STAR PREVIEW: Leopardstown Thursday

[dropcap]E[/dropcap]ven if you don’t have a punt at Leopardstown tonight – watching the two Group races is compulsory if you want to check out some future stars.

The two feature races were won last year by Jack Naylor (runner-up in this season’s Irish Oaks) and Gleneagles (winner of five of his next races including the Guineas double and the St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot!).

There are eight unbeaten runners in tonight’s two races and they should both prove informative contests.

6:50 Jockey Club Of Turkey Silver Flash Stakes (Fillies’ Group 3) (2yo, Class 1, 7f, 9 runners)

Aidan O’Brien has done well in this race in the past (winning it last in 2013 and landing it for three consecutive years from 2009). He has two entries this year – the debutant Way To My Heart and impressive Curragh scorer Alice Springs who is entered up in all the top races and cost a cool 550,000gns. The spoiler for O’Brien though might be the Dermot Weld trained Tanaza who won on debut over course and distance and reading between the lines the trainer thinks very highly of this one. The form has also been boosted since as the runner-up Minding (O’Brien) bolted home next time out by five and a half lengths.

7:25 Japanese Racing Association Tyros Stakes (Group 3) (2yo, Class 1, 7f, 7 runners)

The safest bet is Sanus Per Aquam who is unbeaten in two starts and the Jim Bolger trained son of Teofilo was compared favourably with his father after his impressive course and distance success last time out when he beat Port Douglas by four and three quarter lengths. He already looks a class act and can give the trainer his third success in the race in the last nine years. Kevin Ryan sends over Taking Libertys who is also unbeaten in two starts but only won narrowly at Pontefract. He will be suited by this longer trip. Aidan O’Brien’s Deauville won nicely on debut at Listowel but that came on heavy ground and it’s good to firm in places tonight.

RECOMMENDED BETS (scale of 1-50 points)

TANAZA (6.50 Leopardstown), SANUS PER AQUAM (7.25 Leopardstown) 8 points win each and 4 point with double (all SP) with Star Sports

RETURN SINCE START OF WORLD CUP: LOSS 24.49 POINTS (Open golf bets outstanding)

What’s your view? CALL STAR SPORTS 08000 521 321