UK Horse Racing Tips: Leopardstown

CAPTAIN CODY narrowly holds Backtonormal and Blizzard Of Oz on Naas form and showed ability in bumpers at this shorter distance. All three are closely matched on these same terms, with the selection having also defeated Backtonormal by 10 lengths, when 5lb better off, in January. The selection also also defeated stablemate Blizzard Of Oz by 6.5 lengths when receiving 5lb in a January 2023 bumper. Blizzard Of Oz's finishing effort at Naas was disappointing but, of the trio, he is a strong-traveller who could be most suited by this distance. Top-weight The Other Mozzie defeated Purse Price by 4.5 lengths to win at Down Royal in December but is now 12lb worse off. Both have been well beaten on their most recent runs though. Bumper winner Mill House Creek debuts over hurdles against experienced rivals, following a break.
Prediction : 1st Captain Cody 2nd Backtonormal 3rd Blizzard Of Oz

CROOKED TANNIE returned to form when failing to concede 8lb to a Cheltenham-bound winner last month. He defeated today's rival Master Otis easily when 5lb worse off at Tipperary last July and showed that old sparkle at Thurles. Zeeband was a stayer on the flat but his best hurdles' form was achieved over this distance in January. The nicely-in Gowran runner-up scored subsequently but both he and Clonshire River had been well beaten in a Christmas handicap hurdle. Clonshire River has recent form but might struggle to win. Gabriel Ranger is a dark horse and while beaten four and three-quarter lengths by Master Otis last March, was in contention when falling behind Clonshire River at Thurles. Previously reported to have 'hung violently right' at Punchestown in January, he isn't straightforward but has ability. Master Otis ran well behind easy winner Tullyhill in January but flopped recently. Lord Vader has some heavy-ground flat form but might prefer a sound surface.
Prediction : 1st Crooked Tannie 2nd Zeeband 3rd Clonshire River

ASHDALE BOB mightn't need to improve in today's first-time cheekpieces to win, as he takes a breather dropping in grade. His previous win came in April 2021 but has contested many hot races since and while dropping in distance isn't ideal, retains good ability. Veteran Cash Back won a legless Clonmel hurdle in December and while beaten in a more charitable event at Punchestown on February 18, might still struggle to concede 5lb to the selection. Consisstent novice Dee Capo ran well behind a useful winner at Navan in November. He returns from a break with his rider claiming 5lb but faces a stiff test. Nine-time winner Effernock Fizz is held by Cash Back on July form while Sir Allen has plenty weight.
Prediction : 1st Ashdale Bob 2nd Cash Back 3rd Dee Capo

CLEAR THE CLOUDS is a 13-race maiden who drops in distance but has recent heavy-ground form. Placed over 2m1f last July, his two recent runs have been encouraging, with the winner of the Navan race boosting the form by scoring subsequently. Gamigin was beaten in his first 17 hurdle runs but has won his last two. He is 8lb higher than when winning at Down Royal but his same rider claims an extra 3lb. Tuckmill was reported to have blood at both nostrils on each of his last two runs, including when winning in December (with Sunwalk finishing fifth and Ivane seventh). He returns from a break on more testing ground and is 5lb higher than at Naas, when his rider claimed 4lb. Clever Currency won last year's renewal but was well beaten twice recently. Milk Market debuts in handicaps returning from a break while Magic Olinger ran well on his own recent handicap bow. Coillte Aris was gambled at Clonmel and is now tried in a first-time tongue-tie while first reserve Papa Barns was reported to have hung badly left on his previous run and reverts down in distance.
Prediction : 1st Clear The Clouds 2nd Gamigin 3rd Clever Currency

The lightly-raced SNAKE OIL won a 2m4f Fairyhouse maiden hurdle and, following a year lay-off, has shaped well in handicap chases over shorter trips including at this venue. The Barry Connell-trained gelding was beaten just over a length at Naas last time and should be suited by this step up in distance. Birchdale landed the valuable Leopardstown Chase off a similar mark two years ago and won a cross country race at Punchestown on his last completed start. Now Where Or When can be fancied on his third to Kemboy in the Bobbyjo Chase last year, while Grandero Bello handles soft ground well but needs to overcome an absence of over ten months. Digby has come up against some useful sorts over fences and now tackles handicap company.
Prediction : 1st Snake Oil 2nd Birchdale 3rd Digby

WHERE'S FRANKIE is a real Fairyhouse specialist (his last nine runs have been at the track) gaining all four career wins at that course over three miles and further. The Karl Thornton-trained gelding showed great reserves of stamina when successful over 3m2f on his penultimate outing, with Pictures Of Home about six lengths behind in fourth, and hopefully he can translate his good form to this venue. Young Dev stays well and is suited by testing ground and returned to form when scoring at Navan last month. Cavalry Master has dropped in the ratings and gave some encouragement at Gowran last time, while any support for Outside The Door would be interesting.
Prediction : 1st Wheres Frankie 2nd Young Dev 3rd Cavalry Master

Just two of these have run and Buckaway Freddie showed some promise when runner-up to Kap De Triomphe in a five-runner event at Naas. It may pay to rely on one of the newcomers and perhaps NITTY GRITTY can make a successful start. The Joseph O'Brien-trained gelding is from the first crop of Order Of St George and hails from a family of bumper winners including his half-sister Lionnar who scored at the Curragh last summer. Rural Link, a half-brother to Cuban Hope who won five times up to 1m4f, is a rare bumper runner for Jim Bolger while Man Of Action and Kilbarry Ace have eye-catching jockey bookings and are others to note in the preliminaries and the betting market.
Prediction : 1st Nitty Gritty 2nd Buckaway Freddie 3rd Rural Link