Hi all,
It’s the final day of the Leopardstown & Limerick Christmas Festival’s and there’s also Listed race at Doncaster.
Leopardstown
Leopardstown steals the headlines once again with the two Grade 1’s this afternoon. The first of them is the Neville Hotels Novice Chase (1:45). Six have been declared and recent Fairyhouse scorer Corbett’s Cross heads the early bird betting. He built on his chase debut third when winning a Fairyhouse beginners chase earlier this month. The step up to 3m should elicit even more improvement from the 6-year-old.
It’s no easy task for the favourite as he faces several interesting rivals. Flooring Porter is back going left-handed which is a big plus to his chance. Favori De Champdou looked a real stayer when winning the Grade 2 Florida Pearl Novice Chase at Punchestown. He needs testing ground to be seen at his best and should get that this afternoon. Grangeclare West jumped well for a novice to win a Navan beginners chase last month (Corbett’s Cross 9 length back in third). That success came over 2m 4f, but he should stay 3m and if he can build on his Navan performance, he can win this.
The other Grade 1 on the card is the Matheson Hurdle (2:20). Just four have been declared but there’s still a fascinating clash between stablemates State Man and Impaire Et Passe.
State Man has only been beaten once on his last nine starts that was by a certain Constitution Hill. He made a winning seasonal return in the Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown last month and is the one to beat. Impaire Et Passe was last season’s top novice hurdler, winning the Ballymore at Cheltenham and a Grade 1 at the Punchestown Festival. He made a solid return to action when runner-up to Teahuppoo in the Hatton’s Grace at Fairyhouse 26 days ago. The drop back to 2m is a plus but it will take a might effort to beat his stablemate.
Besides the two Grade 1’s there’s a couple of tricky handicaps on the Leopardstown card.
12:00 – Sweet Will won a good ground 3m handicap hurdle at Doncaster in March for previous trainer. Back to form on first start for new yard when a ½ length 2nd of 9 in a handicap chase at Fairyhouse 27 days ago. Up 4lb but can go close if in the same mood as last time.
Galon De Vauzelle is on a losing run of 15 and comes into the race having pulled up on his last two starts. That’s hardly promising for this, but he does get the first-time blinkers and is on a good mark if the headgear has the desired effect.
Nephin Beg’s sole handicap success came in a novice’s handicap hurdle at Cork last December. He’s only had two starts over fences and he left behind a poor chase debut when a 4 lengths 3rd of 15 in a beginners’ chase at Tramore last month. Interesting on handicap chase debut with one of the best Conditional Jockey’s in the race Danny Gilligan booked for the ride.
2:55 – Waterford Whispers won a Galway Maiden hurdle on his return to action, the runner-up Ataboycharlie won a handicap hurdle here on Boxing Day and has gone in again over today’s distance at Fairyhouse 27 days ago. The step up 2m 4f really suited the 5-year-old and he should stay 3m. One of the least exposed runners in the field and looks on a winnible mark on handicap debut.
Willie Mullins saddles a couple of handicap hurdle debutants in Mount Sinai and Linden Arden. The former won a Clonmel maiden hurdle two starts back before being outclassed in a mares’ only Listed race at Punchestown 17 days ago. Paul Townend opts for Mount Sinai which could be significant, but Linden Arden is much shorter in the betting and could be on a good mark on her first start for the yard.
Champagne Admiral got off the market the third attempt over hurdles when winning a novice hurdle (2m) at Limerick last month. He handles heavy ground well and the return to 2m 4f shouldn’t pose a problem for the 5-year-old. Looks on a handy mark for his handicap debut and is high on the shortlist.
Doncaster
The best of the action this side of the Irish Sea is at Doncaster where the feature is the KC Sofas Doncaster Yorkshire Silver Vase Mares’ Chase (1:40).
Zambella bids for a hat trick of wins in the race and was a good winner on her seasonal return at Aintree 20 days ago. Pink Legend was third to Zambella in last year’s race and was behind that mare at Aintree on her seasonal return. She’s since gone onto win at Newbury, but I think Zambella will prove up to beating her once more.
Zambella, despite her massive claims, isn’t favourite. It’s Irish challenger Limerick Lace that heads the early bird betting. A winner at Clonmel on her seasonal she’s gone onto finish a 2 ¼ length 2nd of 20 in the valuable Troytown Handicap Chase at Navan. Ratings wise she can win but maybe requires more testing ground back at 2m 4f.
Fantastic Lady is a useful mare at her best who beat Zambella in a similar race at Market Rase last season, albeit that win came over 3m. She ended last season in the form of her life finishing runner-up in the Topham Chase over the National fences and a 7 ¾ length 3rd of 6 to Hewick in a Grade 2 at Sandown. A respectable fifth in the Grand Sefton Chase at Aintree 48 days again on her seasonal reappearance. Two & half miles might be a bit on the short side for the 8-year-old but she’s a contender and at the prices could be the value play.
Betting Advice:
Leopardstown
12:00 – Nephin Beg – 1pt win – 12/1 @ Bet365
2:55 – Waterford Whispers – 1pt win – 5/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes and Champagne Admiral – 1pt win – 15/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
Doncaster
1:40 – Fantastic Lady – 1pt win – 5/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes.
Cheers
John