Leopardstown Racecourse presents its latest Flat card on this evening Thursday, complete with seven races, featuring two Group Three contests; the Desmond Stakes and the Ballyroan Stakes. Read on for a full preview of and tips for the Leopardstown card, courtesy of BoyleSports, who provide all the latest horse racing odds.
We begin with a two-year-old colts and geldings’ maiden run over a mile (5.20). There are some important connections represented here, with two Coolmore and two Aga Khan runners; Claret and Montreal for the former, Kalie and Tiyadal for the latter. Res Ipsa debuts for Juddmonte too. Montreal appears to be the Coolmore first string based on jockey bookings and future entries, but Claret has such an impressive pedigree – half brother to Emily Dickinson – that he might in fact be the better of the two, and has five pounds from his rider.
A maiden over a mile and a furlong is next (5.53). Drumaugh Boy is the only newcomer here, and doesn’t make much appeal on paper, so it should be best to look for the best quality previous form on offer. Dermot Weld’s Wild Sapphire was good last time out, placing second of 12, and has first-time cheekpieces applied today to help him get his head in front. Joseph O’Brien’s Cadogan should be very interesting, having only just been beaten by subsequent dual Group One winner Henri Matisse on debut. He hasn’t been seen since October last year, and has also been gelded, but he should still retain his talent and could be the winner.
Race three is the first of our Group Three races; the mile Desmond Stakes (6.23). Chicago Critic is our top rated here, and was seen winning over course and distance two starts ago in the Listed Amethyst Stakes. Lord Massusus, though, finished ahead of him on his last start in the Minstel Stakes, alongside Mutasarref. Both are course and distance winners who might have an edge on this occasion. With the bang in-form Colin Keane on board, Mutasarref is the choice.
The second of our Group Three contests follows; the Ballyroan Stakes, run over a mile and half (6.53). Gerard Keane’s Crystal Black tops the ratings, having been extremely productive last season, winning every start, and making a reasonable return to action at the Curragh in April for fourth of seven. He should come on for that run now, but Sons And Lovers has more race fitness from this year, having been last seen in June running well at Royal Ascot and, the younger of the two, is more open to improvement.
Next is a seven-furlong handicap (7.23). John McConnell’s Miqdaad should have a good chance here, having been only narrowly beaten last time out at Limerick, but he is a sort who finds it difficult to win, having only won once from 21 starts. Tynamite may pick up a place again on the ground he goes best on, while Liamo looks to have a very strong chance in these conditions, having won two starts ago and followed up with a place last time under the same claiming rider as today.
Our penultimate race is a handicap run over a mile and a furlong (7.53). Donal Kinsella’s Zabeir looks capable of a big run, having improved between both runs so far this term, but remains on the same mark again, so could take another step forward today. Rampage also is not without a chance, having shown up consistently well over his last three starts and he ought to be able to pick up a place in this company.
Finally, the evening’s racing concludes with a QR handicap over a mile and seven furlongs (8.25). Ross O’Sullivan’s Lady Kai arrives in good form and starts on the same mark as her last start, which saw her finish third of eight at Down Royal, while we could also expect a good run from Friary Road, who is given seven pounds by his rider.
Leopardstown selections – Thursday:
5.20 – Claret
5.53 – Cadogan
6.23 – Mutasarref
6.53 – Sons And Lovers
7.23 – Liamo
7.53 – Zabeir
8.25 – Lady Kai
