UK Horse Racing Tips: Leopardstown

The market should prove very informative, with no less than 14 debutants in the line-up. Carter Hall and Valiant Force are the only two with form and the latter is sure to have plenty of supporters after finishing second on debut. He has a wide draw to overcome here though and may have to settle for minor honours. Jessica Harrington, Aidan O'Brien and Johnny Murtagh are all double handed, with preference for O'Brien's GASPARE GABRIELLI. Closely related to High Chaparral, he is a half-brother to dual Group 1 winner Fancy Blue. The master of Ballydoyle also saddles Latin, who is out of an Aga Khan mare and has a nice draw in two. Mariner is owned by the Coolmore conglomerate and is from the family of Epsom Derby winner Pour Moi but appears the Murtagh second-string on jockey bookings. Paddy Twomey is represented by Deepone who makes little appeal on breeding, but still warrants respect.
Prediction : 1st Gaspare Gabrielli 2nd Valiant Force 3rd Mariner

FIRM HANDSHAKE and Bella Blue Eyes stand out here, with preference for the Willie McCreery-trained former. He didn't get a clear run early in the straight on debut at Cork but came home strongly in the closing stages to finish a never nearer third. Bella Blue Eyes also ran a fine race on debut at Tipperary in August, filling the runner-up spot behind Library. The Paddy Twomey-trained bay has a wide draw to overcome here but appears the choice of Billy Lee, who of course rides for both McCreery and Twomey. Joseph O'Brien is represented by Guided and newcomer Morello Di Vento, with the latter, who is owned by Real Madrid and Spanish international Alvaro Odriozola, a half-brother to Unconquerable, a smart juvenile in 2021. Second and third at Dundalk last month, City Exile and Banana Three are leading contenders, while Passionate and Winston Spencer are others to keep on side.
Prediction : 1st Firm Handshake 2nd Bella Blue Eyes 3rd Morello Di Vento

A case can be made for many in this wide-open affair, with LAUROLINE given the chance to redeem herself. Placed three-times from four starts at Dundalk, the Johnny Murtagh-trained four-year-old disappointed on her turf debut here in April, finishing a well-beaten fifth of six. The testing conditions on that occasion clearly didn't suit the Lope De Vega-bay and on a sounder surface now, a much-improved performance can be expected, with promising apprentice Yudish Geerdharry claiming a valuable 7lb. Dreaming Princess is an interesting contender for Natalia Lupini, her first runner for powerful owners AMO Racing Limited. A winner at Southwell on her penultimate start, she might be able to make an impact here with Wayne Lordan booked to ride. Chavajod (first time cheekpieces) warrants respect on debut for the shrewd Denis Coakley, while handicap debutants Snowhaven and Riverina Charm are others of note.
Prediction : 1st Lauroline 2nd Dreaming Princess 3rd Chavajod

APPRENTICE made the breakthrough at Tipperary last month and might be able to follow-up, with Alan Persse again taking a valuable 7lb off. She was value for more than the winning margin of a head at the Limerick Junction venue and she is likely to be suited by the drying ground here and slight increase in trip. Timeless Piece finished behind the selection at Tipperary but was since successful at Gowran and off a mark of 72 she should be able to make her presence felt. A case can be made for many others. Hazy Mehmory is the highest-rated runner in the line-up, returning to action for the first time since September. She was disappointingly beaten in a three-runner affair at Bellewstown on her most recent start, but back against her own sex now and stepping into handicap company for the first time, she can be expected to go close. Fellow handicap debutants Alazne and Nostringsattached are sure to have their supporters, while course and distance winner Signora Bellissima is another for the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Apprentice 2nd Timeless Piece 3rd Hazy Mehmory

The highest rated runner in the line-up and a leading contender for the Ascot Gold Cup, EMILY DICKINSON is the one to beat. She ran some fine races in defeat at the highest-level last season and impressed on her return to action in the Vintage Crop Stakes at Navan. Rated just 2lb below the selection, Stratum is given second preference. A dual winner of the Queen Alexandra Stakes at Royal Ascot, the Willie Mullins trained 10-year-old will be ridden by Frankie Dettori, his sole ride on the card. Joseph O'Brien saddles three strong challengers, with Point King perhaps his leading hope. The Zoffany colt won three in-a-row last season, disappointing on his final start of the campaign on Champions Weekend. That effort was too bad to be true and he is given the chance to redeem himself now. Third in the Oaks at the Curragh last season, Cairde Go Deo (first time tongue-strap) is another that warrants respect.
Prediction : 1st Emily Dickinson 2nd Stratum 3rd Point King

NUSRA was cruelly denied after attempting to make all at Limerick last month and she might be able to gain compensation now. Without a win in 27 starts, the Garrett Ahern-trained six-year-old appeared to enjoy herself out in front at Greenmount Park and was only headed inside the final 50 yards, going down by half-a-length. Promising apprentice Conor Stone-Walsh has been booked to ride the selection and he claims a valuable 7lb. Bolero finished a good third at Navan six days ago she is sure to have plenty of supporters turned out quickly, while other leading contenders include Supreme Law, Tudor Manor and Charlie Luciano. All Ways And Ever has shown some promise on her last two starts and is one who could outrun her odds.
Prediction : 1st Nusra 2nd Bolero 3rd Supreme Law

Maxine O'Sullivan won this race 12-months ago and she might be able to strike again on NIBIRU. A smart performer over flights, the Tony Martin trained eight-year-old refused to race at Haydock last weekend. He was a fast-finishing third on his most recent Flat start in October and it'll come as no surprise if he manages to go two places better now. War Correspondent also returns to the level after a stint over hurdles and Rachael Blackmore reunites with the grey gelding, after partnering him to victory at Punchestown in October. The Teofilo four-year-old is still a maiden on the Flat but should give a good account of himself, tried over 1m4f for the first time. Authorized Art is sure to have plenty of supporters with Jody Townend aboard for Willie Mullins, while other leading contenders for this competitive affair are Effernock Fizz, Magellan Strait, Hell Bent and the hat-trick seeking Burren Song.
Prediction : 1st Nibiru 2nd War Correspondent 3rd Authorized Art

SHAMIDA is likely to appreciate this step up in trip and looks the one to beat. Her two previous starts have also come at Leopardstown, finishing an eye-catching third on debut last October. She was again third on her recent return to action, keeping on well to take minor honours. Up to 1m4f now, she should be able to make the breakthrough. The 82-rated Water Nymph is an obvious danger, having recently finished third over the course and distance. Joseph O'Brien saddles newcomer Only In Dreams and Sugaree and they both warrant respect. The former is a full-sister to Winema, a Listed winner in France. Feach Amach is the pick of the Jim Bolger trained pair, while it'll be interesting to see how Humtaza fares, after she made some late progress on debut at Gowran last month.
Prediction : 1st Shamida 2nd Water Nymph 3rd Only In Dreams