth in the Savills over the course and distance in December, but they all have an even tougher challenge now. Twice placed in the Aintree National, it'll be interesting to see how Any Second Now fares, while Munster National and Troytown Chase winner The Big Dog completes the seven strong field.
Prediction : 1st Galopin Des Champs 2nd Stattler 3rd Any Second Now

It's difficult to look beyond MAXXUM who made a mockery of his then mark of 120 when successful over the course and distance in December. The Westerner gelding went up 18lb for that 16-length demolition, with the rise somewhat offset now by the 7lb claim of talented conditional Cian Quirke. Gordon Elliott trains the selection and he is also represented by other leading contenders in the shape of Jungle Prose, Au Fleuron and Sam's Choice. The former rattled off four wins on the bounce before being put in her place when tried in a Grade 2 at Limerick over Christmas. Back in handicap company now and with Corey McGivern taking 7lb off, she can be expected to give a good account. Sam's Choice was successful on his handicap debut over the course in December and he may appreciate this step-up in trip. Market support for Hardy Bloke would be significant, although going on bare form alone he should struggle. Lucky Max, Blue Sari, Grozni and Perceval Legallois are others that warrant respect.
Prediction : 1st Maxxum 2nd Jungle Prose 3rd Sams Choice

A Wave Of The Sea bids to win at the Dublin Racing Festival for the fourth year in-a-row. He claimed the Spring Juvenile Hurdle in 2020, adding this contest to his collection the last two years running. Rated just 2lb higher than 12 months ago, he has strong claims with Aidan Kelly taking a valuable 7lb off. For a selection, it might be worth siding with another JP McManus representative, GET MY DRIFT. He appears nicely treated on an initial mark of 130 and fitted with cheekpieces for the first time, a bold bid looks likely. Final Orders is on the crest of a wave at present, winning five times from his last six starts. He has been on the go since June though and looks more vulnerable on his revised mark of 140. Rebel Gold put in a career best performance to win the Dan Moore at Fairyhouse last month and it'll be interesting to see if he can follow-up now. Sil Ver Klass might be able to bounce back from a disappointing effort most recently, while others of interest are handicap debutant Barnacullia and Grade 1 winner Battleoverdoyen, who showed some of his old sparkle at Fairyhouse last month.
Prediction : 1st Get My Drift 2nd A Wave Of The Sea 3rd Battleoverdoyen

A quality field of winners and in truth, none of them can be safely ruled out. Willie Mullins saddles four of the nine set to take part, with Patrick Mullins opting to partner Fact To File. It remains to be seen whether this drop back in distance will suit the son of Poliglote. He appeared to need every inch of the 2m 4f trip when successful here at Christmas. Mullins also saddles Special Cadeau and Limerick winners Largy Hill and Chosen Witness. Jody Townend was taken by the performance of the latter and she is reunited with the Well Chosen gelding now. For a selection, FASCILE MODE gets the nod. Somewhat cheekily pitched in against a field of winners on debut, he rewarded the bravery of his connections by recording a comfortable success and there should be plenty more to come from the Tom Mullins trained bay. Feronily is given second preference after filling the runner-up spot on debut over the course and distance. He finished three-and-a-quarter lengths in front of No Time To Wait there, with that one since giving the form a significant boost by winning easily on his next start. A Dream To Share, who is two from two, hasn't been seen since June but is clearly a talented individual and it'll be interesting to see how he fares.
Prediction : 1st Fascile Mode 2nd Feronily 3rd Chosen Witness