UK Horse Racing Tips: Leopardstown

BOLD AS LOVE made an encouraging debut when second to a promising filly of Dermot Weld's who had previous experience here in October and she looks the one to beat on her return. Tender Kiss possesses a nice blend of speed and stamina in her pedigree and warrants close attention in the market on her introduction, although Ryan Moore is on Dundalk fourth Warm Heart. Toistiun finished a never-nearer third at the Curragh last week and should appreciate this stiffer test, with Curvature making most appeal of the remaining opposition.
Prediction : 1st Bold As Love 2nd Tender Kiss 3rd Toistiun

HANS ANDERSEN, who was a game second in last year's Futurity Stakes, sets the standard at present and he is taken to make a successful return. A son of Frankel out of an Arcano mare, the mount of Ryan Moore is the ready pick of Aidan O'Brien's two intended runners and will provide a good yardstick towards the early pecking order for the Classics at Ballydoyle. Having finished third in the Killavullan Stakes last autumn, Bold Discovery has C&D experience and is a clear second choice in this company. O'Brien's Carracci is suggested as the best of the rest.
Prediction : 1st Hans Andersen 2nd Bold Discovery 3rd Carracci

NEVER ENDING STORY appeals as just the type to improve at three and the Group 1-placed filly can notch up a 12th win in the event for Aidan O'Brien. One of her main challengers Zarinsk (fourth) was behind her when she landed the Silver Flash over C&D last summer, although Ger Lyons' filly improved to win the Listed Ingabelle Stakes on Irish Champions Weekend. Matilda Picotte was progressive and consistent as a juvenile, and may have more to come over 7f, while this trip could also be a plus for bloodless Naas scorer Dame Kiri. C&D maiden winner Tarawa and Ocean Quest cannot be ruled out either.
Prediction : 1st Never Ending Story 2nd Zarinsk 3rd Tarawa

Aidan O'Brien fields a quality trio in his bid for a remarkable 12th winner of this race, with ALEXANDROUPOLIS, a leading ante-post fancy for the English Derby, a likely candidate to enhance the statistics. The once-raced son of Camelot comfortably landed a Galway maiden, beating a stablemate who was subsequently second in the Group 1 Criterium International at Saint-Cloud. The form is rock-solid and he is first to note ahead of classy Ballydoyle companions Mohawk Chief and Denmark. A strong threat is also posed by Alder, who aims to secure back-to-back successes in this contest for Donnacha O'Brien.
Prediction : 1st Alexandroupolis 2nd Denmark 3rd Mohawk Chief

PULSE LIGHT has a nice weight in this with Siobhan Rutledge taking 5lb off his back. The Dragon Pulse gelding stayed on well to finish third on a recent outing at Dundalk, over a mile, and looked like he would appreciate stepping up to this trip. He also seemed to handle testing conditions when fourth at Thurles last October so ticks a lot of boxes. Ballydoyle filly Starry Eyed commands plenty of respect on her handicap debut off an attractive looking mark of 82. She had three solid runs in maidens last season, including on heavy ground at the Curragh. Aurifodina won here over a mile last October, with plenty of cut in the ground, and she looks another for the shortlist. She is just a pound higher than when a good second here on her most recent start in October.
Prediction : 1st Pulse Light 2nd Starry Eyed 3rd Aurifodina

Paul Flynn said he was going to target a race at Leopardstown with CHEERS AGAIN after his most recent win at Dundalk and there could be a bit more to come from the Mukhadram gelding despite a couple of hikes for his wins on the all-weather. He won with plenty in hand when scoring twice on the polytrack over the winter and despite a 19lb rise for his last win he's fancied to go in again. Robert Whearty takes a useful 7lb off his back now. Dunum was in terrific form last season, winning four on the bounce before finishing up with a good runner-up effort at the Curragh. He is only a pound higher than when last seen and has to be respected. Lord Vader was picked up cheaply at the sales last summer by Emmet Mullins and market moves for the Ulysses gelding would be interesting.
Prediction : 1st Cheers Again 2nd Dunum 3rd Lord Vader

LEABALAND was narrowly denied on his most recent start at Dundalk and looks capable of winning again off this kind of mark. The Cappella Sansevero gelding lost out by a head in a tight finish last time and is only a couple of pounds higher now. He has winning form in soft ground in the past so looks fairly versatile that way. Purple Gown ran a big race when second to Razdan on her return to action at the Curragh last weekend and looks a danger here despite a 6lb rise for that effort. Lauroline has been knocking on the door in all-weather maidens and is on a fair mark now trying handicap company. A lot of her sire's progeny handle soft ground well.
Prediction : 1st Leabaland 2nd Purple Gown 3rd Lauroline