UK Horse Racing Tips: Leopardstown

The 102-rated ETERNAL SILENCE sets a high standard here and should make a winning return. The War Front filly was highly tried last season after her initial outing in a maiden, finishing third in Group 3 company at the Curragh before ending her campaign with an excellent effort to fill the same place in the Moyglare Stud Stakes behind Tahiyra and Meditate. That Group 1 placed form sets her apart now back in maiden company. The Ballydoyle colt Subzero could be the one to give her most to do. The son of Galileo shaped with promise when fourth in a Gowran maiden on his sole start last August and that form has worked out well since. Ger Lyons runs three in this and Colin Keane sides with the newcomer Many Tears. Money for the Showcasing filly would be interesting.
Prediction : 1st Eternal Silence 2nd Subzero 3rd Many Tears

AZAZAT was beaten at a short price on her return here last month and may be able to step forward and open her account now. The Camelot filly had been a promising second on her sole start last year and went to post even-money on her comeback run. She had to settle for third behind front-runner Savethelastdance then but it looked a strong maiden and the runner-up Boogie Woogie has franked the form since. Aidan O'Brien saddles two in this and Queenstown looks the pick of them. He was green when turned over at a short price on his debut at Navan in a three-runner contest and should improve from that experience. His stablemate Milwaukee showed promise when fourth on his sole outing last term and the Justify colt is another potential improver.
Prediction : 1st Azazat 2nd Queenstown 3rd Milwaukee

AMERICAN SONJA was good on her return at Gowran Park and looks up to making a mark at this level. She beat older horses in fine style then, in handicap company, pulling away on the run to the line to post a comprehensive success. Off her new mark of 100 she's fully entitled to mix it in this company now and there looks potential for further improvement going another furlong. Her stablemate Thornbrook is one of two in the race with an official mark of 104. She was well held in the Moyglare when last seen in September but had run a big race to finish third to Meditate at the Curragh previously in Group 2 company and would be a big player on that form. Zarinsk also has a rating of 104 and has already had a good run in stakes company this season, finishing third in the 1,000 Guineas Trial here last month. She is another for the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st American Sonja 2nd Thornbrook 3rd Zarinsk

Fourth and second in the Irish 2000 Guineas last year, WEXFORD NATIVE is taken to even things up with New Energy. The pair clashed three-times in 2022 with the score currently 2-1 in favour of the Sheila Lavery-trained latter. The selection rounded off his three-year-old campaign with a Listed win at the Curragh in June and the hope is that he can progress even further at four. New Energy is the highest rated runner in the line-up on a mark of 113. He ran some excellent races in defeat last term and has the form to take this Group 3 prize. A German import, Goldana won nicely on her debut for Joseph O'Brien at the Curragh last month and it'll come as no surprise if she manages to follow-up. The only three-year-old in the line-up, You Send Me is an interesting contender. Getting significant weight allowances, she might be able to make an impact. Villanova Queen and Real Appeal, a three-time course winner, are others that warrant respect.
Prediction : 1st Wexford Native 2nd New Energy 3rd Goldana

UP AND UNDER might be able to take this, despite being the only maiden in the line-up. He had a far from clear passage in the Ballysax over the course and distance early last month, ultimately going down by just half-a-length. Second in the National Stakes at the Curragh in September and the highest rated runner in the line-up, Proud And Regal is likely to go off favourite. It might be worth taking him on though, as some juvenile form from last term hasn't worked out as well as expected so far this campaign. Bidding to win this race for the fifth year in-a-row, Aidan O'Brien saddles three of the eight declared and they all warrant respect, with Londoner perhaps the pick of them. Sprewell showed a nice turn of foot to win on his return to action at Naas in March and it'll be interesting to see how he copes with this step-up in class. Goldstatewarrior done well to win on debut at Gowran and is another sure to have his supporters.
Prediction : 1st Up And Under 2nd Proud And Regal 3rd Londoner

With eight newcomers in the line-up and some fine pedigrees on show, a case can be made for many of these. SHAMIDA has one run to her name and might be able to put her experience to good use. She finished well to take third on debut here in October and the step-up in trip to 1m2f should suit. Related to plenty of winners, she holds some big race entries. The Aidan O'Brien-trained Warm Heart was second on her return to action early last month and it'll come as no surprise if he manages to go a place better now. O'Brien also saddles Smart Cookie who is a half-sister to dual Listed winner Joie De Soir. La Petite Sissi, a half-sister to Group 1 winner La Petite Coco, and Kitty McFee, out of Listed winner Titi Makfi, are other interesting debutants set to take part.
Prediction : 1st Shamida 2nd Warm Heart 3rd La Petite Sissi

GILADAH shaped well enough on her seasonal debut at Cork to suggest she can now record a third career success at this venue. Both owned and trained by Dermot Weld, the four-year-old was a dual winner over a furlong shorter here twice last year and judging by her strong finish at Cork, the daughter of Muhaarar should appreciate the extra yardage. Timourid, who was a place ahead of the Weld filly last time, should again be involved. Trainer Paul Flynn has his string in rude health at present and this gelding has been highly consistent. Allowing for his riders claim, Timourid actually meets Giladah on slightly better terms. Laughifuwant kept on nicely when fifth at Limerick last time but does have to prove his stamina for this longer distance.
Prediction : 1st Giladah 2nd Timourid 3rd Laughifuwant

Irish Derby entrant PICTURE OF A CITY should strip fitter now having been entitled to need his reappearance at Limerick. On that occasion, the Andy Oliver-trained colt kept on late having hit a flat spot. It will be a surprise if this son of Cityscape isn't capable of much better than a rating of 71. Sixpack is bred to appreciate a stamina test so the Johnny Murtagh trained gelding has to be a real threat on his handicap debut. On the bare form of his three maiden runs he doesn't look badly treated on his initial foray into handicaps. Teutates didn't look the most straightforward on his handicap debut at this track last time but first-time cheekpieces may help. He also drops into a lower grade now so has to be respected.
Prediction : 1st Picture Of A City 2nd Sixpack 3rd Teutates