Hi all,
Wetherby’s move to an all-hurdle card means I haven’t had a look at any of the races at the West Yorkshire track. That leaves us with of course the Dublin Racing Festival and races at Musseleburgh and Sandown to go at.
Where do I begin today’s preview? Where else but Leopardstown.
Leopardstown
There are seven races for the first day of the Dublin Racing Festival and I have had look at the first six.
It’s been a dry 48 hours at Leopardstown so the ground has dried up a bit. It’s now soft on the hurdle track and yielding to soft on the chase track.
1:05 – Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors ’50k Cheltenham Bonus For Stable Staff’ Novice Hurdle (Grade 1) – 2m 6f
The highly progressive Gaillard Du Mesnil heads the market. The 5-year-old made a promising debut for Willie Mullins when 2nd of 20 at Punchestown back in November. He built on that initial promise when winning a maiden hurdle here (2m 4f) 40-days ago. He’s open to plenty more improvement for the step up to 2m 6f and looks a solid favourite.
Mullins could also saddle Stattler who also won a 2m 4f maiden hurdle here over Christmas. Like his stablemate he should improve for the step up in trip.
An even stronger challenger to the favourite looks to be Cape Gentlemen. The 5-year-old won the Irish Cesarewitch at the Curragh on just his second start for Emmet Mullins. He looked a smart novice hurdle prospect when winning a Punchestown maiden on his hurdles debut 60-days ago. That win came over 2m 4f but he should stay today’s extra two furlongs.
Verdict: Mullins applies the first-time hood to Gaillard Du Mesnil but he still rates the pick and looks value at 3/1 or bigger. Cape Gentlemen could reward each-way support.
1:35 – Ladbrokes Dublin Chase (Grade 1) – 2m 1 ½ f
Just the six now go to post.
Chacun Pour Soi is one of the bankers of the Dublin Racing Festival. I don’t see the Willie Mullins trained 9-year-old not winning this for the second season running. I put up Tornado Flyer (20/1) each-way earlier in the week and I remain happy with that. It’s a no bet race for me now.
2:10 – Patrick Ward & Company Solicitors Irish Arkle Novice Chase (Grade 1) – 2m 1 ½ f
Nine go to post for this year’s race but we have an odds on favourite in the shape of the Willie Mullins trained Energumene. The 7-year-old made it 2-2 since going over fences when beating Captain Guinness at Naas 24-days ago. He jumped well that day and needs to win this to maintain his position as second favourite to Shishkin in next month’s Arkle Novices’ Chase.
Mullins also saddles Franco De Port & Unexcepted. The first named is like his stablemate 2-2 over fences after his win in a Grade 1 over C&D at Christmas. Fast run race suited him that day and he could get that again here. While Energumene is the stable number 1. You can argue that Franco De Port’s form is stronger. Unexcepted is 1-1 since going chasing after winning at Tipperary back in October. He looked an exciting novice prospect at Tipperary and can’t be ruled out.
Darver Star runner-up to Honeysuckle in last year’s Irish Champion Hurdle and then third in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham. Has yet to reach that level over fences so far but was a good second to Franco De Port last time and is getting better with racing.
Verdict: Energumene is the most likely winner but I’m hopeful that stablemate Franco De Port can get into the places.
1pt each way – Franco De Port – 15/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
2:45 – Matheson Handicap Chase (Grade B) – 2m1½f
Twenty go to post for this first of two of competitive handicaps on the card.
Horses aged six or seven have won the last four running’s of this handicap chase and three of those four were sent off 8/1 & under and the other was 14/1. It will hopefully pay to concentrate on those younger horses and those at the front of the betting.
The Shunter won a beginners’’ chase beating a subsequent dual winner at Punchestown in September. When last seen in action showed the benefit of a strongly run race when winning the Greatwood Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham. Unexposed over the larger obstacles and the 8-year-old should go well here.
Epson De Houx is an old-fashioned chasing type who made it 2-3 when winning on his handicap chase debut at Naas 24-days ago. He’s been hiked 13lb for that success though which makes life tougher but he remains a big contender.
