Johnny Ward: my four best bets at Leopardstown on Thursday

Leopardstown's Flat fare is under-appreciated by the Dublin public and Thursday's action is hugely appealing for the level of horse.That no trainer who is not an O'Brien declared one for the feature King George V Cup (6.30) is striking. Yet the race is a pearler for a Listed heat, with Endorsement bidding to endorse or otherwise the form credentials of two lively players in the Betfred Derby who finished just ahead of him here on latest.Here are four selections in the card's second half, three of which I think it is worth keeping faith with having been beaten when previously tipped.

This horse drifting to a starting price of 5.2 on the exchanges at Gowran was one of the most staggering drifts I've seen in a long time – she was roughly evens in the morning and one could see why after her massive run on debut.

Everything suggests she will do better at this distance and she should win this.

I doubt I've ever backed a horse to win three different races in the space of six days before. Down Royal was disappointing on Friday, but the ground seemed to be to blame.

This is a cracking handicap, a major step up in grade and she has a penalty, but the rain is coming and she's hard to get away from on what she did at Gowran (when curiously weak in the wagering).

Eoin Griffin has gone some time without a Flat winner, but his stable could hardly be in better form.

He has conceded before he is surprised how long this horse's maiden status has stayed with him, but he loves this track, will be fine regardless of how much rain falls and can offer value at the prices given the race's competitive nature.

Down The Glen is feared back at a mile. Conversely, the selection goes up to a mile, which should suit on the basis of Gowran, when he looked to have a lot in hand. He is only getting going it seems for his shrewd trainer.