UK Horse Racing Tips: Leopardstown

ESPRITROYALE is a hopeful pick in a race where newcomers are likely to figure prominently. The selection wears a hood on her debut and carries plenty of weight for a filly racing against colts, but has a smart pedigree. A 52,000gns yearling, her winning dam is a half-sister to four-time Group 1 winner Peeping Fawn and another top-level winner in Thewayyouare, so she could be useful. Dial Me In, a 42,000-euro yearling, is a grandson of a German 1,000 Guineas winner and represents a leading yard, while Sanctijude's dam was Listed-placed and has already bred two useful winners.
Prediction : 1st Espritroyale 2nd Dial Me In 3rd Sanctijude

FERRYBANK is a dual course winner who shaped nicely on his recent reappearance. A five-time winner who is suited by this distance, he won over a mile here last June and although beaten over five lengths here last week, should improve from that effort and today's sounder surface will also help. Finsceal Annie won last week's race and although burdened with a fixed 7lb penalty, she is ground-versatile and should compete. Prince Of Eyeries has been raised 6lb for winning a Gowran claimer.
Prediction : 1st Ferrybank 2nd Finsceal Annie 3rd Prince Of Eyeries

Three-time winner CORDOUAN has a wide draw but has run notable races recently and appears well handicapped, having once been rated 91. Ridden from off the pace when powering home behind stablemate Ransom at the Curragh last month, he was well supported when finishing third here last week and reverting to this distance should help. Ransom himself stalled at the start before encountering every red light at Roscommon in mid-May prior to that Curragh success, but is now 8lb higher. The three-year-old Faoladh was beaten a short head over C&D recently and is 3lb higher.
Prediction : 1st Cordouan 2nd Ransom 3rd Faoladh

FAR FROM DANDY was a useful two-year-old in the UK last year and should progress following last month's reappearance. He ran nicely for fourth at the Curragh on his Irish debut and although beaten three lengths, that race was over an inadequate 7f and he struck over a mile as a juvenile. Sir Jeremy's rating had fallen prior to finishing well at Fairyhouse recently and while raised 5lb for that second, he should compete. Mississippi River was beaten at long odds-on at Naas last month and is now tried in first-time blinkers.
Prediction : 1st Far From Dandy 2nd Sir Jeremy 3rd Mississippi River

ELUSIVE DUKE's rating has fallen dramatically this year but showed a return to form at Limerick eight days ago, when he was the subject of late on-course support. Runner-up to a smart performer in his debut run last September, he was well held in handicaps prior to last time and he could be ideally suited to stepping up to this distance. Four-time course-and-distance winner Smaoineamh Sile scored here recently and carries her correct revised weight under a 7lb penalty, but in contrast to last week (where Obama Army finished fifth), is badly drawn in 18. Harbanaker is another course-and-distance winner but is similarly drawn wide in 16.
Prediction : 1st Elusive Duke 2nd Smaoineamh Sile 3rd Harbanaker

EAGLES WHISTLE is a 40-rated nine-race maiden but has run well recently and appears progressive. A five-year-old who didn't race until last October, she is also a slow-starter in her races but ran nicely at Killarney in May and finished well over seven furlongs at Listowel. Today's rider claims 3lb and she could be suited by stepping up to this distance. Noble Andy has form over longer distances at this grade and is 3lb lower than when finishing fifth at Fairyhouse recently but dropping in distance isn't ideal. Quirky six-time winner Higher Kingdom is a 29-race maiden on turf and while he ran well at Gowran recently, can often give trouble in stalls and flopped here last week.
Prediction : 1st Eagles Whistle 2nd Noble Andy 3rd Higher Kingdom

CARTHUSIAN ran well on his debut last month when he shaped like a real staying type. Out of a Listed winner and a 340,000-euro yearling, he was outpaced early in the home straight at Navan but finished his race well. He holds Happy Pharoah on that form and should be much better for that experience over today's longer distance. Paul Henry made the running on his Gowran debut in April but faded tamely in the closing stages. He too steps up in distance but needs to show more. Keyboard completes the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Carthusian 2nd Paul Henry 3rd Keyboard

Success for A DREAM TO SHARE could put him in the mix for Galway's amateur riders' handicap. He completed a memorable bumper five-timer under today's rider in 2022/23, culminating in wins at Cheltenham and Punchestown and while he subsequently had setbacks, showed his old ability racing over inadequate distances on recent Curragh runs. Weight-receiving Royal Hollow is a Grade 3-placed hurdler who has Flat form but will struggle against an on-song selection. Capable course-specialist Gaoth Chuil will be ideally suited by today's staying distance and has solid place claims.
Prediction : 1st A Dream To Share 2nd Royal Hollow 3rd Gaoth Chuil