UK Horse Racing Tips: Leopardstown

Runner-up on his racecourse debut at the Curragh last month, DISTANT SEAS may be able to go one place better. The Michael O'Callaghan-trained colt finished ahead of a couple of these opponents on that occasion and given that they had previous experience, the son of Sergei Prokofiev should confirm the form. East Hampton looked the winner for much of that race before weakening into fifth late on. David Marnane's colt still looks a work in progress, but has the potential to make up into a decent type. Third in that Curragh contest, Mount Parnassus has to enter calculations. Although perhaps not open to as much improvement as his rivals on his fifth start, the Ten Sovereigns colt has solid maiden form.
Prediction : 1st Distant Seas 2nd East Hampton 3rd Mount Parnassus

With her narrow Gowran Park conqueror going on to achieve black type next time, the Jessica Harrington-trained VA VA VROOM should be good enough to open her account. Despite running green on what was her first start, the daughter of Bated Breath kept on strongly close home once the penny dropped. With that initial experience to call upon, the filly should prevail. Fairhaven faces no easy task drawn wide in stall 17, but the Willie McCreery-trained daughter of New Bay has to be a contender. Slowly away on her racecourse debut at the Curragh in May, she stayed on nicely inside the final furlong. Stepping up in trip should suit now. Dignam catches the eye amongst the newcomers, carrying the well-known Paul Byrne colours.
Prediction : 1st Va Va Vroom 2nd Fairhaven 3rd Dignam

Only 1lb higher than when narrowly touched off at Limerick recently, IMPERIAL DREAM can register a first Irish success. Twice a winner for Sir Mark Prescott, the Holy Roman Emperor gelding has been remarkably consistent since joining present connections. In a race restricted to apprentices, it is an obvious advantage that the four-year-old has his regular jockey on board. Shoot To Kill has to have strong claims under Cian MacRedmond. Second over this course and distance last time, the seven-year-old had Imperial Dream behind him on that occasion. With the race winner following up subsequently, that form has a solid look. Oriental Dancer won here on her penultimate start before again running a big race at Tipperary earlier this month.
Prediction : 1st Imperial Dream 2nd Shoot To Kill 3rd Oriental Dancer

The Johnny Murtagh-trained MURKALA should have improved sufficiently from her debut fourth to make the breakthrough. Despite running green on her introduction, the daughter of Too Darn Hot shaped with plenty of promise in what is likely to turn out to be a decent maiden. With that initial run sure to have proven beneficial, she should be difficult to beat. Ecstatic, the first foal of a Group 1-winning filly, is of obvious interest under Ryan Moore. Although she doesn't hold any big-race entries, the daughter of Lord Kanaloa has to be respected given her connections. Swelter holds an entry in the Moyglare later in the season so the Kingman filly must be giving trainer Dermot Weld all the right signals at home.
Prediction : 1st Murkala 2nd Ecstatic 3rd Swelter

Recent C&D winner TARAWA looks the most solid option in a race where most of the leading contenders have questions to answer. Fourth in last year's Irish 1,000 Guineas, the Dermot Weld-trained four-year-old took time to build on that effort but looked much more like the finished article when winning here last month. Bold Discovery, who beat Tarawa at the Curragh last July, should again be in contention. The Jessica Harrington-trained gelding made a winning reappearance at this track in May before running down the field at Royal Ascot last month. Diego Velazquez has the highest official rating in the field, but will need to return to something like his best in order to get competitive.
Prediction : 1st Tarawa 2nd Bold Discovery 3rd Diego Velazquez

With James Ryan claiming a valuable 5lb, LONGBOURN has every chance of improving on his recent fifth-placed finish over C&D. Trapped on the rail over a furlong out, the Ross O'Sullivan-trained eight-year-old had to sit and suffer before running on late. Given a clearer passage on this occasion, it would be no surprise to see the gelding defy his weight burden. Having won twice over hurdles last winter, the Joseph O'Brien-trained Nurburgring is of obvious interest on his return to the Flat. O'Brien was unlucky not to collect with a similar type at the Curragh on Irish Derby weekend. Old Faithful disappointed at Royal Ascot last month, but had been in excellent form in this country prior to that.
Prediction : 1st Longbourn 2nd Nurburgring 3rd Old Faithful

Just denied on his previous visit here last month, VICE PRESIDENT can open his account at the third attempt. The Aidan O'Brien-trained colt, who had finished third at this track on his racecourse debut, attempted to make all but was collared right at the death. With the application of first-time cheekpieces now, the Galileo colt is again likely to make this a proper test. The ultra-consistent Declaree has blinkers on for the first time as the Johnny Murtagh-trained daughter of Fastnet Rock bids to shed her maiden tag. With a mark of 80, she sets a fair standard, albeit one that is beatable. Fourth on debut over C&D in April, the Noel Meade-trained Mick Collins has been given plenty of time to recover from that experience.
Prediction : 1st Vice President 2nd Declaree 3rd Mick Collins

The Andrew Slattery-trained CLOUD SEEKER has strong claims of following up on his recent breakthrough success at Limerick. The gelded son of Masar had been knocking on the door prior to registering a first success at the Munster track. With the runner-up doing her bit for the form when a close-up third at Navan at the weekend, the three-year-old should again be competitive. Top-weight Valleyoftheeagles should be involved having run a big race when second at the Curragh last time. Stepping back up in trip should be very much in the gelding's favour. Proleek Prince is of interest on his handicap debut. Having shown ability on all three maiden starts, the four-year-old looks on a lenient mark of 69, with Dylan Browne McMonagle a significant booking.
Prediction : 1st Cloud Seeker 2nd Valleyoftheeagles 3rd Proleek Prince