Leopardstown - Friday 15th May 2026
Aidan O'Brien's WEST OF EDEN went off odds-on favourite for his debut in Navan, but finished fifth after being bumped twice in the early stages. The No Nay Never colt is highly likely to take a good step forward up in trip on better ground. King Of Cloughan was a place in front of West Of Eden at Navan, so has to come under consideration with that experience banked. O'Brien also saddles Mehmas newcomer Florida Bay and a good run from him wouldn't be surprising, while Nola Soul and Chesham add further spice to the mix on their first racecourse ventures.
DARING HEART was an eye-catcher on debut in the Curragh last summer where he made up a lot of ground to finish a never nearer fifth. That maiden has thrown up plenty of winners and the extra furlong on offer here should suit him well. Suspicious Mindz holds a mark of 87 and, if he runs to that, he ought to be bang on the premises. He finished runner-up behind a smart-looking sort in Cork and that form was franked when the third horse came out and won in Roscommon. Trustmore kept on for seventh behind Daring Heart at Headquarters and can improve upon that while Kirkland Sioux, Saga Gaga and Make The Tide are newcomers that could have a say.
LAND OF THE GIANTS took part in a successful Ayr raid and appeals off 2lb higher. He wasn't winning out of turn having been beaten by a neck in second over 1m at Cork on penultimate start. Monvoe enjoyed switching back to turf when successful at Limerick. Prior to that, he filled the runner-up berth on two occasions at Dundalk, so is holding his form well. Java Wood kept on without threatening in fifth at the Curragh and can get closer, while Rockbury Lad has the ability to get into contention and he was placed on his latest runs at Dundalk. Bucaneer's Spirit (who beat Land Of The Giants in Cork) and Lough Leane are others with claims.
CHICA GUERRERA ran a more than creditable race in second in a good fillies' handicap over a similar trip at Sligo. She had plenty of solid form last year and should prove competitive off her current mark with Reese Holohan's 7lb claim helping her cause once again. Diamond Exchange finished third in a tougher contest over C&D last month. She is generally consistent, so has to rate a danger, while Tatum has an absence to overcome, but has won two of her last three races. Inthesmallhours, with Dylan Browne McMonagle booked, Timeless Charm and Star Mind add more spice to the mix.
Top-class stayer SCANDINAVIA made a pleasing return to action with victory in the Vintage Crop Stakes at Navan. That was his fourth win in a row. including the St Leger at Doncaster on his penultimate start. He's ground versatile with an admirable attitude and doubtless all roads lead to the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot. Dallas Star made the running at Navan when finishing second to the selection. There was plenty of merit in that run and he's likely to race prominently once again. Leinster wasn't far behind in fourth in the Vintage Crop and could be in the mix, while Le Destrier won five times in Poland and is intriguing on Irish debut for Willie Mullins.
TASSAROLO's third place in the Curragh in March has been franked by the runner-up, and Reese Holohan takes a handy 7lb off his back. Maxwell Smart posted his only win so far over 1m5f on quick ground at Down Royal last year and has been placed several times since, while Jurality is a long-standing maiden, but could be thereabouts. Trishuli River is much better on Polytrack than on turf. However, the handicapper has given her a chance and similar sentiments apply to Marians Gal.
TOUCH THE MOON ought to have a career on the Flat in Ireland. His close third for George Scott in a Ripon handicap last year has been very well endorsed, especially by the horse in fourth who has subsequently run up a hat-trick. He switched to Bill Durkan for whom he has been placed in two maiden hurdles. A facile victory in a charity race at Punchestown should have him primed for this assignment. Poetic Sound has gone well fresh before and has to be respected with his mark of 94. Drucker is a tough sort that showed his battling qualities when winning over the same trip in Dundalk, while The Real Screamer and Soaring Sun are others for consideration.
Best to focus on West Of Eden and KING OF CLOUGHAN here, the two with prevous experience. They finished fifth and fourth respectively over 6f at Navan on debut, with the selection travelling best of the pair. This is over an extra furlong and it should be closer between the two, but he's taken to confirm form. Ryan Moore prefers West Of Eden over stablemate Florida Bay, who is entitled to respect all the same, but it's Chesham who is third choice. She cost 150,000gns, is from a good 2yo stable and there must be a chance she was named in the hope of making the Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot, suggesting she's held in high regard.
Not the stongest maiden ever run at Leopardstown, it would be no shock were one of the outsiders to raise their game significantly and cause an upset, but pinpointing which one would be guess work. The most likely winner is SUSPICIOUS MINDZ, who is a useful maiden and ran right up to her best on reappearance at Cork. Stall 14 could make things tricky but he still earns the vote. Matilda Joslyngage is a viable alternative but like Daring Heart, another who needs strong consideration, this will be his reappearance.
A big field and it probably wouldn't do to be drawn too high. Stall 11 isn't too bad for the 3yo MONVOE, who might be progressive enough to overcome an 10lb rise for winning at Limerick. He's getting weight for age as the only member of the Classic generation in here. Sixth at Limerick was Faoladh, who had a bit of a wide trip then and is more kindly berthed down on the inside this time. It would be no surprise were he to reverse form so he might be worth backing at a decent price. Land Of The Giants was a winner at Ayr last time and is only 2lb higher here, so should again go well.
There's more to come from Jessica Harrington's DIAMOND EXCHANGE, who probably did a little too much too soon here last time but still ran well and was earlier in winning form at Dundalk. The mare Star Mind was nicely on top late when winning over 9f here last time and looks the danger, although Chica Guerrera is a generally consistent sort and seems a strong place candidate at least once again.
This should prove straightforward for SCANDINAVIA en route to the Ascot Gold Cup. Last year's St Leger winner reappeared with a comfortable win in the Vintage Crop, beating Dallas Star and Leinster, and he should again flex his authority over that pair. Dallas Star will presumably tow them along again, as is his want, and it would be no surprise were Leinster to get past him for the runner-up spot on this occasion. Le Destrier has joined Willie Mullins but has a big absence to overcome and will likely need this.
A competitive field with both Trishuli River and Marians Gal potentially thrown in back on turf - they're rated 19lb and 14lb higher respectively on AW - but neither has done enough on grass to suggest they'll be able to cash in. Let's instead go with MAXWELL SMART, who ran well enough back on the Flat at Sligo last time to suggest he can win a race such as this from a mark in the low-50's. Jurality is another to consider on the pick of his form although he is still a maiden.
Drucker reverts to turf off a 12lb lower mark and he holds strong claims but has to prove his effectiveness on the different surface. The Real Screamer is respected, being a progressive sort, while Touch The Moon won a charity race last time, but Nicola Burns, rider of POETIC SOUND, and Siobhan Rutledge, aboard Jabbar, give their mounts a potential edge here. We'll go with the top weight, who goes well fresh and hasn't had much racing so could still improve.
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