1:55 Leopardstown Tips

A Wootton Bassett colt. A half-brother to the impressive 2-year-old 7f victor Battleground. His dam was a winner up to 1 and a half mile, having competed in prestigious races like the Breeders Cup Turf and Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe, and also secured a win as a 2-year-old at 1 mile. Recently, he showed significant improvement by finishing 2nd in a maiden race at Naas just 8 days ago. Although he may have exerted likely too early, he has clear potential.

The front two ahead of her have more experience but have not exactly set the rocks alight. It's a bit surprising not to see this one as the favourite. Purportedly, Bern showed up well at home prior to debut when hammered in the betting. She was travelling well throughout the race before tiring, and the lack of experience told. She'll certainly strip fitter for that run, and the race should give her the experience to take this modest contest. I envisaged her around 6/4 and vying for favouritism. Getting 3/1 is very good value, and I fully expect this Frankel filly to be well backed before the off.

Playin Cool can go well for the Feane yard. Playin Cool has run in two races and finished in third at Punchestown over today's trip last time out. It can do better with that race to work on.

Race 1 at Leopardstown today is a Maiden for 3-year-olds and upwards over 1,811 m. The suggested wager is for the each way on the 3yo gelding Dawn Coming from the J S Bolger yard, and will be ridden by Declan McDonogh. This son of Make Believe has shown some ability in his 3 starts to date and is brought down in distance here, which should suit him better. With some improvement, he could be a lurker here and should be noted.

Gelded son of River Boyne & Beau Nuage ( Dam's sire Mukhadram ) who was last seen making his career debut at Navan 361 days ago where finishing a very creditable 9th/19 and doing well under the circumstances of being very badly hampered at the start leaving him not ideally placed towards the rear however for a horse running first time put he reacted in pretty professional manor and did well to finish where he did in that competitive big field maiden race arrives here in top nick and in very good heart stepping up significantly in trip on this return to action that most certainly being a good move by his connections as this new trip can see to him to much better effect and bring out a good deal of improvement in the process yard and is much better built for this returncto action yard also saddles Take Me however Tara Ni Ri is the percentage call in my point of view jockey Bem Coen takes the ride and can give N Meade's inmate a promising ride here at Leopardstown