UK Horse Racing Tips: Leopardstown

CARRIED WITH LOVE has a nice turn around at the weights here with the progressive Cousin Kate. She chased her home at Limerick over Christmas and Denis Hogan's charge went on to follow up in fine style at Cork last month. Cousin Kate has gone up 18lb as a result while Carried With Love runs off a 2lb higher mark than last time. True Testimony ran well in a competitive event here over Christmas and, off just 1lb higher, she could play a big part in against her own sex now. May Call You Back has been in fine form but may be on a high-enough mark in deeper waters.
Prediction : 1st Carried With Love 2nd Cousin Kate 3rd True Testimony

FINAL DEMAND is going to be a short price here and looks hard to oppose. The Walk In The Park gelding met with his only defeat when a fine third to The New Lion at Cheltenham last March and has been very impressive in his two outings over fences, including in Grade 1 company at Limerick last time. The experienced Western Fold could be the one to give him most to do. The Galway Plate winner was a solid third to Envoi Allen when last seen at Down Royal in November and is rated only 1lb below the selection. Kaid D'authie won well at Fairyhouse last time and should reach the frame.
Prediction : 1st Final Demand 2nd Western Fold 3rd Kaid Dauthie

TALK THE TALK can grab some Grade 1 compensation here. The Born To Sea gelding looked set to collect at the top level here over Christmas before crashing out at the final flight. That form received a boost recently with the fifth horse, The Passing Wife, winning very impressively at Punchestown. Ballyfad was a bit of a revelation on his hurdling debut at Christmas and the runner-up Leader D'allier has also won in style recently. He looks like an obvious danger. Following the same theme, King Rasko Grey had his form boosted when Shuttle Diplomacy won at Naas last weekend and he also has to be on the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Talk The Talk 2nd Ballyfad 3rd King Rasko Grey

The ground could be a deciding factor here and MAJBOROUGH should have no problems with testing conditions. He remains a work in progress over fences but jumped reasonably well here over Christmas. He didn't settle very well, though, and will need to switch off a bit better in the conditions. Marine Nationale ran a remarkable race in the aforementioned after almost losing Sean Flanagan at the second fence. The going would be a concern for him though. Solness is a tough nut and is sure to make it a test again. He has won on soft in the past but most of his best form is on a better surface.
Prediction : 1st Majborough 2nd Marine Nationale 3rd Solness

WATERFORD WHISPERS has always threatened to land a prize of this nature and remains unexposed over fences. Runner-up in the 2024 Martin Pipe at the Cheltenham Festival, Henry De Bromhead's gelding ran no sort of race at Punchestown in November but is entitled to bounce back from that effort. Ile Atlantique finished second to Heart Wood at Tramore on New Year's Day and commands plenty of respect. Kinturk Kananisi is closely enough matched on Paddy Power Chase form with O'moore Park and Buachaillbocht, while Ballybawn Belter is 7lb higher than when scoring at Limerick.
Prediction : 1st Waterford Whispers 2nd Ile Atlantique 3rd Kinturk Kalanisi

Lossiemouth and Brighterdaysahead lock horns once again after their encounter in the December Hurdle where Willie Mullins' mare came out on top. That said, the latter had missed some intended targets, when expected to be sent over fences earlier in the campaign, and it wouldn't be a huge surprise if she were able to reverse those placings. A chance, though, is taken with EL FABIOLO. Twice a winner at this meeting over fences, his jumping had fallen apart in that sphere, with three falls from his last four chase starts, but the nine-year-old returned with a confidence-boosting display at Punchestown on New Year's Eve and appears to still retain all of his ability judged on that display.
Prediction : 1st El Fabiolo 2nd Brighterdaysahead 3rd Lossiemouth

Charles Byrnes bids for a fifth victory in this contest and has an excellent chance with the unexposed I STARTED A JOKE. The selection's overall bumper form reads well and having scored nicely at Punchestown in January, he appears to be better than his mark of 126. Former Cheltenham Bumper winner A Dream To Share also retains an attractive hurdling mark and while it is notable that Mark Walsh rides at his lowest weight 10st 2lb, he is unproven on really testing ground. Murcia is a smart performer and completes the shortlist along with Bowensonfire and Hello Neighbour.
Prediction : 1st I Started A Joke 2nd A Dream To Share 3rd Murcia

BROSNA SHINE won well on testing ground in December. By the same sire of Allaho and Epatante, the selection is out of a seven-time winning mare and having shown promise on debut behind the reopposing Wonderful Everyday last April, she returned with a smart winning effort at Fairyhouse. Celestial Tune scored on testing ground at Cheltenham in November. She is dependable and should feature at the business end. Wonderful Everyday disappointed at Huntingdon in December and comes here with a point to prove.
Prediction : 1st Brosna Shine 2nd Celestial Tune 3rd Wonderful Everyday