Andrew’s Leopardstown Race by race betting guide

We are back at Leopardstown for the first time since the Dublin Racing Festival, and even though we don’t have the standard of runners from the two days of top-class action that was the DRF, we still have a jam-packed eight-race card to get through.

Get all the best Leopardstown odds and promotions with the best online horse racing bookmakers here.

Leopardstown 1:20 Connolly’s RED MILLS Irish EBF Auction Novice Hurdle – 2m (4yo+)

One And Only has found one too good in his last two runs since his breakthrough win at Cork in December. He will run his race once again, as well as first-time winner, Great Attitude.

But the Gordon Elliott trained HONESTY POLICY made it second time lucky on the back of finishing 2nd to Joystick at Naas when bolting up in a Navan maiden at the beginning of last month.

The manner of that win suggests that there is plenty more to come from this son of Jukebox Jury, and he can find the required improvement to make it back-to-back wins today.

Champagne Jury was a good winner on his racecourse debut and can be the one to follow home Honesty Policy.

• Selection: Honesty Policy
• Danger: Champagne Jury

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Leopardstown 1:50 Adare Manor Opportunity Maiden Hurdle – 2m (5yo+)

There is not much to go on here, with the ones with hurdling experience not setting much of a high standard to reach.

But, if HARBOUR HIGHWAY can replicate his 9th place finish to Ballygunner Castle, where he was sent off the 11/4 favourite, he would be of interest here. He gets a tentative vote in a weak-looking maiden.

Another who may be worth a bit of each-way money is Polemon. He was last seen finishing 6th to Supreme Novice Hurdle hopeful Workahead in a maiden that could not be working out any better.

• Selection: Harbour Highway
• Danger: Polemon

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Leopardstown 2:25 QuinnBet Hurdle – 2m2½f (5yo+)

Meet And Greet was heavily supported throughout the day when sent off 3/1 second-favourite for the Grade 2 Boyne Hurdle at Navan last month, but never got into the race and eventually finished a well-beaten 5th.

He locks horns with THEDEVILSCOACHMAN once again, who finished 2nd in the Boyne Hurdle that day, where it looked coming to the last that he was going to pick up the eventual winner Maxxum and go away and win. But he got tired inside the final 100 yards and had to settle for the runner-up spot.

Based on his last run, Thedevilscoachman stepping back in trip looks like the right move, and if it has the desired effect, it should make him hard to beat.

• Selection: Thedevilscoachman
• Danger: Meet And Greet

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Leopardstown 2:57 Cancer Fund For Children Charity Handicap Hurdle – 2m (Div I) (4yo+)

Division one is one of two tough handicap hurdles, and many runners come here in search of some form.

But the one who has shown a lot of improvement in his last three runs has been DOWN AROUND. He seems to have been transformed since returning from a 74-day break. He finished 2nd to Portarlington, who went on to complete his hat trick since. He then got the better of Klassman at Thurles before running a massive race at the Dublin Racing Festival to finish a four-length 4th in an 80-116 handicap hurdle.

The second on the day Cave Court has since gone on to go one better, giving substance to the form. If kicking on once again, Down Around can make it two wins in his last three runs.

Oakley is much better than he has shown in the past, and if he turns up on one of his good days, he can be one fighting it out for a place.

• Selection: Down Around
• Danger: Oakley

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Leopardstown 3:30 Cancer Fund For Children Charity Handicap Hurdle – 2m (Div II) (4yo+)

The quality doesn’t get any better in division two, but if you are willing to forgive CRESCENT MOON his run at Gorwan Park last time out, then he rates as one of the more interesting runners.

He was heavily backed into favourite on the day, but his race was run before they reached the second last. They obviously expected much more on the day, given the amount of money that came for him, and it may be worth giving him one more chance here for a yard that has been in flying form all season.

Kilda Kelle makes her handicap debut on a fair-looking mark. She has shown glimpses of ability in her three runs, suggesting she can put in a much improved performance here.

• Selection: Crescent Moon
• Danger: Kilda Kelle

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Leopardstown 4:02 Listed QuinnBet Handicap Chase – 2m5½f (5yo+)

Meetingofthewaters was all the rage back over hurdles at the Dublin Racing Festival when running off a 31 lb lower mark than his chase rating, but he could only manage a well-beaten 23 lengths. Even with him being a much better chaser than hurdler, you would be brave enough to roll in with him again.

Given his raw ability, the top weight James Du Berlais has to be one of the most frustrating horses in training. For one reason or another, he does not like to put it all in when push comes to shove.

That leads me to my selection, who comes here on the back of a good 3rd to handicap blot Backtonormal, at the Dublin Racing Festival, MONBEG PARK.

You only have to look back through his form to see the talent that Monbeg Park processes, but he isn’t without his quirks. When asked for his full effort, he tends to flash his tail and look like he isn’t giving it his all in the finish, but he does run strong to the line.

He was harshly hit with a 3lb rise for that third-place finish, but if he can back up that run, there is every reason to believe that Monbeg Park can get back to winning ways here.

Broomfield Bijou ran well behind Nara in a Grade 2 Mares Novice Chase and can play for a place lurking on a nice racing weight.

• Selection: Monbeg Park
• Danger: Broomfield Bijou

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Leopardstown 4:37 Dublin National Handicap Chase – 3m4½f (5yo+)

It’s a tough staying handicap chase to pick apart here, but a chance taken with BRANDT. He was last seen finishing 2nd to One Horse Army, who he meets again today. But Brandt gets a big swing in the weights here, which may be enough to reverse that form.

He was slightly hampered in the run-in but did well to keep going and hit the line well. The step up in trip will suit him, and it would be a surprise if he went close here.

Brucejack is another runner with a live chance here, and he will also relish the step back up in tip.

• Selection: Brandt
• Danger: Brucejack

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Leopardstown 5:12 QuinnBet (Pro/Am) INH Flat Race – 2m (4yo)

We close that card with a bumper where we might be about to witness another taking performance from the hugely exciting CARRIGMOORNA BEECH.

She made a lasting impression when winning on debut on Thyestes Day at Gowan Park in January, and that bumper has a history of producing good winners. She was well backed close to the off and duly obliged by 12 widening lengths.

Eternal Echo, who also won on debut beating the daughter of Grade 1 winning mare Apple Jade, won’t make it easy for Carrigmoorna Beech, but she will have to pull something out of the fire to get the better of this exciting Declan Queally trained mare.

• Selection: Carrigmoorna Beech
• Danger: Eternal Echo

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