Willie Mullins opts for the first-time hood with Pont Aven. The 8-year-old has been knocking on the door in valuable handicaps on his last two starts here and at Fairyhouse last time. He night be better over slightly further but the anticipated strong pace will be in his favour.
1pt win – Epsom De Houx – 6/1 @ Bet365
1pt win – The Shunter – 11/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
3:15 – Chanelle Pharma Irish Champion Hurdle (Grade 1) – 2m
Honeysuckle won this race 12 months ago and puts her nine-race unbeaten run on the line. The mare didn’t have to be at her very best to win the Grade 1 Hatton’s Grace Hurdle on her seasonal return. She will be sharper with that run under belt and although this year’s renewal looks stronger than last years, she looks sure to go close on ground that will suit. If she does win connections will surely roll the dice and let her take her chance in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham.
Next in the betting is Sharjah. The 7-year-old gained his third C&D win when successful in a Grade 1 over Christmas. A small field suit him well and given Leopardstown is his track. He can never be ruled out around here.
It’s not a two-horse race though. Abacadabras, runner-up to Shishkin in the Supreme Novices, held off Saint Roi to win a tactical Grade 1 Morgana Hurdle at Punchestown two starts back. He ran well below his best behind Sharjah here last time. The 7-year-old is better than that and really needs to win or go close here if he’s to remain a Champion Hurdle contender.
Besides Sharjah, Willie Mullins will also saddle Saint Roi & Saldier. The first named was only 4th behind Sharjah last time and may be better in a bigger field. Saldier was 6th in that race but that was his seasonal return and first run for 409-days. He should get closer to his stablemate on Saturday and is another who needs to win to get back into the Champion Hurdle picture.
3:50 – Ladbrokes Hurdle (Extended Handicap Hurdle) (Grade B) – 2m
This looks ultra-competitive with twenty-two handicap hurdlers set to meet the starter. The pace looks likely to be strong and there should be plenty of competition for the lead.
The Moyglass Flyer won a handicap hurdle over C&D last season. Wasn’t seen again until running in the same race this December when finishing 3rd of 20. Another big run can be expected given his liking for the C&D.
West Coast Wildway put in a career best on RPR’s when winning a Thurles handicap hurdle 48-days ago. Up 7lb here but further improvement can’t be ruled out.
Saint D’oroux was beaten ¾ length by West Coast Wildway and gets a 3lb pull here. Showed a liking for a big field handicap when 3rd of 22 in the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham last March.
Advanced Virgo bids to give Charles Byrnes a fourth successive win in the race. The 6-year-old put in a career best effort when winning a handicap hurdle at Fairyhouse 69-days ago. He’s been put up 10lb for that success but seemed to have plenty in hand that day and is very much a player.
Drop The Anchor was badly hampered in the same race and did well to finish third. He tends to run his race in these big field handicap hurdles but is vulnerable to any improvers.
Hes A Hardy Bloke represents Noel Meade who won this race in 2017. The 6-year-old has won his last two starts over hurdles in maiden/novice company. Handicap hurdle debut off a workable mark of 134.
Golden Jewel was a strong finishing second in this race 12 months ago off 8lb lower. He showed he could be competitive off around his present mark when 2nd of 17 at Down Royal two starts back. The 9-year-old doesn’t win often enough, 0-18 since May 2018, but is well suited to a big field and the likely strong pace will suit.
Verdict: A fiendishly tricky handicap. I had seven on my shortlist and may still struggle to get any into the places. Golden Jewel can be ridden to get in to the places, as he was 12 months ago. Saint D’oroux can give his supporters a good run for their money. There was plenty to like about Advanced Virgo’s win last time. The Moyglass Flyer’s C&D form means he has to be respected.
1pt win – Advanced Virgo – 8/1 @ Paddy Power & Betfair Sportsbook
1pt each way – Saint D’oroux – 16/1 @ William Hill (paying 5 places 1/5 odds)
1pt win – The Moyglass Flyer – 6/1 – Gen
Musselburgh
2:05 – bet365 Scottish County Hurdle (A Handicap) (GBB Race) (Class 2) – 1m 7 ½ f
Blakeney Point needs to improve on his recent C&D success and he’s 2lb higher here. The 8-year-old was rated 105 on the flat when trained by Roger Charlton so could be capable of being better than a 127 horse over hurdles.
