UK Horse Racing Tips: Leopardstown

With four of the six hailing from Willie Mullins' Closutton base, the percentages would tell you he is most likely to saddle the winner. Stable jockey Paul Townend opts to ride PREDATORS GOLD, though, and he gets the vote. A staying-on second over 2m in the Future Champions Novice Hurdle, he can go one better now upped in trip. Jetara bolted up in a Grade 3 against her own sex here last time and she's an interesting candidate in receipt of weight, while recent Grade 2 winner Loughglynn is most appealing of the remainder.
Prediction : 1st Predators Gold 2nd Jetara 3rd Loughglynn

Jockey Paul Townend rarely gets it wrong when choosing a first string amongst the Willie Mullins' contingent and STORM HEART looks a juvenile with an exciting future, having scored with authority on his stable debut at Punchestown in December. Kala Conti arguably sets the standard on form, following a Grade 2 success over C&D from the reopposing Kargese at Christmas, though she may need to step up again. Stablemates of the selection, Bunting and Highwind impressed on debut respectively and are open to any amount of improvement on the rise in grade.
Prediction : 1st Storm Heart 2nd Bunting 3rd Kargese

Last year's Supreme winner MARINE NATIONALE took to chasing exceptionally well over C&D at Christmas and a similar style of victory on this occasion would cement his position as the leading 2m novice chaser on either side of the Irish Sea. Found A Fifty landed a Grade 1 here on Boxing Day, with Sharjah (third) and the disappointing Facile Vega (fourth) in behind, so the main Willie Mullins contender may well prove to be Il Etait Temps, who claimed the scalp of Facile Vega at this meeting 12 months ago and shaped with plenty of credit when runner-up to Gaelic Warrior in the Faugheen at Limerick.
Prediction : 1st Marine Nationale 2nd Il Etait Temps 3rd Found A Fifty

Only one horse has carried more than 10st 13lb to success in the last nine years, so it might pay to side with MUSIC OF TARA, who broke her duck over hurdles when winning here (2m4f) in December. A subsequent 7lb hike will ask more questions of Henry de Bromhead's mare, but the step up to an extended 3m could see her in an even better light. Canal End hit the frame in a similar event at Navan last time and he holds obvious claims off 1lb higher. Others to note include Fine Margin, Black Bamboo and Gaoth Chuil.
Prediction : 1st Music Of Tara 2nd Canal End 3rd Fine Margin

All concerns about GALOPIN DES CHAMPS following last season's Gold Cup success were laid to rest with the star chaser delivering a performance right out of the top drawer in the Savills Chase here over Christmas. A 23-length demolition of Gerri Colombe was a true reflection of what Willie Mullins' charge can achieve when at his very best and he can defend the title he claimed so impressively 12 months ago. He meets Fastorslow for the fourth time, with the score being 2-1 in favour of his rival, and Martin Brassil's gelding is the only one in the line-up capable of giving the selection a race, with Conflated and I Am Maximus needing plenty of luck to go in their direction for them to surprise.
Prediction : 1st Galopin Des Champs 2nd Fastorslow 3rd Conflated

It may pay to be in a forgiving mood with the lightly-raced HENN SEE, who disappointed on his latest start at Limerick, but he can make his presence felt off what could prove a lenient mark on his handicap debut. Path D'oroux rates as the main danger to the selection on the back of his creditable second to a useful type over an extended 2m1f at Fairyhouse last month, while The Folkes Tiara has solid claims after giving an exhibition of jumping en route to victory over C&D on Boxing day.
Prediction : 1st Henn See 2nd Path Doroux 3rd The Folkes Tiara

It was in this contest last year that A DREAM TO SHARE rose to prominence before a memorable Champion Bumper double at Cheltenham and Punchestown. The six-year-old sets a lofty standard, even after a 283-day absence, and he should have too much for Redemption Day, who returned from a similar layoff himself to run an excellent race over C&D at Christmas. Of those with less experience, You Oughta Know and Jeroboam Machin are capable of being in the shake-up.
Prediction : 1st A Dream To Share 2nd Redemption Day 3rd You Oughta Know