The Irish horse racing broadcaster offers up his selections for Sunday’s action at Leopardstown, including a big name at a big price in the Dublin Chase.
Yes, there are obvious concerns over his jumping and the long absence but EL FABIOLO 7/2 is just too big a price to ignore in the Dublin Chase at 14:10.
The 2023 Arkle Chase hero blundered his chance away when sent off at 2/9 for last year’s Champion Chase and it is testament to his raw ability that he was able to get within four lengths of Jonbon at Sandown afterwards despite making several notable errors. He is unbeaten in two starts over fences at Leopardstown (including in this race last year) and has a great record first time out for Willie Mullins so if new jockey JJ Slevin can nurse him around without any major blemishes he ought to have a much better chance than odds of 5/1 suggest.
SAVANTE 10/1 is an interesting contender for the opening EBF Paddy & Maureen Mullins Mares Handicap Hurdle. It’s been a relatively quiet campaign for trainer Colm Murphy but this six year-old has provided him with two of his five seasonal successes to date and she looked to still have a bit to offer when brought down two out on her handicap debut at the Christmas festival here. It’s also worth remembering that she was sent off favourite for a Grade 3 at Down Royal prior to that and she may well prove to be nicely treated off 119.
Novices dominated last year’s O’Driscoll’s Irish Whiskey Leopardstown Chase, with Heart Wood ultimately coming home alone following the last fence tumble of Perceval Legallois, and the latter’s trainer Gavin Cromwell could enjoy better fortune this time with BACKTONORMAL 100/30 .
An initial mark of 130 might appear on the steep side for the Milan gelding but it is not difficult to envisage him bursting into life now he moves into handicap company after three runs in beginners chases. The most recent of those came when a never-nearer sixth at today’s venue, and judged on the pick of his hurdle form – a Punchestown festival defeat of the very useful Answer To Kayf – he makes plenty of appeal against a clutch of more exposed rivals.
Paul Townend’s decision to go with State Man over Lossiemouth has rather clouded the issue in the Irish Champion Hurdle and that’s a race I’m quite happy to watch.
Visit Betway’s horse racing betting page.