1pt win – Blakeney Point – 15/2 @ Bet365
3:45 – Edinburgh National Handicap Chase (Class 2) – 4m 1f
Le Breuil needs to win this to get into the Grand National. Found 3m 5f too short when 3rd of 13 in the Classic Chase at Warwick three weeks ago. Today’s longer trip is even better and he’s strong contender.
The Ferry Master is 2-3 since going over fences. Both wins having come at around 3m but is expected to. The 8-year-old is ground versatile, won on both heavy and good, and jumped well when winning at Newcastle last time. Has been given a 70-day break and has likely been aimed at this race.
Dino Boy is who’s worthy of respect. He proved at Kelso in December that this trip isn’t a problem when winning the Borders National at Kelso. He’s 8lb higher here but capable of getting into the money.
Prominent racer Saint Xavier should be suited by the track and ran well for a long way when 4th of 11 to Double Shuffle at Kempton last month. The first time visor he wore last time is replaced by the first-time blinkers and he shouldn’t be far away.
Bob Mahler won this 12 months ago off 2lb lower. Has pulled up on all three starts this season though and last good performance came when 3rd of 23 in the Kim Muir at the Cheltenham Festival. Hopes rest of the reapplied blinkers galvanizing the 9-year-old back to form.
Verdict: Can’t say I have ever taken to Le Breuil but there is no denying his claims here. Preference though is for the unexposed novice The Ferry Master.
2pts win – The Ferry Master – 4/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
Sandown
1:15 – Virgin Bet Handicap Chase (Class 2) – 1m 7 ½ f
Dolos bids for a hattrick of wins in the race and is just 1lb higher than when beating First Flow 12 months ago. Given that ones’ exploits since Dolos looks a worthy market leader.
Paddy’s Poem finished runner-up to Ibleo over C&D last time. He’s respected but is 5lb out of the weights and might prefer better ground than he’s getting here.
Moonlighter has a bit to find on with Paddy Poem here last time but comes into this if reproducing his neck second in the Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter on his seasonal return. Won on heavy last season and isn’t out of this.
Billingsley was progressive handicap chaser in the mud last season but has questions to answer on the jumping front after unseating his rider and falling on both starts this season.
Destrier is nicely handicapped on his best form but is likely better on a sound surface.
1pt win – Moonlighter – 8/1 @ Bet365
1:50 – Virgin Bet Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) – 2m 5f
Just the seven go to post but it looks a competitive renewal of the race. Of the front three in the betting Hitman, Shan Blue & Messire Des Obeaux. My preference is for Messire Des Obeaux who made it 2-2 over fences when winning a rescheduled Dipper Novices’ Chase at Wincanton last time. Has won on soft, although heavy is a bit of an unknown he should be fine on the ground.
2:55 – Virgin Bet Warriors Handicap Chase (Class 3) – 2m 4f
Gardefort returned from 588-day layoff to finish an excellent 2nd of 12 to Bennys King at Ascot in December. May have found the race coming two quick when pulling up at Wincanton last month. Granted the 12-yearpold hasn’t won since February 2017 but has been given a good chance by the handicapper if you ignore his last run.
Alnadam is respected on his C&D win in November and probably didn’t like Kempton’s sharp track when pulling up last time.
Evander has only had four starts over fences winning at Doncaster two starts back. Ran almost as well when runner-up at Wincanton last time but may not get an uncontested lead here.
1pt each way – Gardefort 12/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes (paying 3 places 1/5 odds)
3:30 – Virgin Bet Masters Handicap Chase (Class 2) – 3m
Ask Me Early is 2-2 over fences after two wins in the mud at Chepstow. Up 7lb for the latest of those wins 28-days ago but is going the right way and the 7-year-old looks the one to beat.
Deise Aba won this race 12 months ago off 2lb lower. Has pulled up on both starts this season though and hopes rest on the 8-year-old bouncing back to form in the first time cheekpieces.
Kiltealy Briggs has run respectably on both his starts over fences this season. Goes well on heavy ground, form figures 112, and should be suited by the step up to 3m for his handicap chase debut.
1pt win – Kiltealy Briggs – 13/2 @ Bet365
Cheers
John