Hi all,
A dreadful Saturday for the service. It looked Special Prep was going to save the day in the Grimthorpe Handicap Chase at Doncaster. Jumping the last I thought he was going to get the better of Red Infantry but It was not to be, as the eventual winner found more in the final few strides, and Special Prep had to settle for the runners up spot. Taking the positive, it’s better to have a poor run before Cheltenham rather than have it during Festival.
Here’s hoping that Leopardstown can bring an end to this poor run today. There are a couple big field handicaps at the Irish venue that I have got stuck into.
Leopardstown
3:45 – Anton O’Toole Mares Handicap Hurdle – 2m 4f
The improving Klassy Kay has won two of her last three starts over hurdles. The 7-year-old has been raised 11lb for the last of those wins at Punchestown 49-days ago but is going the right way. Likely to face totally different ground to last time but if she handles it will take the beating here.
Strange Notions finished 5th of 27 in a valuable mares’ only handicap hurdle here over 2m 2f last February before gaining her first success over hurdles at Thurles 12 months ago. She was in the process of running a good race on her seasonal return at Thurles in December, challenging for the places when falling at the last. Looked in need of further when 5th of 10 back at the same venue (1m 7 ½ f). Hugh Morgan takes off a handy 5lb, which gives the 7-year-old each way claims at the 12/1 available with Bet365.
1pt each way – Strange Notions – 12/1 @ Bet365 (paying 4 places ¼ odds)
4:50 – TRI Equestrian Handicap Chase (Grade B) – 2m 5 ½ f
Livelovelaugh returned from a 154-days break to finish a close-up 3rd of 22 in a C&D handicap at the Dublin Racing Festival last month. The handicapper has only raised him 2lb for that effort but the 11-year-old is on a losing run that does go back three years. Clearly capable of going close again but on balance the 100/30 favourite is worth taking on.
Mitchouka’s sole win over fences came in a Thurles beginners’ chase last February but he’s run a several good races since. Sixth in the Paddy Power (3m) here back in December. He dropped back to 2m 1 ½ f for handicap chase here at the Dublin Racing Festival and was doing his best work at the finish when 5th of 20, just two places behind Saturday’s Kelso winner The Shunter. Today’s intermediate trip could be ideal for the 7-year-old who will also like the drying ground.
Uisce Beatha put in a career best on RPR’s when winning a handicap chase here over 2m 1 ½ f at the Christmas meeting and wasn’t disgraced when 7th behind Livelovelaugh over C&D at the Dublin Racing Festival. Just his third start for present trainer and could be capable of better. Ground should suit and Simon Torrens takes off a handy 5lb.
Midnight Maestro looked improved when winning a C&D handicap chase two starts back. Made a mistake at the 11th and was soon pulled up when stepped up to 3m 4f in the Punchestown Grand National Trial. He didn’t seem to enjoy the soft ground last time and will find today’s underfoot conditions more to his liking. Up 9lb for his C&D win but remains on a competitive mark and can go well.
Verdict: Happy to take on Livelovelaugh here with Mitchouka, despite his price which contracted as I was writing this preview, Midnight Maestro and Uisce Beatha.
2pts win – Mitchouka – 5/1 @ Bet365
1pt win – Midnight Maestro – 10/1 @ Bet365
1pt win – Uisce Beatha – 8/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
Cheers
John