UK Horse Racing Tips: Leopardstown

Foxy Girl shouldn't be judged too harshly on her ninth-placed finish in a similar contest at Fairyhouse in December having been hampered and losing all chance at the last. The six-year-old isn't taken lightly, but SHECOULDBEANYTHING makes slightly more appeal. Gordon Elliott's charge has some useful form in the book and she may find that the addition of a first-time tongue-tie unlocks some improvement, with Danny Gilligan's 5lb claim of value too. Although the progressive Feet Of A Dancer faces her stiffest assignment to date, the Authorized mare may not have reached her ceiling just yet.
Prediction : 1st Shecouldbeanything 2nd Foxy Girl 3rd Feet Of A Dancer

GAELIC WARRIOR has taken to chasing exceptionally well with a bloodless victory at Punchestown followed by success at the highest level in the Faugheen at Limerick. The minor concern is his habit to jump right at times, but the six-year-old has appeared to be more tractable over fences, especially last time, and is taken to confirm his superiority as the leading novice chaser at Closutton. That said, his stable companions Fact To File and Grangeclare West were both impressive here over Christmas and the former, who went straight over fences as opposed to going down the novice hurdle route, seems the more likely to give the selection a race.
Prediction : 1st Gaelic Warrior 2nd Fact To File 3rd Grangeclare West

BALLYBURN impressed when winning a maiden hurdle by 25 lengths over 2m4f here just after Christmas and rates a horse who is going places. That was a marked improvement from the gelding's hurdling debut, and this drop in trip is only a slight concern given the comprehensive manner of that performance. Farren Glory was in front when falling two out in the Formby at Aintree 40 days ago but could bounce back if that awkward landing hasn't left any mental scars. On the back of his Navan Grade 2 success, Slade Steel is no back number either.
Prediction : 1st Ballyburn 2nd Farren Glory 3rd Slade Steel

Star chaser EL FABIOLO had little difficulty of dispatching his rivals when landing the Grade 2 Hilly Way on his seasonal debut at Cork in December. Willie Mullins' speedster is hard to oppose on his current upward trajectory and he can complete a fourth Grade 1 victory over fences en route to the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham next month. The selection's stablemate Dinoblue impressed when landing a Grade 1 over C&D over Christmas and may put up most resistance, ahead of Captain Guinness.
Prediction : 1st El Fabiolo 2nd Dinoblue 3rd Captain Guinness

STATE MAN and Impaire Et Passe met over C&D at the Christmas meeting and the former, who took this prize 12 months ago, ran out a ready three-and-a-quarter-length winner, doing so with his usual understated dominance. With that in mind, Paul Townend's mount is expected to confirm those placings en route to another mouthwatering clash with Constitution Hill at Prestbury Park next month. Bob Olinger has looked much more like his old self and landed the Relkeel over an extended 2m4f at Cheltenham on New Year's Day, although even on his best form, he still has a lot to find to trouble the selection.
Prediction : 1st State Man 2nd Impaire Et Passe 3rd Bob Olinger

JAMES DU BERLAIS ran a fine race in defeat when fourth to Meetingofthewaters in the Paddy Power Chase here over 3m and the eight-year-old, who is 14lb better off with his stablemate, boasts strong credentials in his attempt to reverse the form, especially now dropping in trip. Inothewayurthinkin has shown promise on all three chase starts and warrants plenty of respect on his handicap debut, while similar comments apply to Heart Wood. Others for the shortlist include Indiana Jones, Perceval Legallois and Adamantly Chosen.
Prediction : 1st James Du Berlais 2nd Inothewayurthinkin 3rd Heart Wood

SO SCOTTISH was still going well when falling four out in the December Gold Cup at Cheltenham on his most recent outing. It would be no surprise to see the seven-year-old bounce back to winning ways now switched to hurdles off a comparatively lenient mark. Little separated An Tobar and Bialystok when third and fourth in the Royal Bond and both have to be respected. Magical Zoe is another with strong form claims, with the shortlist completed by Zenta and Common Practice.
Prediction : 1st So Scottish 2nd Bialystok 3rd Magical Zoe

AURORA VEGA hasn't been seen since September, but she won a Listed event at Gowran fairly comfortably and is now 3-3. As short as 14/1 for the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham next month, Willie Mullins' charge is expected to take all of the beating. Stable companions Baby Kate, who impressed at Cheltenham in November, and easy Thurles winner Femme Magnifique also command respect for the yard which was responsible for last year's winner Fun Fun Fun. In the famous double green silks this year, the Stuart Crawford-trained Mongibello could be a bit of value for those looking to take on the Mullins brigade following her bloodless Down Royal victory.
Prediction : 1st Aurora Vega 2nd Mongibello 3rd Femme Magnifique