UK Horse Racing Tips: Leopardstown

The Denis Hogan-trained BIG BABY BULL can win his third claimer of the season. After providing his young jockey with a first career success at Limerick in June, the seven-year-old went on to run a big race when second in a strong handicap at Fairyhouse subsequently. Back over his optimum distance here, having disappointed at 6f last time, the Tagula gelding should take beating. Is That Love, who chased home the Hogan horse at Limerick, again holds leading claims on similar terms. The six-year-old has since gone close in another two claimers. Tai Sing Yeh returned to form when winning at Naas but the James McAuley-trained nine-year-old needs to step up following a lacklustre effort at Dundalk on Tuesday.
Prediction : 1st Big Baby Bull 2nd Is That Love 3rd Tai Sing Yeh

HALF NUTZ is a speculative suggestion in a race where the Ado McGuinness-trained six-year-old will require a lot of luck. For a horse who tends to miss the break, an inside draw is not ideal given that he may well be crowded and lose his position early on. However, the Sir Prancealot gelding is undeniably well handicapped at present, having shown a welcome return to form when a staying on fourth at Galway last time. If getting the gaps where it matters, he can win for the seventh time. Course and distance winner Chestnutter is on a hat-trick here but as a front runner, Noel Meade's filly won't find it easy from a wide stall. Toriangel seldom runs a bad race at this track so the daughter of Dark Angel has to be amongst the leading contenders once again.
Prediction : 1st Half Nutz 2nd Chestnutter 3rd Toriangel

CHIEF LITTLE ROCK can go one better now having finished runner-up over course and distance on his racecourse debut. The Aidan O'Brien-trained colt shaped as though he would improve from that initial experience as he ran green before keeping on strongly to take second close home. With the benefit of that race, he should be an altogether different proposition here. Bad Desire is another colt entitled to improve, having also occupied the second spot on his introduction. However, the form of his Galway maiden may not be quite as strong as that in which Chief Little Rock made his debut. Soldier's Empire, a half-brother to two winners, should be noted on his racecourse debut. Ger Lyons is well able to ready one first time out, so the Bated Breath colt cannot be discounted on that score.
Prediction : 1st Chief Little Rock 2nd Bad Desire 3rd Soldiers Empire

Royal Ascot winner VILLANOVA QUEEN may be good enough to continue her upward progression for trainer Jessica Harrington. The four-year-old has run two of her better races at this track, winning her maiden and finishing a close third to a subsequent 1000 Guineas winner. Although disappointing on a couple of occasions earlier this season, the filly returned to form at the royal meeting. Mutasarref has yet to recapture his very best this term but the Ger Lyons-trained gelding may be suited by stepping back up to a mile. Having only had a couple of runs at the distance, the son of Dark Angel may well improve for it. Alfred Munnings remains a lightly raced colt with further scope for progression. The application of first-time cheekpieces may well see him in a better light.
Prediction : 1st Villanova Queen 2nd Mutasarref 3rd Alfred Munnings

UP AND UNDER was certainly disappointing at Galway last time but aside from that one blip, the Joseph O'Brien-trained colt has done nothing wrong. Following on from a very promising debut effort, the son of Lope De Vega then finished runner-up in two recognised Derby trials, before a respectable fifth in the Irish equivalent at the Curragh. Off a rating of 105, he really should prove far too strong for these opponents. This Songisforyou, who was third to Up And Under in that aforementioned Galway maiden, meets the O'Brien colt on slightly better terms now. However, it would still be something of a shock if he manages to overturn that form. The First And Last shouldn't be discounted as the prominent racer finds plenty for pressure and won't be easily passed.
Prediction : 1st Up And Under 2nd This Songisforyou 3rd The First And Last

The form of the race in which ONE BOSS finished fifth over a mile at this track in June has worked out well in the interim. The third horse went on to win at the Galway festival, while the seventh landed a tidy gamble on his next run. The Jessica Harrington-trained three-year-old also took a step forward, finishing second to a well handicapped filly at Killarney. The daughter of Saxon Warrior holds leading claims in what is undoubtedly a competitive contest. Final Check kept on nicely when fifth on her handicap debut, before improving to win when upped in trip on her latest start. The John O'Donoghue-trained three-year-old could well benefit from the additional furlong she encounters here. Course and distance winner Court Of Appeal is well drawn for one who tends to make the running.
Prediction : 1st One Boss 2nd Final Check 3rd Court Of Appeal

The form of the race RAMPAGE won over course and distance last month received a significant boost when the runner-up was successful at Galway on his next start. The Tom McCourt-trained four-year-old had been running consistently prior to getting his head in front, so there may well be further improvement to come from the son of New Bay. The Johnny Murtagh-trained Givemefive has found his level since switching to handicaps of late, reaching the frame on his latest three starts. Although drawn out wide, the three-year-old looks one of the more likely winners. Dual winner Dutch Glory has yet to race over this distance but improved when stepped up to a mile this year. Her style of running suggests that the filly will have no issues with an additional furlong.
Prediction : 1st Rampage 2nd Givemefive 3rd Dutch Glory

BARNACULLIA, who was second over fences at Galway last week, is well handicapped on the level. The six-year-old caught the eye in three quick maiden runs in recent weeks, before staying on nicely when fifth on his handicap debut. The Michael Mulvany-trained gelding has been found a nice opportunity to open his account on the flat. No Thanks returned to winning ways when making most of the running over hurdles at Ballinrobe on Monday. Although rated almost a stone below Barnacullia under National Hunt rules, the Matthew Smith-trained gelding is arguably a stronger traveller in his races, so will be better suited to this small field. Abraham, who shaped well when fourth over course and distance last time, has the assistance of Elliot Ohgren, one of the better riders in this race.
Prediction : 1st Barnacullia 2nd No Thanks 3rd Abraham