Leopardstown Betting: Wednesday's racing previewed

/ Wayne Bailey / 02 July 2008 / Leave a Comment

Wayne Bailey marks your card as racing resumes at the South Dublin venue...

I genuinely feel sorry for the organisers of Leopardstown's Miller Race Evenings. Despite having numerous Listed and Group races on offer, attendance is never what it should be mainly due to the weather. You could almost set your clock by it - as soon as racing starts the heavens open! The forecast is not great again this week either, but if things go my way, I could well be singing in that rain!

6:00 - Woodleigh Apprentice Handicap

A tricky looking handicap, but Joanna Morgan's Show Blessed has been knocking on the door for some time now and can clock up his first Flat win in nearly a year, despite getting a hike in the ratings after a respectable second last time out at Naas. Top-weight Glenmuir looks the big danger, but I think the burden will have him fighting it out for place money instead.

6:30 - Monaloe Handicap

I'd make an educated guess that Sinsational will go off as favourite, who in fairness, hasn't done much wrong for Edward Lynam in rent times. However, Hampstead Heath is a very consistent horse, and I feel that David Marnane may just have found the right race for his three-year-old here. He was second in a handicap at Leopardstown a couple of weeks ago for horses rated 60-100, and I think he's been treated quite fairly in the weights since.

7:00 - Golden Fleece Stakes (Listed Race)

A small field will ensure short prices, but I'm not interested in anything below [4.0] in what looks like an open affair. The money should come in for Vilasol, who looked pretty classy when breaking his maiden tag here in April. Ryehill Dreamer also looked solid when winning at Gowran last time out, and as always, there will be those who will follow the O'Brien horse, Sawtooth Dancer. Don't be put off however, if Agent Of Change goes off at a decent price. He showed that he's a real battler when winning a maiden here last month, and should give these a good run for their money.

7:30 - Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Brownstown Stakes (Group 3) (Fillies & Mares)

If the formbook can be relied upon, Age Of Chivalry will take this easy enough. She's been getting progressively better over the past two seasons, and certainly hasn't disappointed Oxx as a three-year-old so far. Close on her heels however, will be Cheyenne Star, proven in the past over the seven-furlong trip. If I can get [2.2] or thereabouts, I'll keep her on my side in the place market.

8:00 - Fernleigh Handicap

Striking Force looks the clear form choice, but with the handicapper catching up quickly, I'm not too keen to get involved at what will probably be a restrictive price. Luck Wud Have It is better horse than his basic form reveals, and gets a token vote to be placed in a race that's probably best avoided.

8:30 - Tattersalls Maiden

A big field maiden, with hardly any clues. Time to grab a pint and sit this one out!

9:00 - Mount Eagle Handicap

Another handicap, and another interesting puzzle. Raise A Row is an interesting contender, and came back to form at Limerick recently after a string of poor results. However, if Fran Berry can repeat the ride he gave to Mythical Prince at Sligo recently, Noel Meade and all connected have a great chance of finding themselves in the winners' enclosure in the last race of the day.