Leopardstown racing best bet: Mutasarref will go well but don’t rule out rank outsider

17:55 Boylesports Ballycorus Stakes

Course and distance winner Mutasarref has been well-backed as the bookies' favourite to make it three wins from four at Leopardstown on Thursday.

However, you could almost throw a blanket over the field as just 3 lbs separate six of the seven runners whose prices range from the 11/8 favourite and then 9/2 to 12/1.

Even I Am Superman, currently 18/1, is a course and distance winner who looks well capable of defying the odds.

Mutasarref looks like the pick of the bunch and trainer Ger Lyons is in fantastic form and has produced a joint-best four winners of the Ballycorus over the years.

Colin Keane, who saddled his most recent winner, Dr Zempf in 2021, gets the ride again today.

Real Appeal is second in the market and has plenty of experience as he embarks on a fourth-consecutive run in the Ballycorus, one of which he won, and a 12th appearance at Leopardstown.

He too looks in good form as his most recent run was a ½ defeat to Bold Discovery at Leopardstown, almost building on a win at Dundalk in tougher conditions in March.

Special Wan is a very lightly-raced bay filly who we’ve seen three times. The first of those appearances was a maiden stakes win at Leopardstown in July.

After that, she finished third and second in listed races at Curragh and Naas. The first is worth studying as she ran beyond her years and kept on well.

However, although she finished within ¾ of the length of the winner Mutasarref, he timed his run perfectly and won at a canter.

The elder statesman and rank outsider in the race, I Am Superman, will no doubt struggle to match the favourite but his pricing is still a surprise, as he’s more than capable of giving a good account.

Suggested bet: Mutsarref to win 17:55 at Leopardstown

Suggested bet: I Am Superman each-way in the 17:55 at Leopardstown

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