Your best bets at the Leopardstown Festival today

It’s another bumper day of racing action, despite the weather.

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AFTER THE DELIGHTS of Kempton yesterday we are spoilt now with three class days still to come at Leopardstown and the Christmas Festival.

Three year old maiden hurdle to kick off with and probably not a betting race for ,many watching but do have the notebook ready. Last year Gordon Elliott won this with an unfancied Flaxen Flare and he is mob handed but the fav is going to be Ivan Grozny, for Mullins/Walsh and the Wylie colours will be carried by this highly rated French import.

Another hurdle is next and although it is a maiden don’t expect the majority of this field to remain that way for long. Champagne James has a verdict over the talented Blackmail in a Navan bumper and should be at the head of affairs here for Ted Walsh and the Connell/Mullins partnership. Lack of a run a worry of course and with Dermot Weld running Defining Year who has solid flat form plus stoute looking opposition from the Meade, Elliott, Martin and Dessie Hughes yards then only a tentative selection.

The Dial a Bet Chase, a Grade One contest over 2m1f gives punters a good look at Arvika Ligeonniere, who possibly put in his best ever round of jumping when winning at Punchestown this month. Expect a bold bid from the front and the trip, track and ground should not be a problem although might be better right handed and will be tested here. Baily Green is reported to be in great nick by Mouse Morris, Sizing Europe is nearly twelve but hard to dismiss and Kid Cassidy makes an interesting trip across the water for Nicky Henderson. At the odds Sizing Europe looks a touch of value perhaps at 11/4 and with emphasis on jumping then that is the Insider selection, one final swansong?

With respect to Artic Fire who looks the Mullins second string in the Champion Novice Hurdle that follows at 1.50pm the race looks a quality match between The Tullow Tank and Moyle Park. The former won the Royal Bond Novice at Fairyhouse in a style that suggested a huge battling and hardy type and the former hasn’t really been tested yet but could be very top much top order, the pick of the Mullins pair.

Gambling Girl might be underestimated at the odds of 20/1 or so as the Fairyhouse run could not have been a true effort, however the pick is for Moyle Park to be good enough now tested against top opposition.

Gigginstown look to have the Handicap Hurdle at 2.20pm between their three fancied runners, the pick of them may be Maxim Gorky who gets a fair few pounds from Arnaud on ground that might not suit the top weight. Ruby Walsh booked for Willie Austin does catch the eye and if it is not a Gigginstown 1,2,3 then Blacklough is the one to shake them up after a good spin at Navan last time.

Always highly anticipated it’s the Paddy Power Chase at 2.55 and the weights and makret headed by the exciting Home Farm for Arthur Moore and David Casey. Looked just the type for the race but off top weight will need to be very good here and can be taken on at the prices. Plenty of possibles and Questions Answered looks weighted just about right for recent good form and does act here, often a Limerick entry so connections will be hoping they made the right choice with a big run likely. Sraid Padraig for Tony Martin could have a bit more to offer at this trip and will be well supported whilst Davy Russell has picked lightly weighted Panther Claw out of a fair Gigginstown entry.

JP McManaus of course always has a big hand to play in these races and Cause of Causes is the choice of AP McCoy and can go well with the pick of the others likely to be Jacksonslady and those two will do for a play in the race for the Insider.

It’s a wrap with the Bumper that closes the card and whatever wins probably has a big future in store. A chance is taken with Rube Burrow to represent Noel Meade and Nina Carberry in a good light, the yard like to win this and the ones that have run don’t yet appear to be stand out performers.