Hi all,
Thankfully, it’s the start of a new month. I don’t think I have wanted a month to end quite as much as the last one.
Leopardstown
4:40 – Poker Party is a short-priced favourite for this valuable 2m 5 ½ f handicap chase. A winner at Listowel in September he was a respectable 4th of 27 in the Paddy Power at Leopardstown’s Christmas Festival. Drop in distance won’t be a problem and nor will the drying ground.
Anibale Fly has finished last on all three of this season’s starts in Grade 1 company but the top weight takes a big drop-in class and distance here. Granted his best form has come over much further, although he wasn’t beaten far when runner-up to Monalee in a Grade two 12 months ago. Six of his seven best RPR’s have come between February & April so despite his poor form so far this season he could easily bounce back to form here and if he does, he’s handicapped to win again.
Woods Well is another contender if reproducing his best form which came when winning this race last year before finishing 5th in the Topham Handicap Chase over the Grand National fences last April. The 9-year-old has been disappointing on all four of this season’s runs which means he’s now 5lb lower than 12 months ago. Add in Conor McNamara taking off a useful 5lb and the first-time blinkers replacing the cheekpieces and you have another capable of going close if the new headgear inspires a return to form.
Verdict: Poker Party is an inform and possibly still progressive handicap chaser but at the prices there is value to be had if Anibale Fly or Woods Well come back to something like their best.
1pt win-Anibale Fly – 7/1 @ Bet365
1pt win-Woods Well – 10/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
Cheers
John