UK Horse Racing Tips: Leopardstown

Aidan O'Brien introduces three regally bred newcomers, with Ryan Moore aboard BUTTONS, who is a token choice. Out of 2011 Epsom Oaks runner-up Wonder Of Wonders, she is a half-sister to Listed winner So Wonderful, who was twice-placed at the highest level. Seamie Heffernan takes the ride on Opera Singer, who is out of Group 3 winner Liscanna. She has already produced Hit It A Bomb, winner of the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf in 2015 and 2016 Cheveley Park Stakes victor Brave Anna. Wayne Lordan gets the leg up on Content, who is out of brilliant dual-Group 1 winner Mecca's Angel. Hudson River was her first foal and he managed to win on debut, finishing down the field on his only subsequent start. Tachos is out of a sister to Glorious Empire, a winner at the highest level in America and she looks the most interesting of the remainder.
Prediction : 1st Buttons 2nd Opera Singer 3rd Content

Fitted with cheekpieces for the first time, CHAVAJOD ran out a convincing winner over the course and distance last month on what was his debut for Denis Coakley. Coakley's son Ross returns home from the UK to partner the Toronado gelding, who will be well-fancied to follow-up, despite an 11lb rise. A case can be made for many others in this wide-open contest. A dual course and distance winner, Helpmeout was fourth of 20 on her return to action at the Curragh last month and it'll come as no surprise if she manages to go a few places better now. Six-time winner Jered Maddox was also fourth in a competitive affair at the Curragh recently and he should give a good account of himself with Declan McDonogh aboard. A fast-finishing second at Cork last month, Dagoda is sure to have plenty of supporters with Colin Keane booked to ride, while others for the shortlist are Fastman, Eloquent Arthur and Jaafel.
Prediction : 1st Chavajod 2nd Helpmeout 3rd Jered Maddox

MOON DE VEGA, Salt Lake City and Kerkiyra appear the three to focus on, with preference for the Paddy Twomey-trained former. A respectable eighth in the Epsom Oaks last season, she impressed on debut for current connections at Gowran last month. Fitted with cheekpieces and a tongue-strap for the first time at the Co Kilkenny venue, they remain in place now. Kerkiyra is given second preference, after finishing a good third on her return to action in a Group 3 at the Curragh. Successful on Irish Champions Weekend last season, the Johnny Murtagh-trained bay has finished no worse than third on her last eight starts. Salt Lake City was fifth in the Futurity Trophy Stakes when last seen at Doncaster in October, finishing ahead of subsequent Epsom Derby runner-up King Of Steel. Getting a weight allowance on account of his age, the Galileo colt could prove a class apart, but may just need the run.
Prediction : 1st Moon De Vega 2nd Kerkiyra 3rd Salt Lake City

Second in this contest 12-months ago, COILL NA SIONAINNE might be able to go a place better now. She has been hinting at a return to form of late and ran well to finish fourth at Fairyhouse last week, after being hampered in the early stages. Interestingly, Billy Lee is reunited with the daughter of So You Think for the first time since last July. Just half-a-length separated Sirjack Thomas and Coeur D'or at the Curragh on Guineas weekend, with the latter taken to reverse the form. The Dermot Weld-trained seven-year-old came from the clouds to finish a never nearer second and should appreciate this slightly longer trip. John McConnell is represented by interesting contenders in the shape of Higher Kingdom and Mulgrave. The latter has yet to win on turf but completed a quick hat-trick at Dundalk in February, finishing a close-up fifth in a valuable contest at Lingfield on Good Friday. Longbourn, Malabu Drive and Independent Expert are others for the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Coill Na Sionainne 2nd Coeur dOr 3rd Mulgrave

From an initial mark of 79, the progressive NEW VARIANT is now rated 98. The chestnut gelding made the breakthrough at Tipperary in April and followed-up in style at Naas, winning by no less than 10-lengths. He has a tougher assignment on his hands now, stepping up to Listed company for the first time. The O'Brien family are responsible for the opposition, with Aidan's Tower Of London appearing the main danger. While ultimately disappointing in two starts since winning his maiden on debut, he may appreciate a return to quick ground. Amusement got off the mark over the course and distance last month and she can't be dismissed. Shamwari and Thunder Roll both went close on debut and they are obviously well-regarded to be pitched in at this level as maidens.
Prediction : 1st New Variant 2nd Tower Of London 3rd Amusement

With Conor Stone-Walsh claiming a valuable 7lb, MORPH SPEED is the suggestion in this competitive affair. A five-time winner, he claimed this race in 2021 and has hinted at a return to form in two starts since joining Joseph O'Brien. Rated 91 last year, the seven-year-old has been given a chance by the handicapper and is now on a mark of 80. Theophilos came home strongly and went down by just a neck when attempting to follow-up on his Tipperary success at Ayr. He steps up in trip now to 1m4f and this should play to his strengths. Tronador is an interesting contender for Gordon Elliott. A Grade 3 winner over flights, he won on the level at Bellewstown last summer and was twice placed at Dundalk in December. Top-weight Hazy Mehmory was sixth on her return to action here last month and should come on for that effort, while others for the shortlist are Danza Della Luna, Last Ammo and three-time French victor Agenda.
Prediction : 1st Morph Speed 2nd Theophilos 3rd Tronador

Tom Gibney has his horses in tremendous form of late, saddling five winners from his last 11 runners. DROP THE DIP is included amongst those winners, after she landed a gamble at Listowel on Saturday. Encountering quick ground for the first time, the Smooth Daddy filly made virtually all and comfortably accounted for her nine rivals. Upped 8lb for that win, she will carry a 7lb winners penalty here. First and second at Cork last month, Summer Snow and Angel's Feather reoppose and are sure to prove popular with punters. There was a length between them at the Mallow venue and are closer in the weights now. An unlucky third at Roscommon recently, it'll come as no surprise if Cherry Pink gains compensation. The market could speak favourably for one of the eight handicap debutants in the line-up. Ger Lyons saddles two of them, with the well-bred Mobilise of definite interest, being a brother to dual Group 2 winner Threat.
Prediction : 1st Drop The Dip 2nd Summer Snow 3rd Cherry Pink