UK Horse Racing Tips: Leopardstown

Riding arrangements suggest BUTTERFLY WINGS is preferred of Aidan O'Brien's three runners. The daughter of Justify showed promise on both outings over a mile last year and may progress further over this longer trip. Takemetothemoon also has plenty to recommend on her two runs as a juvenile and shouldn't be lightly discounted, while Tswalu didn't enjoy a clear passage on debut at Cork and is bound to progress from the experience. Catalina Delcarpio (by Lope De Vega) cost 400,000 guineas as a yearling, while Etawa is another interesting newcomer by Kingman with plenty of stamina on the dam side.
Prediction : 1st Butterfly Wings 2nd Catalina Delcarpio 3rd Takemetothemoon

GAME POINT was putting in his best work at the finish on both outings last year and should appreciate this step up in trip. The Ger Lyons-trained colt beat all bar Kibris in a 27-runner maiden at the Curagh and just gets the vote over Kilcrea Rock. The son of Wootton Bassett has a similar profile and the form of his second to Serious Contender here over a mile has already been advertised this season. Aidan O'Brien has three newcomers with Ryan Moore partnering Stay True, while Lombardi Trophy is another that appeals on pedigree also being from the last crop of super stallion Galileo.
Prediction : 1st Game Point 2nd Kilcrea Rock 3rd Stay True

ARD NA MARA won a 1m1f Punchestown maiden last autumn and was again prominent throughout when making the frame on her latest start over C&D. The selection only weakened in the closing stages on testing ground and may be better suited by this sounder surface. Ozark Daze, Pepper Noir and Sacred Oath all ran well on the Polytrack over the winter, while it will be interesting to see if the market speaks in favour of Instant Appeal after a lengthy absence.
Prediction : 1st Ard Na Mara 2nd Ozark Daze 3rd Pepper Noir

SOME PERFORMANCE showed plenty of promise on both outings last year notably when a close fourth at the Curragh behind Expanded. That form looks very strong in the context of this race as the winner was only beaten a neck seven days later in the Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket. No Such Thing made a promising debut when runner-up to Orchidaceae in a 21-runner Curragh maiden and again advertised his claims when placed behind the odds-on Currawood over 7f at Dundalk last month. Desmond Castle is not the most consistent of performers but has claims on his second to Montpellier Green in a 7f Curragh nursery.
Prediction : 1st Some Performance 2nd No Such Thing 3rd Desmond Castle

MUTASARREF has proved a great servant to connections with ten career wins and is very effective at this venue scoring four times. The selection had Lord Massusus back in third when taking the Group 3 Desmond Stakes over C&D last August and was also successful on his latest start over a mile at Cork. Uluru showed smart placed form last year including when only beaten a length in the Sandringham Stakes over this trip at Royal Ascot and is well treated by the conditions, while This Songisforyou also boasts high level handicap form having landed the 'Northfields' at the Curragh last autumn. Bluedrum was second to Jancis in a Group 3 over 7f here last summer and has scope for further improvement.
Prediction : 1st Mutasarref 2nd Uluru 3rd Bluedrum

COMFORT LINE won three times on turf for Mick Mulvany before recording a further six wins over the past 18 months at Dundalk for current connections. The selection has been a model of consistency this year and had Imperial Fighter back in fifth when successful last time over this trip on the Polytrack. The Bear Trap and Moyassr are others for the shortlist having also won at Dundalk last time, while Enchanted Garden scored in good style over C&D last summer and reportedly scoped badly when disappointing on her only subsequent start. Pier Pressure and Morning Approach are others to consider.
Prediction : 1st Comfort Line 2nd Moyassr 3rd Enchanted Garden

BROWNED OFF was given a lowly rating after three modest maiden runs at Dundalk but showed definite promise on her handicap debut here over a mile. The Paul Flynn-trained filly only weakened inside the final furlong when beaten just over four lengths and should be suited by this shorter trip. Are You In Or Out filled the runner-up spot twice last year including on her penultimate start when beating all bar Genuine Jim in a 24-runner handicap over this trip at the Curragh. Half Nutz likes to come from off the pace and is seeking a seventh career win on his first start for Chris Timmons.
Prediction : 1st Browned Off 2nd Half Nutz 3rd Are You In Or Out

HIGHER KINGDOM has gained all six career wins on the all-weather including four at Dundalk for John McConnell. The Kingman gelding has given trouble in the stalls this year but gave encouragement when staying on into fourth behind Top Of The Pops at Gowran last week. Si Senor won a Sligo maiden as a juvenile and has dropped down to a competitive mark as evidenced by his close fourth over a mile here last time. Slieve Bearnagh was a fun dual-purpose gelding for Mick Halford and added two hurdle wins last summer to three previous victories on the Flat, while Harbanaker is another to consider on his staying on fourth behind Flier at Dundalk last month.
Prediction : 1st Higher Kingdom 2nd Si Senior 3rd Slieve Bearnagh