UK Horse Racing Tips: Leopardstown

ARGENTO BOY had the form of his Punchestown second franked when his conqueror The Big Westerner triumphed in Grade 2 company at Limerick on Thursday. The grey has looked one to follow ever since announcing his arrival with a bang little under a year ago in a Fairyhouse bumper. His efforts after that at the top level weren't anything special but, as a staying hurdler, better can be expected. The hope would be that his stable companion Port Joulain can get back on track after suffering an overreach to his left fore at Punchestown nearly three weeks back. Harbour Highway let his many backers down badly at Fairyhouse and it would take a leap of faith to row in behind him. The likes of I Am Lorenzo and The Enabler seem more solid.
Prediction : 1st Argento Boy 2nd I Am Lorenzo 3rd The Enabler

Considering that stamina has always looked to be ARTIC LANE's forte, he did well to get it done, albeit only just, over a trip marginally shy of two miles at Thurles last month. It's obviously encouraging to note that the one he edged out on that occasion, Relieved Of Duties, has since bolted up at Cork. Now that he has the winning habit again (the selection did impress in a point-to-point in the past), it may pay to put the memory of some short-priced defeats in the past. Artic Lane ought to have sufficient jumping experience for a handicap debut where a mark of 116 looks workable. Liam McKenna's claim and 2m4f are further boosts to the Queally runner's chances, and he was second previously at this track. Very much in-form duo Ol Man Dingle and Sonny May certainly need considering closely.
Prediction : 1st Artic Lane 2nd Sonny May 3rd Ol Man Dingle

JETARA may be able to repeat last year's success in this competitive looking heat. Her 145 official rating certainly makes the Jessica Harrington representative the one to aim at, and the Walk In The Park mare will find it less taxing back solely against her own sex now. She was showing signs of being in season post-race when fifth behind Home By The Lee in the Lismullen Hurdle last time. Prior to that it became apparent that there were more strings to her bow than just staying power, Jetara clearly delighting connections by displaying sufficient pace to win a Curragh maiden over 1m4f. Given that she's progressing at a rate of knots, World Of Fortunes won't be taken lightly by anyone. The powerhouse yards will make their presence felt also, with Lot Of Joy seemingly sure to be there or thereabouts.
Prediction : 1st Jetara 2nd World Of Fortunes 3rd Lot of Joy

BIG STAGE put a Navan fall behind him with a fine third at long odds behind the top-class Impaire Et Passe at Fairyhouse and, with further progress possible now upped in trip, Gordon Elliott's six-year-old could be well treated on his handicap chase debut off a mark of 123. This is competitive, though, with Sam Magee also likely to relish the return to further after he won going away off 8lb lower over an extended 2m5f at Fairyhouse. St Denis's Well was second that day but reopposes Henry de Bromhead's gelding on better terms and has since scored over hurdles. Ballybrack Wood and the hat-trick seeking Jouster are just two others to consider.
Prediction : 1st Big Stage 2nd Sam Magee 3rd Jouster

This represents a fascinating rematch between STATE MAN and Brighterdaysahead after the latter just came out on top when they met in the Morgiana at Punchestown last month. However, Gordon Elliott's mare had the benefit of a recent run that day, whereas the former was making his seasonal debut and it showed as he made an uncharacteristic mistake at the last. Expected to be much sharper for that pipe-opener, Willie Mullins' Champion Hurdle hero can gain revenge and claim this prize for the third year in a row. It looks a match between the top two in the betting, with Mystical Power possibly best of the remainder.
Prediction : 1st State Man 2nd Brighterdaysahead 3rd Mystical Power

TOUNSIVATOR's Royal Bond defeat of Romeo Coolio was boosted by the winner landing Friday's Grade 1 here. Willie Mullins' five-year-old finished with a wet sail at Fairyhouse so the extra half-mile could see him in an even better light. Mr Percy put a hurdling debut mishap behind him by winning at Limerick before filling the runner-up berth in a Navan Grade 3, although he lacks experience of the hurly-burly of a race of this nature. His stablemate Comfort Zone remains nicely treated in this sphere, and his owner JP McManus has a typically strong hand, with Park Of Kings fancied to reverse Naas running with The Busy Fool. Sa Fureur was impressive over fences last time and drops to a considerably lower mark.
Prediction : 1st Tounsivator 2nd Sa Fureur 3rd Comfort Zone

KOKTAIL BRUT is quite prominent in the ante-post market for the Champion Bumper, and deservedly so following a sparkling victory on his first start under Rules at Fairyhouse. That went some way to justifying the 250,000 euros shelled out for him after he won his sole point-to-point in bloodless fashion and he is yet another exciting prospect for the Gigginstown/Gordon Elliott combination. Sortudo justified odds-on favouritism with the minimum of fuss at Tramore and is expected to step forward. Elliott's apparent second string William Butler sprung a surprise on debut, but there was certainly no fluke about it. The application of a hood can help Galway winner Colcannon get competitive in this better contest.
Prediction : 1st Koktail Brut 2nd Sortudo 3rd William Butler