Leopardstown 29 December 2016

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

Forecast: Mostly sunny
Temperature: 7.4° - 9.6°
Rainfall: none
Wind: 14.3 mph S

All Racecards within one PDF

Instructions

1

12:20 Leopardstown (IRE) (4YO plus)

Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Chase (0-123)

2m 5f

Winner €11,378 - 12 ran

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

SKELLIG ROCKS makes a fair amount of appeal on his handicap debut over fences having shown some promise when fourth on heavy ground at Roscommon in October behind Space Cadet. He was last seen finishing down the field behind Min at Navan but this looks a more realistic task with first-time cheekpieces applied. I Knew Well was put up 8lb for his recent win at Fairyhouse and should have no issue with the step up in distance, while Futuramic ran well over hurdles last time at Navan and should give a solid account.

2

12:50 Leopardstown (IRE) (5YO plus)

Guinness Maiden Hurdle

2m 4f

Winner €7,995 - 13 ran

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

BATTLEFORD was bitterly disappointing when sent off favourite on his hurdles debut at Navan as he looked very one-paced behind Brelade in fourth. The step up in distance here should bring about the required improvement from the Champion Bumper runner-up. New To This Town is yet to replicate his bumper form but has the potential to improve on the form achieved to date, while Jack Dillinger could benefit from both the step up in distance and the first-time hood.

3

13:20 Leopardstown (IRE) (Class 1) (4YO plus)

Willis Towers Watson E.B.F. Mares Hurdle (grade 3)

2m 4f

Winner €23,600 - 5 ran

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

LET'S DANCE can continue the excellent spell for connections having got the better of Shattered Love in a Listed contest at Punchestown and, most importantly, she gets weight from all of her rivals. Her form is arguably the strongest on offer and the step up in distance is another positive as she attempts to gain her first success in Graded company. Slowmotion fell at the first on her chasing debut so returns hurdling and should pose the biggest threat, while Daisy's Gift is another returning to hurdles after a fall over fences but does have some decent form with Airlie Beach.

4

13:55 Leopardstown (IRE) (Class 1) (4YO plus)

Neville Hotels Novice Chase (Grade 1)

3m

Winner €50,150 - 10 ran

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

A fantastic renewal of a contest which has a rich history of throwing up Cheltenham Festival winners including three since 2010 with Bostons Angel, Back In Focus and Don Poli. Coney Island was a hugely impressive winner of the Drinmore at Fairyhouse where he had Alpha Des Obeaux (third) and A Toi Phil (sixth) in behind but he looked at home over 2m4f and the step back up in distance would be the slight concern despite him finishing second to Bellshill in a Grade 1 over hurdles at the Punchestown Festival. There is a case to be made for the Gigginstown pair to reverse form with the former going to benefit from a step up in trip and the latter on a softer surface, but preference is for OUR DUKE. Jessica Harrington won this contest with the aforementioned Bostons Angel in 2010 and he looks a similar type with improvement to come at 3m. Martello Tower is respected being an out and out stayer, while Jetstream Jack cannot be discounted either.

5

14:30 Leopardstown (IRE) (Class 1) (4YO plus)

Ryanair Hurdle (Grade 1)

2m

Winner €59,000 - 5 ran

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

Willie Mullins has landed this prize five times in the last six years and is doubly represented by NICHOLS CANYON and Footpad. The former doesn't always get the respect he deserves despite winning seven Grade One contests and the former John Gosden-trained son of Authorized rates as the one to beat. He beat Jer's Girl by 12 lengths last time out in the fog at Punchestown and should confirm that form, with Petit Mouchoir expected to provide the biggest danger this time. Henry de Bromhead's charge was going well in the Fighting Fifth at Newcastle before a crunching fall three out. He could be one for forecast purposes if suffering no after effects from that incident.

6

15:05 Leopardstown (IRE) (Class 1) (4YO plus)

Top Oil E.B.F. Novice Handicap Hurdle (81-130)

2m 4f

Winner €17,220 - 12 ran

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

JP McManus won this prize last year with the talented Squouateur and the legendary owner holds a strong hand once more with four entries. The choice of Barry Geraghty has to be respected and STRETCHINGTHETRUTH is expected to bounce back after losing his unbeaten record last time out. He didn't run to form there and the potentially classy Death Duty made a mockery of the rest of the field. Bilko has a bit to find with the selection based on their novice run in October, while First To Boogie could still be a well-handicapped horse despite a 7lb rise and the booking of Ruby Walsh is interesting.

7

15:35 Leopardstown (IRE) (Class 1) (4YO to 7YO)

Donohoe Marquees Flat Race

2m

Winner €6,457 - 9 ran

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

This usually works out to be a decent bumper with Lucky Pass (2015), Vigil (2014) and Outlander (2012) landing the spoils in recent years. BURREN LIFE looked poised to get off the mark in a point-to-point earlier this year before a final fence fall, but that performance was enough to convince Gigginstown House Stud to fork out 135,000 pounds for the son of Pelder. The four-year-old was second to a potentially smart Willie Mullins inmate 18 days ago and could now claim compensation under Jamie Codd. Arctic Light only found the potentially top-class Samcro too good last time out, while Quick Grabim is an intriguing contender for Robbie McNamara.

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