UK Horse Racing Tips: Leopardstown

MANOIR DE MIRANDE won a 1m4f French bumper in decisive fashion back in April and looked set to score on his debut for current connections when falling at the last at Cork. Ole Ole was beaten a length by Glen To Glen in that race, with Kizlyar, Far Eclipse and Ray Gun all behind, and Gordon Elliott's charge can make amends. Dschingis Desire represents the same owners and was also sourced from France after winning a 1m4f maiden back in the spring. Munsif won three times on the level this year for Roger Varian and is an interesting recruit to hurdles, while Deep Water Bay, Genealogy and Kashel Spring are others switching from the Flat to keep a close eye on.
Prediction : 1st Manoir De Mirande 2nd Dschingis Desire 3rd Munsif

KARGESE was a dual Grade 1 winner over hurdles as a juvenile and landed the County Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March. The Willie Mullins-trained mare was set a stiff task on her chasing debut when runner-up to Kala Conti in a Grade 2 at Cork earlier this month and should benefit from the experience. Lovely Hurling filled the runner-up spot behind the impressive Final Demand in a 2m4f Grade 1 novice hurdle at the Punchestown Festival and was unlucky to come up against Kopek Des Bordes on his chasing debut at Navan last month. James's Gate has obviously not been the easiest to train but retains plenty of ability.
Prediction : 1st Kargese 2nd Lovely Hurling 3rd Jamess Gate

MAJBOROUGH is certainly not the finished article over fences, but hopefully he can put in an improved round of jumping and take advantage of a fitness edge over Marine Nationale. The five-year-old blundered away a winning opportunity when a close third behind Jango Baie and Only By Night in the Arkle at Cheltenham and after easily beating Only By Night at the Punchestown Festival, again showed jumping frailties when runner-up to Found A Fifty on his reappearance in the Hilly Way at Cork. Marine Nationale, third behind Solness in this race last year, steadily improved last season before landing the Champion Chase at both Cheltenham and Punchestown. It will be interesting to see how strong Solness is in the market on his seasonal debut.
Prediction : 1st Majborough 2nd Marine Nationale 3rd Solness

The bare form of the Thurles maiden hurdle won by LE DIVIN ENFANT last month is nothing to get excited about, but he oozed class in recording a facile victory and gets the vote to show he's up to competing at the highest level in novice hurdle company this season. Willie Mullins holds a strong hand as he's also represented by Love Me Tender, who easily made all on both hurdle starts, including in a Grade 3 at Tipperary, while Skylight Hustle took a big leap forward from his hurdling debut when a wide-margin winner of a Fairyhouse maiden. Riding arrangements suggest he's preferred to Royal Bond victor Koktail Brut.
Prediction : 1st Le Divin Enfant 2nd Love Me Tender 3rd Skylight Hustle

BOWENSONFIRE has won three times over hurdles this year, including a valuable handicap at Bellewstown in July, and has held his form well since. He came home strongly into second behind Zillow at Fairyhouse last time and can go one better. Sainte Lucie looked a smart prospect when easily landing a Punchestown maiden on her Irish debut but didn't really progress subsequently, albeit in the top juvenile races. Balko D'ange won a similar event at Navan last month, while others to consider include top-weight Path D'oroux and Tipperary maiden winner Ace Brannigan.
Prediction : 1st Bowensonfire 2nd Sainte Lucie 3rd Balko Dange

BALLYSAX HANK impressed when switched to handicap company over fences, landing the valuable Summer Plate at Market Rasen. The Gavin Cromwell-trained gelding was patiently ridden and drew clear in the closing stages over an extended 2m5f to give hope that he can stay this trip. He subsequently won on the Flat at Gowran and was then just denied in the American Grand National. Midnight Our Fred beat all bar Perceval Legallois in this race last year and made a pleasing return over hurdles at Cork last month, while Scottish Grand National winner Captain Cody was a creditable third to Romeo Coolio when reappearing over an inadequate 2m4f in the Drinmore at Fairyhouse. Weveallbeencaught, Backmersackme, Will The Wise and Mossy Fen Park are others for the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Ballysax Hank 2nd Midnight Our Fred 3rd Will The Wise

Willie Mullins has won this bumper six times in the past decade, including with Fact To File and Appreciate It, and ARCADIAN EMPEROR could add to his tally. The son of Kamsin made a favourable impression when beating Lisbane Park (won since over hurdles) in a Lisronagh point-to-point for Sam Curling and he gets the vote over Generous Risk, who also won between the flags and has been placed on both bumper starts. Derek O'Connor is a notable booking on Beechwood Road, while Barnahash Mason made some late progress on his debut over hurdles at Thurles.
Prediction : 1st Arcadian Emperor 2nd Generous Risk 3rd Beechwood Road