1m, €12,000, 4yo+, Good to Yielding, Strong Pace Forecast, Draw Bias Against High

🔥 Top Contender: ARTFUL APPROACH (IRE) (Adj TFR: 92)

Trainer: Stephen Thorne (🔥 trainer, NT uplift) | Draw: 7 | Odds: ~10/1
New yard could unlock more from this lightly raced 4yo, who ran creditably in a competitive Galway handicap (89 TFR) and was fourth behind a useful type at Killarney, not seen to best effect.
✅ Handles soft/yielding
✅ Mid-draw sweet spot
✅ Well-weighted off 79 and looks progressive
⚠️ Off 219 days but Thorne excels with fresh runners (fitness penalty -2lb)

📌 Timeform comment: “Not seen to best effect last time… interesting now with Stephen Thorne.”

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🧨 Main Dangers

CHAVAJOD (IRE) (Adj TFR: 90)

Draw: 15 (high draw concern) | Jockey: David Egan | Odds: ~9/1
Career-best on AW two weeks ago (87+), form of that race working out. Winner over C&D.
✅ Strong pace suits
✅ Trainer has strong ROI with 1 runner at a meeting
⚠️ Drawn high in 15 — not ideal with rail bias today
⚠️ Back-to-back peak efforts not guaranteed at 7

📌 Timeform comment: “Encouraging return… this C&D winner could be the way to go.”

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DARK VIPER (Adj TFR: 89)

Draw: 3 | Jockey: Shane Foley | Odds: ~10/1
Second to a gambled winner at the Curragh on reappearance, and that soft-ground 6f run rated 86, value in the effort.
✅ Up to 1m now – more his trip
✅ Well-handicapped on prior runs
✅ Comes from in-form yard
⚠️ Exposed to some extent; win record poor (0/16 turf)

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COUNTERCULTURE (Adj TFR: 88)

Draw: 21 (very high, worst part of track) | Odds: ~14/1
Roscommon winner, reliable type with solid figures in big fields.
✅ Likes pace setups
✅ Trainer profitable in these races
⚠️ Wide draw a major tactical issue

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💡 Notable Each-Way Shouts:

• ZIPSTER (Adj TFR: 86) – lightly raced, 4yo, back class from UK, but fading lately.
• BUCANEER’S SPIRIT (Adj TFR: 85) – track form and could run on into a place, but has work to do off current mark.
• MIGDAM (FR) (Adj TFR: 87) – not ruled out, but keeps refusing to settle; needs strong pace to relax.

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📊 Pace & Draw Factors

• Strong end-to-end gallop forecast (many forward-goers: Expound, Chavajod, Counterculture, Rampage)
• High draw disadvantage historically at Leopardstown 1m – big negative for stalls 15+ today
• Stalkers/midfielders from low/mid stalls ideal scenario

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📌 Final Verdict

• 🥇 ARTFUL APPROACH – ticks most boxes: form, draw, yard uplift, and fitness offset
• 🧨 CHAVAJOD – will be flying late but wide draw tempers confidence
• 🧠 DARK VIPER – well positioned and primed after sharp return