UK Horse Racing Tips: Leopardstown

Having run very green when a staying-on third on last month's debut at the Curragh, SHAKESPEARE should be good enough to get off the mark. Outpaced over a furlong out, the penny really dropped with the Aidan O'Brien-trained colt late on and he kept on nicely for minor honours. Stepping up an additional furlong now looks very much in his favour and the son of Dubawi should be hard to beat. Green Dreamer only beat one home on his introduction at Killarney but time may prove that to be a strong contest. Given how much the stable runners tend to improve from their first start, he has to be of interest. Highest Order also deserves serious consideration on debut.
Prediction : 1st Shakespeare 2nd Green Dreamer 3rd Highest Order

Paddy Twomey has struck with a couple of juvenile debutants this season and his newcomer CHURCHILL BOND may be another. If all goes well, the daughter of Pinatubo has the Lowther at York and Moyglare at the Curragh as possible future targets. Those lofty entries suggest this filly is highly regarded and any market support ahead of her introduction should be noted. Placed on her last three starts, the Jim Bolger-trained Sea Of Rain has acquired plenty of racing experience and currently sets the standard. Citrus Springs was well beaten on her debut at Listowel but her stable runners generally tend to come on from their first run. She is the pick of the rest.
Prediction : 1st Churchill Bond 2nd Sea Of Rain 3rd Citrus Springs

ALPHA can boost her ante-post appeal for next year's 1000 Guineas. Having filled the runner-up berth on her debut over this course and distance, the Aidan O'Brien-trained filly built on the promise with a stylish success at the Curragh last month. Blonde Over Blue, who beat the selection in that aforementioned C&D event, rates the main danger. That was her racecourse bow and the Joseph O'Brien-trained daughter of Lope De Vega is entitled to have progressed. Airlie Stud Stakes runner-up Green Empress should be suited to stepping up to 7f and is another serious contender with Dylan Browne McMonagle in the saddle.
Prediction : 1st Alpha 2nd Blonde Over Blue 3rd Green Empress

A winner on his debut at the Curragh last month, AIX LA CHAPELLE can maintain his unbeaten record. The Aidan O'Brien-trained son of Justify was his stable second string on that occasion but quickened up smartly to beat a solid yardstick. His better-fancied stablemate, who finished third on that occasion, advertised the form when easily landing his maiden over the same course and distance next time. Folsom Blues came on from a promising debut third to win his maiden by just over seven lengths last time. A son of Blue Point, he is open to further improvement on just his third start. A beaten favourite last time, Florida Bay sets a fair standard on his previous two efforts.
Prediction : 1st Aix La Chapelle 2nd Folsom Blues 3rd Florida Bay

A lightly-raced son of Ulysses, MANTON BAY can register a second career win. Off the mark at Dundalk in November, the David Marnane-trained colt ran a huge race on handicap debut when third in a strong contest at Naas on his next start. That form was well advertised subsequently, with the winner, second and fourth all going on to score. Runner-up at Navan on his next appearance, plenty of winners also emerged from that race and following a mid-division finish at the Curragh last time, he is worth another chance. Ulster Oaks runner-up Apercu looks the danger as this represents a drop in class for Andy Oliver's mare. Kilcrea Rock needs to improve but could be capable of doing so.
Prediction : 1st Manton Bay 2nd Apercu 3rd Kilcrea Rock

After shedding his maiden tag at Limerick, the Johnny Murtagh-trained LORD AUS gets the vote. A staying-on third at Down Royal on his previous start, the son of Australia improved for the step up in trip when scoring readily at the Munster track. Nicely treated by conditions and with the potential for further improvement now he is asked to race over an additional furlong, it would be no surprise to see him double up. Dundalk maiden winner Handshake is respected, given the form was boosted when the runner-up won at Roscommon three weeks ago. Curragh winner Wyman needed every yard of 1m2f on that occasion so should benefit from going further here.
Prediction : 1st Lord Aus 2nd Handshake 3rd Wyman

A course specialist whose only two previous career wins have come here, TATUM can gain her first victory of the campaign. Beaten a length when third here last week, the Noel Meade-trained mare shaped as though nearing her peak once more. With Paddy Harnett claiming a valuable 5lb off her back, the daughter of Postponed holds every chance. Dual bumper winner Friary Road is lightly raced on the Flat and open to improvement. Third over C&D last time, the Ted Walsh-trained gelding shouldn't be far away. Trubshaw has yet to recapture last year's best form in two starts this term but has dropped 4lb as a result.
Prediction : 1st Tatum 2nd Friary Road 3rd Trubshaw