UK Horse Racing Tips: Leopardstown

VALENCIA kept good company on all three starts last year and her second to Swelter here over a mile has been well advertised since. The Joseph O'Brien-trained filly was subsequently fourth behind better-fancied stablemate Apples And Bananas in the Goffs Million and should be well up to winning a maiden. Knockmark came home well over this trip at Dundalk and should progress, while Monkstown needs to step up on the form of his two placed efforts to take a hand. Esherann and Scarlet Raider are two newcomers to keep an eye on in the market.
Prediction : 1st Valencia 2nd Esherann 3rd Knockmark

LOMBARDI TROPHY had fellow newcomers Jr Mahon and Roosevelt behind when making a bright start over 1m2f here last month and should benefit from the experience. The son of Galileo kept on into fourth behind Stay True to suggest he will be effective over this longer trip. Vorfreude is an obvious threat having filled the runner-up spot on both outings this year over Navan's stiff 1m2f. Dabashan gave plenty of encouragement on debut when keeping on strongly in the closing stages to take third over an extended 1m2f at Dundalk in March. Kasgani should step forward from his introduction at Cork.
Prediction : 1st Lombardi Trophy 2nd Vorfreude 3rd Dabashan

VESPERTILIO was a Group 2-winning juvenile and boasts smart placed form since when second in the Moyglare Stud Stakes and going close in the French Guineas. She made a pleasing reappearance when second to Lady With The Lamp (won again since) over 6f at Cork and is probably best suited by this trip. Fiery Lucy progressed well last term and finished up with an excellent fourth to Lake Victoria in the Breeder's Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf at Del Mar. Chantez won the Listed Ingabelle Stakes here last autumn and hopefully will benefit from her comeback at the Curragh on Monday.
Prediction : 1st Vespertilio 2nd Fiery Lucy 3rd Chantez

MUTASARREF gets the vote in what looks a quality renewal of this Listed race. The Ger Lyons-trained gelding has won four times at this venue and was only headed close home by Lord Massusus when reappearing over C&D last month. Diego Velazquez was only beaten a length in the French Guineas last year and went on to score twice at this venue, including when beating the selection (now 7lb better off) in the Group 2 Solonaway Stakes in September. Kortez Bay ran a cracker when second under a big weight in the Irish Lincolnshire, but probably needs soft ground to be seen at his best.
Prediction : 1st Mutasarref 2nd Diego Velazquez 3rd Lord Massusus

DELACROIX was a smart juvenile, winning a Group 3 at Newmarket before he was narrowly denied in the Group 1 Futurity Trophy at Doncaster. The Dubawi colt made an impressive reappearance in the Ballysax over C&D, beating Lambourn, and that form received a timely boost at Chester during the week. Tennessee Stud looks the chief threat having filled the runner-up spot behind Hotazhell in the Group 2 Beresford Stakes at the Curragh before going one better in the Group 1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud over this trip. Purview takes a big step up in class after justifying favouritism on his debut over a mile at Dundalk back in November.
Prediction : 1st Delacroix 2nd Tennessee Stud 3rd Purview

Dermot Weld, who has his string in good form, can add another success courtesy of ETAWA. An Irish Oaks entrant, the daughter of Kingman made a very pleasing racecourse debut when keeping on nicely to finish third over C&D last month. Having run green once coming off the bridle, she should know a lot more about what is required. Butterfly Wings, who finished a place behind the selection in that race, should again be involved. Aidan O'Brien's Justify filly sets the standard with an official rating of 83 but, having already had three career runs, she may not be open to as much improvement. Dundalk second Lady McC also holds claims.
Prediction : 1st Etawa 2nd Butterfly Wings 3rd Lady Mcc

A progressive handicapper last season, CLOUD SEEKER can register his first success of the new campaign. The Andrew Slattery-trained gelding took a few runs before getting his head in front last term, so should be all the better for a recent reappearance at Tipperary. Dropped 1lb for that outing, the four-year-old could be capable of further improvement. A course winner who is adaptable in terms of trip, he will almost certainly be ridden prominently over this 10 furlongs. A dual winner over this sort of distance last year, Masoun is another who should come on from a recent run and Joseph O'Brien's son of Too Darn Hot will appreciate stepping back up in distance. Navan maiden winner Sidiza also merits consideration.
Prediction : 1st Cloud Seeker 2nd Masoun 3rd Sidiza

MISTER ADAM could be well treated off a mark of 83. An eyecatching fourth on his debut at the Curragh in November, the son of Too Darn Hot arguably didn't handle the surface when unable to build on that effort at Dundalk next time. However, there was plenty to like about his recent reappearance when a staying-on third back at the Curragh. With the runner-up, who is rated 88, having franked that form subsequently, the Gerard O'Leary-trained top-weight has to be of definite interest. Navan second Palmezzano has strong claims of going one better and Joseph O'Brien's gelded son of Saxon Warrior wouldn't have to improve much to win. Dundalk scorer Drucker shouldn't be ruled out back on turf.
Prediction : 1st Mister Adam 2nd Palmezzano 3rd Drucker