UK Horse Racing Tips: Leopardstown

DIAMOND NECKLACE began her career with a victory in a valuable fillies' race at the Curragh and looks to have a bright future. Afterwards, Aidan O'Brien mentioned the Group 1 Fillies' Mile at Newmarket as a possibility which shows the regard in which she is held in. Slow ground isn't proving a hindrance to the early progeny of her sire St Mark's Basilica, so she should cope with conditions. Brownstown is both course and ground proven, and this is a drop in class for her after fourth places in a Group 3 at this venue and in a Group 2 in the Curragh. British-raider Sukanya ran on for fourth in a Group 3 at Goodwood and should handle the ground.
Prediction : 1st Diamond Necklace 2nd Brownstown 3rd Sukanya

DUNUM was second in this race two years ago and was a non runner last year due to coughing, so could make it third time lucky. Natalia Lupini's charge had a productive Galway Festival in winning a valuable handicap before finishing third in another good contest five days later. Crucially, he is very much at home on soft ground. Gleneagle Bay finished a place in front of Dunum in second in the Ahonoora Handicap at Galway and that form received a major boost when the winner followed up in a Group 3. He has certainly shown that he handles testing conditions. Rahmi was a more than creditable fourth in Listed class at Cork which brings him right into contention.
Prediction : 1st Dunum 2nd Gleneagle Bay 3rd Rahmi

Tactics should be fascinating in this Group 2. Aidan O'Brien's MONTREAL was an impressive eight-length winner off the front in a maiden over C&D last month, to put himself firmly in the 'could be anything' category, after which connections identified this race. He holds Group One entries for the end of the season and looks to be a colt with considerable potential. His stablemate, Benvenuto Cellini, also made all to get off the mark in a Killarney maiden (on yielding to soft ground) that has thrown up subsequent winners including fourth-placed Hardy Warrior over C&D. Benvenuto Cellini has all the 'right' entries and is a major contender. Nil Bua Gan Dua is a massive price, but could outrun his odds.
Prediction : 1st Montreal 2nd Benvenuto Cellini 3rd Hardy Warrior

AL AASY holds strong claims for William Haggas. The comfortable manner in which he put away the placed horses rated 110 and 108 when landing a Group 3 at Goodwood was taking. He's a money-spinner for connections, enjoys this trip, and is ground versatile. Trustyourinstinct is very solid at Group 3 level as evidenced by winning this race last year. He should be fresh as he has been off since readily scoring at the Curragh in June. Lightly-raced Convergent has seen his mark rocket to 112 after a third place in the Chester Vase, while Sons And Lovers would prefer better ground but shouldn't be discounted. It's A Heartbeat has been dismissed by the bookmakers, but is a progressive sort.
Prediction : 1st Al Aasy 2nd Trustyourinstinct 3rd Convergent

FALLEN ANGEL pipped January by a head in the Group 1 Prix Rothschild at Deauville last month and may have her measure again. She gave January 7lb in France and is better off in this contest as she has to concede her 5lb. Fallen Angel was runner-up in this race last year. There is a big day in January who has been placed in her last three outings in Group One company and Christophe Soumillon gets the leg up for the second time having partnered her in Deauville. The likeable Cercene was successful at the highest level at Royal Ascot and is a contender. If there is to be an upset on this ground, mudlark Sparks Fly is a big price.
Prediction : 1st Fallen Angel 2nd January 3rd Cercene

No less than five of these faced off in the Desmond Stakes over the course and distance early last month, with JOHAN making all to register a 10th career success. Ronan Whelan retains the ride on the Jack Channon-trained eight-year-old, who is notably proven on soft ground. The underfoot conditions are more of an unknown for fellow UK raider Skukuza. Two from two in Ireland and comfortably accounting for some of these rivals at the Curragh in June, he didn't get the run of the race when a never nearer third on his most recent start at York. Second in this race 12-months ago, Mutasarref always warrants the utmost respect at Leopardstown, while the five three-year-olds in the line-up are all of varying degrees of interest. Just half-a-length off the selection when last seen, Alakazi is sure to have plenty of supporters, while Donnacha O'Brien's Commanche Brave is another leading hope.
Prediction : 1st Johan 2nd Skukuza 3rd Alakazi

With conditions in his favour, WHITE BIRCH could register a famous win for John Murphy. The likeable grey had no luck in running when a never nearer fourth in the Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh in May, with connections then opting to skip the summer and wait for easier autumn ground. On ratings, Delacroix is the one to beat. One of four three-year-olds in the line-up, he is already a dual course and distance winner and will bid to provide Aidan O'Brien with a 13th success in this prestigious contest. Not getting the run of the race when third in last year's renewal, Japanese raider Shin Emperor warrants the utmost respect, while the highly-regarded Zahrann and Anmaat, who won last season's UK equivalent, are other leading hopes. Finally getting his favoured ground, Hotazhell is another who can't be discounted, with this Jessica Harrington-trained bay memorably overturning Delacroix in the Futurity Trophy at Doncaster last year.
Prediction : 1st White Birch 2nd Delacroix 3rd Shin Emperor

HELVIC DREAM would be a most deserving winner. A versatile performer, the Noel Meade-trained eight-year-old was controversially demoted to second after claiming the Galway Hurdle last month. Over four years on from his Group 1 success, the likeable bay still retains plenty of ability and it'll be disappointing if he's not involved towards the business end. Off a mark of 91, handicap debutant Light As Air is sure to have plenty of supporters in first time blinkers, while the fellow Aidan O'Brien-trained London City is another that warrants the utmost respect. It'll be interesting to see if the fitting of cheekpieces have the desired effect on Lord Church, while Too Bossy For Us appears the pick of the Willie Mullins representatives. Winning two of the last four renewals, Jessica Harrington relies on Sea The Boss and she can't be discounted, while others for the shortlist are Happy Pharoah and Aeronautic.
Prediction : 1st Helvic Dream 2nd Light As Air 3rd Lord Church

It might be worth taking a chance on PLUME NOIRE in this wide open contest. An eye-catching fifth on her debut for Gerry Keane at the Curragh in May, she's a battle-hardened individual, who appreciates a cut in the ground. Out of the brilliant Alpha Centauri, Proxima Centauri is the second choice. She made the breakthrough at Roscommon last month and could prove nicely treated off an initial mark of 86. One of five Ger Lyons-trained representatives in the line-up, Continuite is sure to have plenty of supporters with Nicola Burns claiming a valuable 7lb, while Johnny Murtagh's Onemoredance and the hat-trick seeking Noli Timere are other leading hopes. One of three for Joseph O'Brien, French import Um Wadi is another for the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Plume Noire 2nd Proxima Centauri 3rd Noli Timere