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PUNTERS TOOK A battering at Leopardstown yesterday with some short priced favourites struggling as much as the people who made it to the course in atrocious conditions.
Serious bluster and some heavy rain made it tricky viewing but as always the track coped well.
It’s Lexus Chase day and Gold Cup winner Bob’s Worth has stood his ground for Barry Geraghty and Nicky Henderson for the feature Grade 1 Chase over three miles. Arguably very much under par at an unsuitable Haydock in the Betfair Chase this looks a good return for the eight-year-old and although connections are concerned about all the rain it shouldn’t be an excuse for not being involved at the finish.
Sir Des Champs also has plenty to prove now for Willie Mullins and Davy Russell. Second of course to Bobs Worth at the Festival before winning at Punchestown last term he would have an obvious chance here but took a crashing fall at that track on his return earlier this month and you might like to see him jump a few here before betting at 3/1.
First Lieutenant would not have surprised many with a slow start to the season, Mouse Morris doesn’t tend to start them fast but he loves this track, went close to a famous win in the race last year and at 6/1 should be at least in the shake up under David Casey.
Benefficient will probably not line up after yesterday’s win so Unioniste, Rubi Ball and Lord Windermere all have respectable place claims but perhaps the best chance away from the top of the market is Lyreen Legend who went close in the RSA at Cheltenham and will appreciate this test at big odds for in form Bryan Cooper and Dessie Hughes.
Vaxalco was flagged up in Ryan McCue’s Christmas selections this week and might be a bit of value in the opener on the card for the Lord Windermere connections. Aidan O’Brien bids to follow up his winner at the track yesterday with Shield and top yards are obviously represented so punting comes with a warning in the maiden if you are getting involved!
It would not be a surprise to see Jetson run well off top weight in the Pertemps Qualifier at 12.50pm, the Jessica Harrington charge won this two years ago and was 6th last year. Something similar would do nicely in a possible repeat bid on the Festival final where he was unlucky to bump into Battle Group last year. It has 22 runners to sift through though and Tony Martin’s Living Next Door has to be of interest at the bottom of the list, might be in for better luck back over hurdles after a good run before coming down in the Troytown chase at Navan.
Inis Meain is the most interesting option in the next, always well regarded and perhaps then a little disappointing not to win more races over timber given his class but this looks a perfect opportunity for trainer Denis Hogan, and the owner and jockey combination of Barry Connell and Danny Mullins. That pair teamed up with The Tullow Tank yesterday and can get another Christmas Festival winner here.
It will take a brave punter to look beyond last year’s staying hurdle sensation Solwhit in the Christmas Hurdle over three miles at 1.50pm
Charles Byrnes and Paul Carberry worked magic with the nine-year-old last season and it looks a race for the places for the rest of the five runner field. Zaidpour runs for the Mullins team and they have left off any headgear this time that seemed to work well on the last run at Fairyhouse, probably in an attempt to keep the horse guessing as he does like to finish second and can do the same here.
General view of runners and riders during the opening race of the day yesterday. Pic: INPHO/Cathal Noonan
The beginners chase looks horrid for betting with Djakadam heading an open market and emphasis on jumping for all these runners means you have to take limited fencing experience into account. Last year the race was won by subsequent RSA Chase winner Lord Windermere so we may see a proper star in the making and for a tentative selection the Insider is going to side with Minsk. A purchase off the flat from John Oxx by owner Barry Connell and hasn’t hit the heights hoped for yet, chasing may make a man of him in time and he wouldn’t be winning a decent contest out of turn.
A bumper rounds off the card and the market will probably be the best guide for us to follow, early prices put Silver Concorde at the top of the list and not seen since Galway almost two years ago. Prior to that Dermot Weld’s runner was close up to Jezki and anything like that kind of form has to make the returning five year old a tough one to beat.
Best bets
Leopardstown
- 12.20 Vaxalco
- 12.50 Jetson & Living Next Door
- 1.20 Inis Meain ( Nap )
- 1.50 Solwhit
- 2.20 Minsk
- 2.55 First Lieutenant
- 3.30 Silver Concorde
- James Palmer
