UK Horse Racing Tips: Leopardstown

This doesn't look like a particularly strong contest for the venue and KHAFAR may be able to make a winning start for Paddy Twomey. The Dubawi filly made a promising debut when runner-up for Charlie Hills at Newbury last August but didn't progress on two subsequent outings on the all-weather. This looks like a nice opportunity for her. Goomah hinted at ability in a couple of runs last season and could be a danger. The Sioux Nation filly was mid-division on debut and met some traffic when sixth at Dundalk in September. Money for the Fozzy Stack-trained Valentino Eclipse on debut would be noteworthy.
Prediction : 1st Khafar 2nd Goomah 3rd Valentino Eclipse

CANNES may be able to make it third-time lucky. The Sea The Stars colt has been runner-up on both outings to date, including when chasing home Asakir on his return over 1m2f here last month. He kept on well close home and stepping up in trip should suit. He can confirm form with Antigua, who was fourth behind him last time and now sports cheekpieces for the first time. A bigger danger may be the Dermot Weld-trained Almazann. The Zarak colt ran a big race on his debut at Cork 16 days ago when losing out by a head to the more experienced Enceladus. He also steps up in trip now and is entitled to improve a bit from his first outing.
Prediction : 1st Cannes 2nd Almazann 3rd Antigua

CITY OF MEMPHIS was impressive on her comeback at Gowran Park and can make a deeper mark now in stakes company. The lightly-raced Sioux Nation filly was a fine fifth in the Irish 1,000 Guineas on just her second outing last May. Having returned with that cosy success 18 days ago, this looks like an appropriate stepping stone. Carla Ridge achieved a mark of 110 after a wide-margin success in testing conditions at the Curragh over 6f. She sets the standard and it will be interesting to see how she fares. Princess Child ran well when runner-up last time at this level and is another for the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st City Of Memphis 2nd Carla Ridge 3rd Princess Child

ALCANTOR can make a winning start for Joseph O'Brien. Having won three Group 3s and been placed twice at the top level in France, the New Bay entire sets the standard in this Listed contest. Connections can hope a change of scenery will do him good this term. English raider Excellent Believe already has a solid run under his belt this season, having finished third in the Doncaster Mile Stakes in late March. He could be a big player. Dual course and distance winner Mutasarref has a rating of 109 but needs to improve on last month's seasonal return.
Prediction : 1st Alcantor 2nd Excellent Believe 3rd Mutasarref

PIERRE BONNARD can bounce back after an underwhelming effort on his return in the Ballysax over C&D last month. The Camelot colt started this season as the main Derby hope for Ballydoyle but failed to fire first time up, with his rider reporting he had given a couple of blows and can leave the run behind. Aidan O'Brien was far from despondent after that performance and much better can be expected. His stablemate Endorsement, who ran a cracker to fill the runner-up berth, and James J Braddock, who was fifth, reoopose from the Ballysax and are others to consider.
Prediction : 1st Pierre Bonnard 2nd Endorsement 3rd James J Braddock

Fifth over a mile here on debut, BEATIFIC can benefit from a step up in trip. The Donnacha O'Brien-trained filly shaped with plenty of promise when racing up with the pace throughout that day and, with the runner-up franking the form in no uncertain terms with a Group 3 win next time, she looks the one to side with. The stable couldn't be in better form in recent weeks and hold every chance of adding further gains here. Believed is also entitled to come on from an encouraging introduction at Dundalk. Fourth on that occasion, both the second and third have won subsequently. Newcomer My First Rose has to be respected for Dermot Weld.
Prediction : 1st Beatific 2nd Believed 3rd My First Rose

Third over course and distance last month, DIAMOND EXCHANGE could go a couple of places better. Having her first handicap appearance on that occasion, the Jessica Harrington-trained filly made much of the running before weakening late on. Keithen Kennedy, who was on board when the daughter of Wootton Bassett won her maiden at Dundalk in January, is back in the saddle and his 5lb claim could prove crucial in such a tight-knit contest. Candleford Green might prove well treated on her first start outside of maiden company. Willie Mullins' filly registered got off the mark on her final start of the campaign last October. Three-time scorer Glyndwr is an interesting contender on his debut for Gerard O'Leary.
Prediction : 1st Diamond Exchange 2nd Candleford Green 3rd Glyndwr

With the step up to this trip looking exactly what she needs, DREOILIN can register a first career win. A staying-on second over 1m2f at Navan on her penultimate start, the Jim Bolger-trained filly was sent off favourite back at a mile at the Curragh last time. She again found one too good but this looks a good opportunity for her to go one better. Eniac gave the impression that he needed further when keeping on for third over a mile at this venue in October and the son of Siyouni is one to keep a close eye on. Servare failed to supplement his Navan success when only fifth at Cork, but first-time cheekpieces could see him in a better light now.
Prediction : 1st Dreoilin 2nd Eniac 3rd Servare