Leopardstown, Friday 15 May 2026 — Tips & Preview

Leopardstown, Friday 15 May 2026 — Tips & Preview

A seven-race card at Leopardstown on good ground, and while the feature event is as straightforward as they come on paper, there are angles worth taking in the supporting races. The lady riders’ handicap and the juvenile maiden both offer decent value opportunities if you know where to look.

7:22 — Saval Beg Levmoss Stakes (Group 3, 1m6f)

Selection: Scandinavia — Ryan Moore, A P O’Brien

There is no angle against Scandinavia here. A 4yo colt rated 123, carrying the form line 5111-1, ridden by Moore and trained by Ballydoyle at a yard that has hit the board 13 times from 44 runners in the last fortnight. The 1/6 price tells you everything you need to know about how this race is perceived. Six runners, only two places paid, and the favourite is odds-on for a reason.

Leinster at 8/1 represents the only realistic each-way option in a small field where the terms barely justify it. Donnacha O’Brien’s Happy Pharoah showed ability when winning last season but that seventh last time out is hard to overlook. This race is a straightforward assignment for the Ballydoyle number one, and the value conversation is short.

Verdict: Scandinavia wins. Do not overthink it. The interest lies elsewhere on the card.

8:30 — Women In Racing Lady Riders Handicap (1m4f)

Selection: Drucker Each-Way — Orla Tynan (7), Andrew Slattery

This is the race that catches the eye. Ten runners, three places paid at 1/5 odds, and a handicap that rewards those who can identify a horse on an upward trajectory at a decent price.

Drucker is the one. Andrew Slattery’s yard has been in fine form, hitting the board five times from 33 runners over the past 14 days, which is a strike rate that puts most stables to shame right now. The 4yo gelding has a form line of 6-1341, progressive and consistent, and the RPR of 93 makes him the best-rated horse in the field on official figures. He drops into this lady riders’ contest off what looks a workable mark, and Orla Tynan takes off a useful 7lbs from the saddle.

The 4/1 available at Boyle Sports and Betfred looks generous for a horse of this profile. LiveScore Bet go 7/2, so shop around. Each-way at those terms with three places on offer is a straightforward play.

Touch The Moon is the obvious danger at 13/8, and George Benson can ride, but the favourite’s yard has drawn a blank in 17 attempts over the past two weeks, which is a cold run by any measure. The Real Screamer showed form last time and merits respect at 9/2, but Drucker’s combination of top weight rating, yard form, and jockey claim makes him the standout play.

5:05 — Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden (7f)

Selection: West Of Eden — Ryan Moore, A P O’Brien

Juvenile maidens at this time of year are notoriously hard to read, but the O’Brien and Moore combination at 13/8 with a debutant in Florida Bay also in the race creates an interesting dynamic. When Ballydoyle saddle two, the one Moore takes off the other tells you plenty.

West Of Eden has form on the board, a run fourth at debut, returning a TS of 17 and an RPR of 68. That might look modest, but first-time-out experience at Ballydoyle typically counts for a great deal when Ryan Moore turns up on your back next time. The market has this horse at a price that respects the unexposed Florida Bay, ridden by Wayne Lordan at 9/2, but Moore’s book of rides rarely lies.

King Of Cloughan for Joseph Patrick O’Brien is the market second at 5/2, with Dylan Browne McMonagle aboard. The 4 on debut is honest enough but the RPR of 78 suggests he has more to find against the Ballydoyle pair. Chesham at 13/2 from the De Aguiar yard is a filly stepping into an all-colt affair, which is a tough ask at seven furlongs here.

West Of Eden at 13/8 is the call, with the yard producing 13 winners from 45 runners in the last 14 days. That is a yard in form. Take the Moore booking as your guide.

Today’s NAP