2 group races at Leopardstown this evening

not for the first time, the top events are run this evening in Ireland, where Leopardstown stages 2 group races. They are both for 2yo´s over 7 furlongs, and the first one is for fillies only at 19.25 CET. This looks quite competitive, but Aidan O´Brien has won this 5 times in the last 6 years and now saddles 3 of the 8 runners. Needless to say, they are all very well bred and we assume that his son Joseph has made the right choice by partnering Cocoon, even though she was only 7th on her debut. That was in a hot maiden at the Curragh, when she was only the third choice of 3 O´Brien juveniles, but she ran well enough to suggest that she would be winning soon. The dangers are, apart from her stable companions, Agnes Stewart (Eddie Lynam/ Billy Lee) and Marsali (Dermot Weld/ Pat Smullen), as well as the Aga Khan´s Raydara (Mike Halford/ Shane Foley). Half an hour later, the equivalent race for colts has only 3 runners, a dismal turnout. The O´Brien´s run Gleneagles, an easy winner at the Curragh last time, but behind Convergence (Ger Lyons/ Colin Keane) on his debut here. However the choice is Tombelaine (Weld/ Smullen) who ran like a horse with a big future when scoring on his debut over this CD 6 weeks ago.
The best racing in the U.K. is this afternoon´s card at Sandown. We like German-bred Dandy (Andrew Balding/ Jimmy Fortune) in the 10 furlongs handicap at 16.40. From a top Röttgen family, he has finally come into form and has won his last two races; this is much tougher, but the handicapper has not been too harsh and we think that he can progress further. Fortune also rides a German-bred in the 3yo handicap over 1 3/4 miles at 15.30. This is Hughie Morrison´s Fun Mac, and he also has a fair each way chance; being by Shirocco he should stay well enough, but would prefer some rain to fall which looks unlilkely.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: John F Kennedy - Prologue - Order Of St George
2. Race: Korbous - Carenza - California Rose
3. Race: Marsali - Raydara - Jack Naylor
4. Race: Tombelaine - Convergence - Tombelaine
5. Race: Byron Beauty - Muileata - Mr Snagsby
6. Race: Egyptian Warrior - Snowmane - Papa`s Way
7. Race: Annus Mirabilis - Hudson`s Bay - Unrequited