UK Horse Racing Tips: Leopardstown

DOCTOR STEINBERG won a Ballinrobe bumper in good style last May and is unbeaten in both starts over the smaller obstacles. The son of Doctor Dino beat Frankie John at Galway and handled testing ground well when keeping on strongly to land a 2m4f Grade 2 at Navan next time. That form was given a timely boost by Thedeviluno last weekend and he could prove hard to beat. Gordon Elliott is four-handed with Santo Sospir bidding for a hat-trick following a decisive win on heavy ground at Clonmel, while Jack Kennedy's mount Kazansky has proven stamina after landing a Grade 2 at Limerick.
Prediction : 1st Doctor Steinberg 2nd Kazansky 3rd Santo Sospir

The unbeaten MANGE TOUT has already had the number of Narciso Has having beaten that rival by nearly three lengths in a Grade 3 at Fairyhouse and she is taken to confirm that form, despite being 4lb worse off. The selection did have the benefit of a previous outing this term and Narciso Has certainly progressed when landing a Grade 2 over C&D at the Christmas meeting, with North Shore and Barbizon soundly beaten in third and fourth respectively. Willie Mullins' challenge is further bolstered by Selma De Vary and Bertutea, who both won in clear-cut fashion on heavy ground last time. Immediate Effect was rated in the high 80s on the Flat and made a winning start over hurdles at Punchestown.
Prediction : 1st Mange Tout 2nd Narciso Has 3rd Selma De Vary

COUNTY FINAL has progressed rapidly since making his debut last May and will be suited by this test of stamina. The Eric McNamara-trained gelding opened his account in runaway fashion at Navan in September and after finishing second to subsequent winner Kotkito Bello over an inadequate 2m1f at Punchestown, again filled the runner-up spot behind Kazansky in a 2m7f Grade 2 at Limerick. Champagne Kid is bidding for a hat-trick after scoring over an extended 2m4f here at Christmas, while Duke Silver had several of these rivals behind when successful over a similar trip at this venue. Dippedinmoonlight and Son Of Anarchy are others to consider.
Prediction : 1st County Final 2nd Champagne Kid 3rd Dippedinmoonlight

This appears to be a bit of a penalty kick now for ROMEO COOLIO after the defection of Kopek Des Bordes. Gordon Elliott's charge is three from three over fences and has already struck twice at the top level. He needed every yard of this trip to overhaul Irish Panther here at Christmas and more testing conditions should bring his stamina into play. Dual Grade 1-winning hurdler Kargese is the obvious danger. She was well held on her chase debut in Cork but opened her account in fine style here at Christmas. Downmexicoway is a nice horse in his own right but needs to improve to trouble the front pair.
Prediction : 1st Romeo Coolio 2nd Kargese 3rd Downmexicoway

GALOPIN DES CHAMPS ran a fine race in defeat here at Christmas and can land a remarkable fourth success in this race. The 10-year-old led two from home in the Savills Chase but couldn't sustain his effort, getting headed before the final fence. He has displayed a stunning finishing kick in the closing stages here in the past and he can give another masterclass at this venue. Affordale Fury really blossomed in the aforementioned contest and may well have to more to offer. Spindleberry is unbeaten over fences and it will be fascinating to see how she measures up, while Gold Cup winner Inothewayurthinkin will be expected to perform better after a couple of below-par efforts.
Prediction : 1st Galopin Des Champs 2nd Affordale Fury 3rd Inothewayurthinkin

JACOB'S LADDER has been running in some strong novice contests this season and looks capable of landing a big pot here off this mark of 143. The Mount Nelson gelding chased home a smart sort in Kappa Jy Pyke at Punchestown last time, having won his beginners chase in good style at Fairyhouse over 2m previously. He looks like a better chaser than he was a hurdler. Western Diego bounced back to winning ways in another valuable prize at Fairyhouse and is likely to enter calculations, despite an 8lb rise. Addragoole was a cosy winner here at Christmas but more testing conditions would be a slight concern.
Prediction : 1st Jacobs Ladder 2nd Western Diego 3rd Addragoole

Harry Swan takes the ride on CHARISMATIC KID and he may prove the pick of the Gordon Elliott-trained quartet. The Affinisea gelding made a big impression when scoring for Colm Ryan on his debut at Navan in December and was subsequently snapped up by Gigginstown for 300,000 pounds. Elliott had the fourth horse that day, With Nolimit, who has won since and reopposes. The Martin Brassil-trained It's Only A Game commands the utmost respect. He was second at the Punchestown Festival on debut last May before running out a cosy winner at the same course on his return in November. Generous Risk has run some nice races without winning a bumper and could reach the frame again.
Prediction : 1st Charismatic Kid 2nd Its Only A Game 3rd Generous Risk