listed race in Ireland

the best racing today comes from Ireland, where a listed race over a mile at Leopardstown at 17.40 CET is the main event. In theory this looks at the mercy of Kingsbarns (Aidan and Joseph O´Brien), who has plenty in hand on official ratings. He won the Racing Post Trophy at two, and although he failed to build on this last year, his effort in the QE II Stakes was easily good enough for today´s opposition. However he will be at long-odds on and is not a betting proposition especially on the likely very soft going. In fact it be worth opposiing him with Pop Art (Charles O´Brien/ Fran Berry), who has already run well this season and will act on the ground. She is owned by Vincent O´Brien´s widow Jacqueline and daughter Sue - also the owner of Kingsbarns, so it could be a family finish. It could be a big day for Aidan and Joseph, who should also take the 3yo maiden at 17.10 with Johann Strauss (runner-up in the RP Trophy!) and they also have fancied candidates running at 16.40 and 19.10.
The 4 U.K. meetings offer no such excitement. There is some quite competitive jumps racing at Wincanton, but not at a high level, and flat racing on the all-weather at Lingfield and Southwell this afternoon and Kempton this evening. Paul Webber could be the trainer to follow at Wincanton, as we like the prospects of Koolala (Denis O´Regan) at 15.15 and Marley Roca (Max Chenery) at 16.45, but basically punters are advised to keep their powder dry for the Grand National meeting starting tomorrow at Aintree.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Intense Debate - Sherama - Palace
2. Race: Table Rock - Fiscal Focus - Timiyan
3. Race: Light Heavy - Pop Art - Qewy
4. Race: Sophisticated Heir - Rose Angel - Indy Gal
5. Race: Little Arrows - The Black Devil - Zeftan
6. Race: Lone Star - Tom Dooley - Teoleena
7. Race: Gold Not Silver - Hurricane Sky - Carvelas