Leopardstown, Thursday 18 June 2026: Tips and Analysis

Leopardstown, Thursday 18 June 2026: Tips and Analysis

Eight races on the card at Leopardstown on a mostly cloudy June evening, with good ground holding throughout. That surface suits horses with a clean, fluent action rather than those who want some cut, so keep it in mind when assessing any unexposed types. Three races stand out for punters looking for value, and there are angles worth taking in each one.

4:35 — Irish EBF Auction Series Race (7f, 2yo, Good)

Juvenile auctions races are a minefield at the best of times, and an 11-runner field with several debut runners makes this tricky. That said, there are two angles worth examining.

Tosca No Candis (4/1 Boyle Sports, 9/2 Betfred) catches the eye at the top of the market. Robson De Aguiar’s yard has been quiet of late with a 0/5 return over the past 14 days, but trainer statistics in juvenile auctions races can be misleading because the yard has produced winners at Leopardstown before. The key attraction here is Shane Foley in the saddle on Apollo’s Comet (5/2 Boyle Sports) for Jessica Harrington, who runs at 4/35 over the past fortnight. Foley is a high-class operator and Harrington’s yard knows how to place a juvenile for maximum effect. The form figure of 3 shows this filly has already hit the track and shaped with promise on debut. On good ground, she should travel well in a seven-furlong contest that will suit a filly with any stamina in her pedigree.

Selection: Apollo’s Comet at 5/2 (Boyle Sports). The experienced hand of Shane Foley and the Harrington yard’s placement ability make this a solid short-priced play.

For a wider alternative at bigger odds, Bold Move Each-Way at 12/1 (Boyle Sports) deserves a small each-way interest. Donnacha O’Brien sends this colt out with Gavin Ryan booked, and the yard has returned 1/13 over the past two weeks, suggesting they are not in peak form but are not completely cold either. At 12/1 in a three-places market, there is value in the frame.

6:20 — Boyle Sports Rated Race (1m, 3yo, Good)

This is the race of the evening. Nine runners, a spread of form, and a couple of genuinely interesting angles.

Krasimir (6/1 Boyle Sports) for G M Lyons is the one that stands out. Lyons has been in sizzling form with a 8/17 strike rate over the past 14 days. That is not a typo. Nearly half his runners have won. When a yard is operating at those levels, you back their runners regardless of the price. Krasimir’s form reads 323-2, which is a model of consistency. He has not won yet, but he has been knocking on the door consistently and a one-mile trip on good ground at Leopardstown feels like it could unlock this gelding. Gary Carroll is booked, a reliable partner who knows how to deliver at the right moment.

Shaftesbury Avenue (3/1 Boyle Sports) for Aidan O’Brien is the obvious market rival. The yard has returned 14/55 at 14 days, which is solid, and form of 316 shows the colt has been placed but also won. However, A P O’Brien’s course A/E of 0.88 at Leopardstown tells you the yard actually underperforms expectations here relative to the market. At 3/1, that is priced as a near certainty. It is not.

Halon Bay (8/1 Boyle Sports) is another to note. Ben Coen takes the ride and the form reads 841, with that winning last run for Ciaran Murphy’s yard. A horse who won last time out, ridden by one of Ireland’s best conditional jockeys, at 8/1 deserves serious each-way consideration in a nine-runner field.

Selection: Krasimir at 6/1 (Boyle Sports). Lyons at peak form, consistent profile, good ground suits.

7:50 — 1878 At 3Arena Maiden (1m5f, 3yo, Good)

Twelve runners, a stay of one mile five furlongs, and a market headed by a Joseph Patrick O’Brien hotpot. The question is whether the favourite is worth taking on at short odds.

Changing Lanes (5/4 Boyle Sports) for Joseph Patrick O’Brien has form of 32, so the colt has been consistent without winning. At 5/4 in a 12-runner maiden, that is a short price. O’Brien’s yard has returned 7/61 at 14 days, a respectable 11% strike rate but not a yard in screaming form. The market has made this horse look better than those bare numbers suggest.

The more interesting play is Eniac Each-Way (11/2 Boyle Sports) for Donnacha Aidan O’Brien. Form of 93-549 looks messy but the horse has been running over shorter trips and a step up to a mile and a half furlongs on good ground might be exactly what unlocks him. Gavin Ryan takes over in the saddle and the yard has hit 3/18 over 14 days. At 11/2 in a 12-runner maiden with three places paid, the each-way case is genuine.

Chairmanforlife Each-Way (14/1 Boyle Sports) for Jessica Harrington deserves a small each-way ticket too. Form of 64 shows this gelding has run twice and is getting experience under his belt. Harrington placed a runner in the earlier race and she does not send horses to Leopardstown without a plan. Nathan Crosse in the saddle is a capable operator at this level. At 14/1 with three places on offer, there is fringe value.

Selection: Eniac each-way at 11/2 (Boyle Sports). Trip increase on good ground could be the key, and the price is fair in a wide-open maiden.

Today’s NAP

Krasimir — Boyle Sports Rated Race (6:20, Leopardstown)
Odds: 6/1 — Boyle Sports (others: 6/1 Betfred, 6/1 LiveScore Bet)

G M Lyons has been operating at an extraordinary 8/17 strike rate over the past 14 days and when a yard is running hot like that, you follow the money. Krasimir has been knocking on the door with a consistent 323-2 profile, and the combination of a yard in peak form, a reliable jockey in Gary Carroll, and good ground at one mile makes this the standout bet of the card. The market has left 6/1 on the table for a horse who should be shorter. Take it.