UK Horse Racing Tips: Leopardstown

Point-to-point winner FINAL DEMAND created a big impression on his debut under Rules at the Limerick Christmas meeting and the form of that 2m5f maiden hurdle has worked out well since. Riding arrangements suggest he's the pick of Willie Mullins' five runners, with stablemate Supersundae suggested as the chief threat. The easy Ballinrobe maiden winner was well supported and ran quite keenly when runner-up to The Yellow Clay, with Wingmen three lengths back in third and Jasmin De Vaux let down by his jumping in fourth, in a Grade 1 at Naas on his reappearance and is now fitted with a hood. Mozzies Sister and Pray Tell are others to consider.
Prediction : 1st Final Demand 2nd Supersundae 3rd Mozzies Sister

SAINTE LUCIE is held in high regard by connections and confirmed that opinion when readily landing a 20-runner Punchestown maiden on her Irish debut. Paul Townend is again aboard in preference to three other Willie Mullins-trained runners, including Lady Vega Allen. The latter won on her only start over hurdles in France and just failed to peg back Hello Neighbour, with Sony Bill seven lengths back in third, on her Irish debut in a Grade 2 here at Christmas. Wendrock beat Galileo Dame, who was Listed-placed on the Flat, by two lengths in a maiden over C&D at the Christmas Festival.
Prediction : 1st Sainte Lucie 2nd Hello Neighbour 3rd Lady Vega Allen

MEETINGOFTHEWATERS currently holds a chase rating of 148 and appears to be off a very attractive mark on his first hurdles start for Willie Mullins. He won a handicap hurdle for Eugene O'Sullivan and improved rapidly over fences for the champion trainer, winning twice, including the valuable Paddy Power Chase at this venue in 2023. Perceval Legallois reverts to hurdles for the first time since winning this race two years ago and comes here following an impressive victory in the latest renewal of the Paddy Power at Christmas. Flicker Of Hope has progressed from a mark of 90 in winning four handicap hurdles last year, including when just touching off Backmersackme over 3m1f at Navan in December.
Prediction : 1st Meetingofthewaters 2nd Perceval Legallois 3rd Flicker Of Hope

MAJBOROUGH landed the Triumph Hurdle last March and justified connections' decision to go straight over fences this season with an impressive victory at Fairyhouse. He looks set to take high rank in the novice chasing division and is preferred to stablemate Ile Atlantique, who has jumped well when making all on both chase starts. He beat Firefox by five lengths in a Grade 2 at Naas, while Touch Me Not also likes to force the pace and took a Grade 2 over 2m at Punchestown on his penultimate start. Jeannot Lapin caused a 150/1 shock when successful over C&D at Christmas, but has a lot more on his plate here.
Prediction : 1st Majborough 2nd Ile Atlantique 3rd Touch Me Not

GALOPIN DES CHAMPS is unbeaten in six runs here over fences and can complete a hat-trick of wins in this race on his way to also bidding for three successive victories in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. The Timos gelding appeared close to his brilliant best and was typically strong at the finish when beating Fact To File by seven lengths in the Savills Chase over C&D, with Inothewayurthinkin, Grangeclare West, Conflated, Minella Cocooner and I Am Maximus all strung out behind. Embassy Gardens made a pleasing reappearance when beating Monty's Star (now 6lb worse off) by five lengths at Tramore on New Year's Day.
Prediction : 1st Galopin Des Champs 2nd Fact To File 3rd Embassy Gardens

MIDNIGHT IT IS had Dont Go Yet about five lengths back in fourth when recording an impressive win at Navan and wasn't helped by a mistake at the last when bidding for a hat-trick over this trip at Fairyhouse last time. The selection had Captains Nephew just over a length behind when third to stablemate The King Of Prs on that latest start and still appears on the upgrade. An Peann Dearg came out on top in a blanket finish over C&D at Christmas, while My Mate Mozzie was a smart novice over fences last season and the Galway Hurdle third now runs in his first handicap chase. Fascile Mode also tries handicap company for the first time over fences.
Prediction : 1st Midnight It Is 2nd Captains Nephew 3rd My Mate Mozzie

There may not be much to choose between the two Willie Mullins-trained runners and SORTUDO could provide better value. The son of Authorized scored in good style at Tramore and had Koktail Brut over three lengths behind in fourth when runner-up last time to Carrigmoornaspruce over C&D. Green Splendour showed promise on debut in a valuable sales bumper at Newbury before making a winning start for the champion trainer here at Christmas. Point-to-point winner He Can't Dance justified very short odds at Navan and may prove the pick of Gordon Elliott's three runners, while Colcannon has plenty of experience and gained a deserved success at Galway.
Prediction : 1st Sortudo 2nd Green Splendour 3rd He Cant Dance