UK Horse Racing Tips: Leopardstown

RATH GAUL BOY's jumping experience will help as he meets smart Flat performer Postileo. A debut point-to-point winner, he failed to concede 20lb to the top-class A Dream To Share in May 2022 and again conceded 12lb to a smart 97-Flat-rated mare on hurdling debut at the Galway Festival (fourth and fifth won subsequently). His best form has been on a sound surface and while unproven on heavy, he has soft-ground form. Postileo was smart at middle and staying Flat distances for Roger Varian before selling to current connections for 78,000gns last October. He, too, has soft-ground form but while this distance should suit, heavy ground might inconvenience and he lacks jumping experience. Rokathir beat two subsequent UK winners when scoring at Rathcannon for Colin Bowe, before selling for 110,000 euros last April, but hasn't run since and meets capable rivals. Twoohthree was purchased by his current owners for 35,000 euros as a store horse and steps up markedly from his November point-to-point win.
Prediction : 1st Rath Gaul Boy 2nd Postileo 3rd Rokathir

MAGIC DAWN isn't entirely trustworthy but had veterinary excuses in January. She was reported to have bled from the nose at Aintree last April, but this season's form is useful and she was giving chase to a Listed bumper winner when exiting at Naas. On her latest start, she was worryingly reported to have coughed post-race, but also had a nasal discharge and was reported to have struck into her left-hind pastern. Notkeepinyagoing finished ahead of her (in 16th) at Aintree, but herself disappointed in January. She has hurdling form but lacks the selection's best ability. Point-to-point winner Roxhill Roise has recent form, but faces a slightly stiffer test than at Thurles (Miss D Hunter finished fifth). Ashdale Flyer pulled a shoe and suffered from an overreach at Navan but has 19 lengths to find with the selection on November form, while Doyen Magic is tried in a first-time tongue-tie.
Prediction : 1st Magic Dawn 2nd Notkeepinyagoing 3rd Roxhill Roise

Last year's Ulster National winner MALINA GIRL would prefer a longer distance, but reverts to hurdling rated 31lb below her chase rating and is ridden by a 5lb claimer. She was well held in an October handicap hurdle, but that was her seasonal reappearance run and she has been competing well at a smart level over fences recently. Pipers Boreen is 8lb higher than when winning narrowly at Punchestown last month and reverts down in distance. Bestaline has been running consistently well in recent handicaps and while she isn't ahead of the handicapper, should run well. Bella Bliss is rated 7lb lower in this sphere than over fences, but hasn't run since October and would prefer better ground. Circus Act has been running well, but has won just once from 21 runs. Lovely Reaction finished behind Pipers Boreen in January, but is now 12lb better off.
Prediction : 1st Malina Girl 2nd Pipers Boreen 3rd Bestaline

HE'S HOME AGAIN beat all bar the progressive Buachaillbocht over an extended 2m6f at Punchestown last month and remains at the right end of the handicap. The Eddie Cawley-trained gelding had From The Ashes about 12 lengths back in seventh and it was encouraging how strongly he finished last time. No Fussing has twice gone close over similar trips at Punchestown this year and is an obvious threat while Cosmo Renfro and See A Stride are others for the shortlist after filling the minor places behind the progressive Aodhan May over 3m1f also at Punchestown recently. Balum provided Jack Sutton with his first winner at Fairyhouse but has more to do here off an 11lb higher mark.
Prediction : 1st Hes Home Again 2nd Cosmo Renfro 3rd No Fussing

ASPIRE TOWER appears to have found a good opportunity to open his account over fences. The Henry de Bromhead-trained gelding was a smart sort over hurdles winning twice at Grade 2 level and has been placed on both outings over fences at Thurles this year behind high class rivals. He made a bold bid to make all when collared close home by Zanahiyr last month. Horantzau D'airy, second in a valuable handicap hurdle at the Listowel Festival with Thecompanysergeant five lengths back in fourth, is an interesting recruit to fences while Ambitious Fellow also switches to the larger obstacles but needs to bounce back after a couple of disappointing efforts and may find this trip too sharp.
Prediction : 1st Aspire Tower 2nd Horantzau Dairy 3rd Ambitious Fellow

BALDUR'S GATE won in good style over 3m1f at Punchestown in November and has held his form well since including when runner-up to R'evelyn Pleasure in a 2m4f Cork event. He now takes a drop in class after weakening after two out in the stamina sapping National Trial at Punchestown. St Denis's Well successfully switched to fences scoring twice within the space of three days and rates a serious threat despite going up 16lb for those victories. Soloman Lane was second to Galon De Vauzelle over C&D at Christmas but was let down by his jumping subsequently at Fairyhouse, while Lar's Lass caused a surprise when successful at Punchestown last time.
Prediction : 1st Baldurs Gate 2nd St Deniss Well 3rd Soloman Lane

STONEYFORD LADY caught the eye on debut when keeping on late into fourth in the 25-runner maiden hurdle won by Tullyhill at Naas in January. The winner has impressed subsequently in Listed company and the selection, a half-sister to stablemate Captain Guinness, has plenty of scope for improvement. Magic McColgan is a sister to King George winner Tornado Flyer and only weakened in the closing stages when fourth to the useful Barnahash Primrose at the Limerick Christmas meeting. She's A Nightowl was another to show promise on debut when fifth to subsequent Grade 2 winner Fleur Au Fusil at Naas while the runner-up, Lady Bluebird, also won since. That's All and Dansanttothetune won't lack for experience but appear quite exposed while Neon Diamond went close in a point last time.
Prediction : 1st Stoneyford Lady 2nd Magic McColgan 3rd Shes A Nightowl