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The Irish Angle: Johnny Ward's best bets on Thursday
By Johnny Ward
Last Updated: Thu 23 Jul 2026
Johnny Ward has four best bets for the Irish action on Racing TV on Thursday, with three selections at Leopardstown, plus one at Wexford.
Leopardstown stages a smashing fixture, with pre-race chat likely to never be so far from a question rarely asked: any doubts about the Ballydoyle runners?The great man, Aidan O'Brien, had a strangely quiet weekend at the Curragh. It is probably nothing, while the only track in his home county – Wexford – has its second successive jumps meeting.
4.58 Leopardstown: Shakespeare
Johnny Ward
Finished: 2ndSP: 4/9
Having cost 1.3m guineas as a yearling, he would at least want to win a maiden – though this type of race tends to be group races masquerading as a maiden.
Bred to be top-class, he looked badly in need of the run at Leopardstown and odds-against will do me here (for all that there is a slight concern about the stable’s runners at the weekend).
6.20 Wexford: Trixaboutmaisie
Johnny Ward
Finished: 11thSP: 13/2
This mare looked badly in need of a trip at Downpatrick, when she stayed on from off the speed over an extended two miles and a furlong.
She is trained by Colin Bowe, who does so well at Wexford, and this is a really weak affair.
6.43 Leopardstown: Aix La Chapelle
Johnny Ward
Finished: 4thSP: 13/8
A pedigree to die for and he finished exceptionally well at the Curragh, such that he is very hard to oppose here as the Ballydoyle first string.
8.28 Leopardstown: Tatum
Johnny Ward
Finished: 1stSP: 2/1
This filly finished five and a half lengths clear of fourth at this venue last time. It was a predictably solid run from a reliable filly and in a weak enough race here 4-1 is appealing, especially as Paddy Harnett takes off 5lb.
She is a regular here, twice a winner already, and it is hard enough to see her out of the first three. The original selection was going to be Party Dress, but 3s looks short enough and she has had quite a few chances in handicaps. She should at least again beat Folly Beach.
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