Now Or Never, Custom Cut and Shogun set to star at Leopardstown

This gelding has thrived since joining the Yorkshire handler and enjoyed another profitable campaign last season when bagging two Group 2 contests.

Custom Cut also ran very well when beaten just a length by the highly-regarded Tim Test in a Group 2 at Newmarket, and was far from disgraced on seasonal reappearance at Doncaster when third to Bellardo.

The seven-year-old has since gone on to finish a solid fourth to the progressive Mahsoob in the Group 3 Earl Of Sefton Stakes and should now be spot on to do himself justice.

Custom Cut is also a dual course and distance winner and, in what looks a weak renewal, is going to be tough to beat on the pick of his form.

Shogun the pick of O’Brien’s Derby Trial team

Leading Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien saddles four of the eight runners in the Group 3 Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial Stakes (15:35), and Shogun looks the pick of the quartet.

This colt won on his second start as a juvenile and went on to finish a fine 1 3/4 length sixth behind Ultra in the Group 1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere at Longchamp on his penultimate start of 2015.

That is strong form in relation to this contest, and there was lost to like about Shogun’s return to action at Newmarket last month when third to Stormy Antarctic in the Group 3 Craven Stakes over 1m.

The three-year-old got outpaced a furlong from home before rallying well to be beaten four lengths, and the step up to 1m 2f in this looks sure to suit.

Shogun has also been chosen by jockey Ryan Moore over his three stable companions, and that further suggests he is the number one hope for team Ballydoyle.

Selections

13.55: Dapper Man
14.25: Custom Cut (NB)
15.00: Now Or Never (NAP)
15.35: Shogun
16.10: Zalty
16.40: Botany Bay
17.10: Sea Of Mystery

Related

You’ll find more betting tips over on our Coral’s horse racing section.