This festival has quickly established itself as the final stopping point on the Road to Cheltenham for many of the leading Irish contenders and it has already got a reputation for throwing up Cheltenham Festival winners.
You can watch all the Leopardstown action – as well as every UK and Irish race – via live streaming when logged into MansionBet. Our tipster has selections for all of the action this afternoon from Leopardstown (1.05pm-4.25pm, seven races).
1.05 – Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors ’50k Cheltenham Bonus For Stable Staff’ Novice Hurdle (Grade 1, 2m6f)
The Willie Mullins juggernaut will be eager to kick straight in here and Gaillard Du Mesnil has fine prospects under Paul Townend after he made up for a defeat behind Holymacapony (poor next time) when scoring well in a 2m4f maiden here in December.
The duo could go well, while Ashdale Bob is worth considering to bounce back from an early fall at Naas last time for Jessica Harrington. Gentlemansgame is 2-2 thus far but CAPE GENTLEMAN – winner of the Irish Cesarewitch in October – did things rather nicely on hurdling bow at Punchestown (2m4f, heavy) in December and could take this rise in trip/class in his stride for Emmet Mullins and Brian Hayes.
Selection: Cape Gentleman @ 13/2
1.35 – Ladbrokes Dublin Chase (Grade 1, 2m1f)
Min won the first two renewals of this race for Willie Mullins in the Rich Ricci silks before finishing second to stable/owner mate CHACUN POUR SOI last year. The defending champ is 2-2 this season, readily dispatching Notebook over C&D at Christmas and can book his ticket to the Queen Mother Champion Chase in Cheltenham next month (odds-on already) by retaining this prize.
Min probably wants further but is second-best, while Fakir D’Oudairies might outrun a massive price.
Selection: Chacun Pour Soi @ 4/9
2.10 – Patrick Ward & Co. Solicitors Irish Arkle Novice Chase (Grade 1, 2m1f)
Another odds on jolly for the champion trainer in Energumene and he does look something special given the ease with which he put away Captain Guinness at Naas last month. He has dominated from the front so far but Paul Townend believes he can be convinced to sit in should the likes of Felix Desjy be eager for helter-skelter action early doors.
Franco De Port had a few of these behind in winning a C&D Grade 1 at Christmas and is part of a four-strong WP Mullins assault today, with easy Tipperary winner Unexcepted also present.
DARVER STAR was behind Franco De Port in second over Christmas but Gavin Cromwell’s charge maybe found that race didn’t play out to his strengths. He could turn that around en route to a place now.
Selection: Darver Star @ 12/1
2.45 – Matheson Handicap Chase (Grade B, 2m1f)
Greatwood Hurdle scorer The Shunter had already won over fences this season prior to that November score at Cheltenham and he’s rated just 4lb higher now turning his attention to handicapping in this sphere. He has a major shout, as the market suggests.
PORT STANLEY has run well in four starts in beginners’ chases this season at 2m-2m4f, all on testing ground, drawing swords with the likes of Energumene and other decent sorts. Cheekpieces go on for this h’cap bow and a mark of 135 looks fair for the Jessica Harrington-trained contender.
He should give Robbie Power a good spin in this very competitive affair and may reverse previous form with Aramax on these terms.
Selection: Port Stanley @ 10/1
3.15 – Chanelle Pharma Irish Champion Hurdle (Grade 1, 2m)
The unbeaten mare HONEYSUCKLE attempts to emulate Istabraq and Hurricane Fly in retaining the Irish Champion Hurdle crown. She’s bidding for a ‘Perfect 10’ and Henry De Bromhead’s star may still be improving at seven-years-old. She can make the most of her 7lb allowance to win again.
Sharjah misfired in this race a year ago, but is the big danger having won a third C&D Grade 1 at Christmas. He’ll be looking to pounce late on. So, too, his stablemate Saint Roi and Gordon Elliott’s Abacadabras, but the mare has proven stamina and she might draw the sting from them.
Selection: Honeysuckle @ 11/8
3.50 – Ladbrokes Hurdle (Extended Handicap Hurdle, Grade B, 2m)
A €75,000 bounty for the winner here and so no wonder this handicap has drawn together a talented line-up. The Moyglass Flyer loves this place and was third over C&D at Christmas on his first start for a year.
From an unchanged mark, he’s a big player with Mark Walsh siding with him over a host of JP McManus-owned runners. Overlooked he may have been, but don’t discount Joseph O’Brien’s other JP runner, FRONT VIEW, in the hands of JJ Slevin.
He’s 5lb lower than when starting favourite for the Martin Pipe at Cheltenham last season and has won over fences this season despite not looking a natural. Back over timber, he can go well.
Handicap debutant He’s A Hardy Bloke and Willie Mullins’ Ciel De Neige are others to monitor.
Selection: Front View @ 16/1
4.25 – Goffs Future Stars I.N.H. Flat Race (Grade 2, 2m)
Envoi Allen and Appreciate It are the most recent winners of this contest before going on to big things at Cheltenham the following month. It is, as expected, a bumper with lots of depth.
Kilcruit looked very good having moved to Willie Mullins when he won at Navan in December and is a big player in a strong team from Closutton (Ramillies, Whatdeawant also considered), while Noble Yeats looked very good on heavy ground at Thurles just 10 days ago and warrants respect.
CHEMICAL ENERGY easily put away the useful On Eagles Wings at Down Royal in the autumn, Gordon Elliott’s charge making it 2-2 in bumpers when he did. He’s meeting different ground now but Jamie Codd’s mount could be very good.
Selection: Chemical Energy @ 7/2
*All odds correct at time of writing