UK Horse Racing Tips: Leopardstown

On paper this looks a very deep fillies' maiden with six horses holding Group 1 entries. GIRL LIKE YOU kept on for third on debut at the Curragh and the form looks strong. The step up in trip looks sure to suit for the Group 1 Moyglare Stud Stakes entrant. Proxima Centauri is really bred in the purple and can be a factor from a low draw, while Bint Majestic Roi is in the first crop by Ghaiyyath and a big run wouldn't be surprising. Frankel filly Exactly ought to improve upon a debut ninth at the Curragh, while Vanderbilt House and Chantez are other newcomers that could get into the mix along with the 80-rated Queens Fury.
Prediction : 1st Girl Like You 2nd Proxima Centauri 3rd Bint Majestic Roi

SERIALISE didn't have the clearest route in the Curragh, but ran on strongly in second to get to within a head of the winner. She is proven over further if this competitive handicap becomes a battle and appeals off 2lb higher. Quadruple won over 1m in Limerick and represents a very in-form pair in Ger Lyons and Colin Keane, so is a leading contender. Il Pellegrino is another Limerick winner who should have the scope to be a presence in handicaps. Front-runner Transcending Glory, Anvika (in a first-time tongue-strap) and bottom-weight Martinelli are others with chances.
Prediction : 1st Serialise 2nd Quadruple 3rd Il Pellegrino

WENDLA didn't stay 1m2f in the Curragh, but should be more than effective over this extended 7f. On her last visit to Leopardstown, she took the honours in a Group 3 over 1m. Crucially, she is ground versatile with plenty of rain in Ireland this week. Pat Foley's Special Wan has a rating of 105 after three placed efforts in a row in Listed and Group 3 company. She was just foiled by a head on her latest outing over a similar trip at this track and has to be respected. Jumbly disappointed at the Curragh, but has plenty of smart form in the book and shouldn't be underestimated, while Everlasting and Red Viburnum will have their supporters.
Prediction : 1st Wendla 2nd Special Wan 3rd Jumbly

LETIZA is on a mark she can be competitive off and has an each-way chance. She dropped down to a rating of 74 at the Curragh where she wasn't beaten far into fifth. It is worth noting that she reached a mark of 80 last year. Ferrybank won over C&D last month which was one of three victories under jockey Billy Lee this year, so they are leading contenders. Loingseoir is really sliding down the handicap and has to come under consideration off 73 especially as he showed more in fifth at the Curragh. The Tom McCourt pair of Eastern Wind and Rampage are in the mix along with Giuseppe Cassioli and Rio Largo.
Prediction : 1st Letiza 2nd Ferrybank 3rd Loingseoir

A staying on seventh in a one-mile premier handicap at the Curragh on Irish Derby weekend, SHAYZANN should benefit from the additional furlong here. Johnny Murtagh's four-year-old is drawn wider than ideal but should be keeping on strongly down the outside late on. The Aidan O'Brien-trained Air Commander disappointed at Royal Ascot last month but previous efforts at both Dundalk and Naas have been franked in the interim. The more rain that falls, the better for the son of Kingman. Benavente has yet to win from nine attempts on turf but there was a definite hint of better to come at the Curragh last time. It would be no surprise to see Kevin Coleman's gelding play a hand in the finish.
Prediction : 1st Shayzann 2nd Air Commander 3rd Benavente

Having not enjoyed the run of the race when fifth here last time, RANKO EXPRESS can make amends under Ben Coen. A winner at Gowran Park off a pound lower last season, the gelding had shaped with distinct promise on his reappearance at Cork in May before running well below par next time. On the back of a much better effort at the Foxrock track recently, Kevin Coleman's four-year-old can add a second career win. A four-time winner on turf, Hurricane Helen has been in excellent form on the all-weather over the winter. Absent since April, the Chris Timmons-trained mare has run well off similar breaks in the past. Engines On has once again been done no favours with his draw here but the Prunella Dobbs-trained four-year-old has been a consistent gelding in recent outings.
Prediction : 1st Ranko Express 2nd Hurricane Helen 3rd Engines On

The Noel Meade-trained JESSE EVANS should prove difficult to beat if ready on his first start since last November. On that occasion, the So You Think gelding ran a big race when third in a Group 3 at the Curragh. Having twice finished runner-up on his seasonal reappearance, the eight-year-old can go one better. Sixandahalf looked smart when easily winning her maiden at Cork in May, before finishing runner-up to a decent type at Listowel subsequently. Although she will need to improve if she is to beat the Meade gelding here, Gavin Cromwell's mare looks the main threat. Recent Ballinrobe winner Royal Eagle faces an altogether different task now but is a fit in-form mare so has to be considered.
Prediction : 1st Jesse Evans 2nd Sixandahalf 3rd Royal Eagle