Leopardstown 26 December 2016

Going: Yielding (Yielding to Soft in places)
 
 
Mostly sunny

Forecast: Mostly sunny
Temperature: 1.5° - 6.6°
Rainfall: none
Wind: 12.4 mph SW

All Racecards within one PDF

Instructions

1

12:15 Leopardstown (IRE) (4YO only)

Horse & Jockey Hotel Maiden Hurdle

2m

Winner €7,995 - 24 ran

No.
Form
Horse
Age / Wt / OR
Jockey / Trainer
Form Snapshot

This has become a JP McManus benefit race in recent years, with the owner landing three of the last four renewals. Potential RSA Chase candidate Coney Island landed this last year and the green and yellow hoops must have an outstanding chance of success once more with OUTSPOKEN. He jumped poorly when last seen 12 months ago behind the promising Willie Mullins inmate Allblak Des Places, but the pair were well clear of anything else and the four-year-old is likely to have been intensively schooled since. Mullins himself is represented by Flat recruit Bunk Off Early, while Imperial Way provides the selection's trainer Joseph O'Brien with a strong hand in the race.

2

12:45 Leopardstown (IRE) (5YO plus)

Thorntons Recycling Maiden Hurdle

2m 2f

Winner €7,995 - 7 ran

No.
Form
Horse
Age / Wt / OR
Jockey / Trainer
Form Snapshot

Castello Sforza probably needed the run when third in a big field maiden hurdle at Fairyhouse earlier this month and he is entitled to do better for a trainer who has won this twice in the last three years, while Felix Mendelssohn has a first-time tongue-tie and Davy Russell booked for his hurdles/stable debut. Joey Sasa was probably beaten by a smart type last weekend at Navan and isn't one to give up on yet, though preference on this occasion is for BARRA. She is held in high regard by Gigginstown House Stud and chased home a smart type on her Irish debut last month. A 7lb mares' allowance could well be the difference for Gordon Elliott's charge.

3

13:15 Leopardstown (IRE) (Class 1) (3YO only)

Knight Frank Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 2)

2m

Winner €26,550 - 10 ran

No.
Form
Horse
Age / Wt / OR
Jockey / Trainer
Form Snapshot

Blood Cotil and Apples Jade have landed this prize in the last four years for Willie Mullins and he looks well represented with Bapaume expected to go well. He might struggle to turn the tables on LANDOFHOPEANDGLORY from their recent battle earlier this month, though, and the latter is fancied to come out on top once more and continue his unbeaten stretch in this sphere. Mega Fortune was third in the same race and could probably only reverse the form if a much stronger pace was set than last time.

4

13:50 Leopardstown (IRE) (4YO plus)

Cardinal Capital Handicap Hurdle (80-116)

2m 2f

Winner €7,995 - 17 ran

No.
Form
Horse
Age / Wt / OR
Jockey / Trainer
Form Snapshot

BLAST OF KOEMAN was going well and probably would have held on for second but for an unfortunate fall at the last hurdle. Robert Tyner's charge has some excellent form behind the likes of Invitation Only and Saturnas and though an opening handicap mark of 116 isn't ideal, he could simply be too good for this opposition. Artful Artist jumped well at Limerick last time out and should appreciate this longer trip, while Dawerann drops in trip off 6lb higher but the booking of Ruby Walsh suggests that the seven-year-old remains in decent heart.

5

14:20 Leopardstown (IRE) (Class 1) (4YO plus)

Racing Post Novice Chase (Grade 1)

2m 1f

Winner €53,100 - 7 ran

No.
Form
Horse
Age / Wt / OR
Jockey / Trainer
Form Snapshot

A match between MIN and Identity Thief and it is the former who can follow in similar hoof prints to stable companion and the fellow Rich Ricci-owned Douvan. Second behind Altior in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham in March, Willie Mullins' charge impressed on his chase bow at Navan last month and if taking another step forward he may have too much class for Identity Thief, who is a Grade 1 winner over hurdles but didn't win as his odds suggested he would at Punchestown last time. Three Stars rates best of the rest.

6

14:55 Leopardstown (IRE) (4YO plus)

'bet Through The Racing Post App' Handicap Chase

2m 1f

Winner €16,297 - 12 ran

No.
Form
Horse
Age / Wt / OR
Jockey / Trainer
Form Snapshot

Ball D'arc remains relatively unexposed over fences and is on a workable mark if bringing his A-game to the party. Conceding weight to the likes of Powersbomb and RIVIERA SUN will be no easy task, though, and preference is for Henry de Bromhead's charge who was only beaten narrowly off 4lb lower at Cork last month and is still open to further improvement in this sphere. Jarry D'honneur and Coolaghknock Glebe are others expected to go well.

7

15:30 Leopardstown (IRE) (4YO only)

Lep Inn Flat Race

2m

Winner €5,843 - 11 ran

No.
Form
Horse
Age / Wt / OR
Jockey / Trainer
Form Snapshot

Of the newcomers in the field, Fly Rory Fly and Paloma Blue are noteworthy on the basis that they are well bred and represent powerful stables. The latter represents Henry De Bromhead but it is his stable companion TRAINWRECK, an impressive point winner in February, who makes most appeal on his Rules debut. Aeglos is another to keep onside and he'll be thereabouts if recapturing his Limerick form, while Midnight Escape can also get competitive.

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