IT IS BEING described as Super Saturday in some quarters and Leopardstown’s card certainly has quality all over it, with four Grade 1 races. This is backed up by four other races for us to consider in England.
Proceedings get under way at Leopardstown at 1.15 with the Spring Juvenile Hurdle over 2m for 4yo’s. Seven runners go to post for what is a tricky little contest. Willie Mullins is two handed with Blood Cotil and Diakali. Both were impressive on the last runs with Blood Conti beating Stockton’s Wing in a Grade 2 at Christmas and Diakali winning two weak races in impressive fashion.
Jockey bookings suggest Diakali is the stable choice. Our Conor missed his engagement at Christmas as he was coughing. However he has looked a class act over hurdles and there is nothing to chose on form between him and Blood Cotil.
English challenger Ruacan will probably have to find a bit of improvement to figure here. The other three look up against it. With the Mullins team in such great form it’s hard to oppose them and Diakali is the selection with most to fear from Our Conor.
The Deloitte Hurdle over 2m 2f at 2.15 has attracted eight runners. Bright New Dawn has some decent form although only one win and has place potential.
Champagne Fever was a huge disappointment last time at Naas when going out like a light. He tried to make all that day but weakened rapidly from 3 out. The fact that he drops back in trip here suggests he might not have stayed. It will be interesting to see what tactics are employed tomorrow.
Legal Exit was impressive when winning his maiden the last day but this is a big step up in class although his trainer holds him in high regard. English raider Buthelezi is stepping up in class while Minsk has been a bit if a disappointment over Hurdles. Umpact and Wingtips are others who are looking at the place money although their trainer Toney Martin sprung a shock here last year with Benefficient. Waaheb is my choice in what is a tricky affair.
A high class horse winning three of his four bumpers and just touched off in the other, his jumping hasn’t been foot perfect in his two runs to date and probably cost him a few lengths against Jetski last time which would put him on a par with Champagne Fever. With a doubt in my mind over Champagne Fever, Waheeb, who is one of our horses to follow is selected.
A cracking race is in prospect in the Dr. P.J. Moriarty Chase over 2m 5f. Claims can be made for nearly all of the six runners. Boston Bob struggled on his chasing debut before seeing off the opposition at Navan in December and will have improved for the race and the extra furlong here. Lord Windermere renews rivalry with Texas Jack who beat him narrowly over course and distance two weeks ago.
Both have been pretty consistent over fences and there won’t be a lot between them here. Lyreen Legend is another to consider. He fell five out when travelling well in the Topaz at Christmas and before that had won and been runner up in his other two chases. I just feel he might need a bit further a comment which could also apply to Boston Bob. In what is a fascinating race I’ll take a chance with Lord Windermere to reverse form with Taxas Jack.
The Hennessy Chase is the big race of the day and what a puzzle it is.
Flemenstar and Sir Des Champs renew their Lexus chase rivalry here. Sir Des Champs didn’t travel or jump well that day while Flemenstar looked all over a winner turning in for home. The latter got a bit revved up in the preliminaries which probably took a bit out of him and will have ear plugs fitted tomorrow.
He also ran a bit free and different tactics should be employed tomorrow. Last year’s winner Quel Esprit has a tougher task here on his first run since disappointing at Auteuil last May. Joncol looks to have too much to do while Bog Warrior resumes chasing after a hat trick of hurdle wins and is interesting. I think that different tactics and jumping ability will just shade it for Flemenstar.
Over at Newbury the Grade 2 Betfair Denman Chase over 3m is due off at 2.25. Menorah steps up to three miles for the first time here and it will be interesting to see how he gets on. The Giant Bolster has to put his disappointing run at Kempton behind him but looks held on form anyway with Silviniaco Conti who holds all the cards here. An interesting runner is the French import Mail De Bievre, winner and placed in Graded races, who makes his debut for Tom George. However it’s hard to oppose Silviniaco Conti who should oblige.
The Game Spirit Chase is a trickier affair. It’s hard to have faith in Wishful Thinking given his breathing problems and preference is for French Opera who should come on for his seasonal debut at Kempton at Christmas. Interesting runner is Shooters Wood with Ruby Walsh up who steps up from Handicap Class and on official ratings has a lot to find to figure here. French Opera is the selection but minimal stake is advised.
Warwick has two Grade 2 races tomorrow with The Arkle Trial going off at 2.40. Only six have been declared and Fago is likely to start favourite. He created a big impression when winning on his debut at Newbury three weeks ago. On a line through Ohio Gold whom he beat he has a couple of lengths to find with Majala who has this race as his first preference with an alternate engagement at Newbury. However the way Fago went about his business last time impressed and he is the selection here.
The ladies get their chance at Warwick at 1.30 in The Warwick Hurdle over 2m 3f. It looks the ideal trip for Ma Filleule who has finished runner up in her last two starts over 2m 1f but was successful over fences in France at the distance. The booking of AP McCoy is significant and she can see off the challenge of Irish challenger Mae’s Choice, with Siver Gypsy and Kells Belle best of the rest.