Leopardstown 12.40 Handicap Hurdle - 2 miles 4 furlongs - 24 run - Heavy

 

A very competitive heat and the onus will be on ability to handle the ground, proven stamina and I'd suggest a decent cruising speed to be able to run at or near the front of a very packed field.

 

At the head of the market both WEST AWAY who was a long term Tracker horse for us from early runs and who clicked in similar conditions last time out to win and MUSIC OF TARA for De Bromhead and Rachel Blackmore will take all the beating and at their likely prices should both be backed each way as I can't see them being out of the first 5-6 home if they have luck in running and complete.

 

Of the remainder in the top end of the market, I have stamina and Going concerns about Heliko Conti and Almuhit, mixed messages too about the trip and Going for Ahead of The Possee for the Cromwell team. Hunting Brook runs for Elliott, ex Emma Lavelle and again the ability to handle the ground is a concern based on UK form. Ludus also for Elliott will need to show more than it has so far but that as you'll know is perfectly possible. 

 

Skinnider and Blenheim Belle are horses I am going to TRACK forwards as I think both can win races although maybe not today and I also think Marys Pride at huge odds here is one worth TRACKING too. Stormy Judge was a very highly rated Chaser before nearly 600 days off and is on the comeback trail and Hollow Sound who seems to prefer Punchestown is one at bigger prices that I think can outrun Odds of around 40/1 and he just missed a nomination.    

 

My other selections in addition to WEST AWAY and MUSIC OF TARA are in preference order, POWER HOUR who is unexposed but who has shown promise at the trip and for whom the Going and handicap mark aren't a negative and CLONBURY BRIDGE who handled Heavy Going as a Novice and who I noted running in to some sort of form last time out and who I quietly fancy. (I just rated this pair higher than the already mentioned Hunting Brook)

 

At bigger prices for some shrapnel. I really like the chances of PENNY JAR who has run well off marks around 104-107, is OK on soft and at the trip and who runs off a mark of 109 with a 7 lbs Claim. I also think RAJIN CAJUN is very overpriced with wins off 90 and 99 and proven up to 3 miles and as a winner has placed on heavy and another who gets a 7lbs Claim off a mark of 109. If you wanted a quid each way on one of the absolute rages then it would be POLITICISE trip and mark are fine if good enough and it has some Course form in soft conditions.

 

Tips (1) West Away / (2) Music Of Tara / (3) Power Hour / (4) Clonbury Bridge / (5s) Penny Jar / (6s) Rajin Cajun

 

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Leopardstown 3.00 Handicap Hurdle - 2 miles 7 and 1/2 furlongs - 15 run - Heavy

 

15 runners so some enhanced places.

 

Again I think that the pair at the head of the market are well worth an each way investment against the field so LUCKY ZEBO for the De Bromhead and Blackmore combination and ABSOLUTE NOTIONS for the Elliott team should be backed accordingly.

 

GAOTH CHUILL has finished runner up the last twice when tipped by us, just lacks a gear over shorter but hasn't been flagging stamina wise at 2 miles 4-2 miles 5 furlongs so the step up in trip looks a sensible move. MAXXUM won this race last year off a mark of 120 in soft ground, hammered then by the handicapper off marks of 138-145 but showed signs last time off 138 that it can and will be winning races again and given Course and Distance prowess i can see it placing here off 138

 

Of the remainder, Foxy Jacks could be thrown in off hurdle form of 4-5 years ago , M C Muldoon is out of form on the Flat, poor hurdles form in the past and prefers summer ground, so has no chance surely??, it is trained by Willie Mullins and ridden by Paul Townend though so nothing would really surprise would it? West Is Awake is in the Tracker and capable but I think best left for better Going conditions, I looked at Franciscan Rock but the handicap mark is a concern. 

 

IF you fancy one of the rages at about 50/1 I could see Max Flamingo beating more home than most of the rest if you fancy a small side £1 e.w punt

 

Tips (1) Lucky Zebo / (2) Absolute Notions / (3s) Gaoth Chuill / (4s) Maxxum