APRIL 14: LEOPARDSTOWN TIPS

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IRISH RACE IN FOCUS: LEOPARDSTOWN 3.40

BUNAIGEAD has improved with each of her three starts as a 2-y-o, off the mark at the third attempt in C&D maiden in November. Might have more to come this year but has a bit to find if she is to land this.

Greek Goddess bettered her debut effort when taking a heavy-ground Killarney maiden in August. Came up short twice in this company afterwards and stable look to have stronger claims with Snow Queen.

Harmonic Note showed plenty of promise on debut and steady improvement in nurseries in the autumn, off the mark at Dundalk in November. Fair third on reappearance and blinkers now refitted.

Hint of A Tint is from a good family and created good impression when landing maiden at The Curragh in July. That form solid enough and open to plenty of improvement this time round. Respected.

Liberating knew what was required when making a winning debut in 5f Cork maiden this time last year. Series of consistent efforts afterwards but improvement needed if she is to take this.

Pop Art is an expensive purchase who made winning debut at Naas in October. That form has worked out well enough but it’s still a far cry from what will be needed in this company.

Rawaaq’s win on debut is looking like strong form and she was back on track when creditable second of 7 in Group 3 in September. Capable of making an impact in this sort of company and one to consider.

Snow Queen got off the mark in first-time cheekpieces in 7f minor event at the Curragh in August, and improved to land Naas nursery in October. That form gives her an obvious chance now back up in grade.

What Style has plenty of stamina on the distaff side of her pedigree so encouraging that she had the speed to get the better of Snow Queen over C&D on debut in August. Open to stacks of improvement

1. What Style
2. Hint of A Tint
3. Snow Queen

Verdict: What Style got the better of Snow Queen on her debut and although her opponent improved afterwards, it’s hard to believe she won’t progress herself. She can take this step up in class in her stride and prove too strong for another unbeaten filly in Hint Of A Tint.

LEOPARDSTOWN SUNDAY PREVIEW

The Flat action in Ireland goes up a notch at Leopardstown this weekend with Sunday’s card featuring two Group 3s and a couple of listed events, perhaps the most interesting of which is the Ballysax Stakes over one and a quarter miles.

Paddy Prendergast’s Sugar Boy heads the Timeform ratings and he promises to relish the extra furlong on his reappearance. He improved with experience during his two-year-old campaign, running to a smart level when readily completing a hat-trick in a listed race at this track in November, pulling over six lengths clear of Coolibah.

Sugar Boy quickly showed himself to be a straightforward and likeable type last year and could be a spot of value against the likely favourite Battle of Marengo if fully wound up for this.

Battle of Marengo sits a couple of pounds behind Sugar Boy on the adjusted ratings, but does have the Timeform ‘p’ for improvement, and his overall profile isn’t too dissimilar to that of hisd rival's.

The son of Galileo met with his only defeat in a maiden here on debut but progressed into a smart performer after and rounded off a successful campaign when landing the odds in the Beresford Stakes at the Curragh. The penalty he received for that win could well prove to be the difference between him and Sugar Boy this time and it’s hard to envisage the winner not coming from that pair.

The Leopardstown 2000 Guineas Trial Stakes marks the return of the exciting The United States and it will be a blow to his classic aspirations if he isn’t up to making a winning return in this listed event. Bred in the purple – by Galileo and out of the 114-rated mare Beauty Is Truth – The United States’ maiden win at the Curragh couldn’t have worked out much better, with four of the five immediately behind him going on to win next time out and he’s open to significant improvement after just the one outing.

The fillies’ version of the race should be just as informative and it will come as no surprise Aidan O’ Brien appears to have another strong player in this in the form of Snow Queen. Kept relatively busy at two years, she beat subsequent winner Ballyorban in a nursery at Naas when last seen and the return to seven furlongs shouldn’t be any inconvenience.

Her biggest threat could well come from the John Oxx-trained What Style, who actually got the better of her when landing a C&D maiden on her sole start last term. While she created a good impression that day and is sure to progress in time, the Oxx yard are yet to have a winner this year, and Snow Queen could well reverse form on Sunday with the benefit of a recent gallop at the Curragh under her belt.

Milesey (Betfair)

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