Leopardstown 2.25 - Handicap Hurdle - 3 miles - 26 run - Soft

 

I whittled the 26 down to a manageable list of 10 to really focus on and although the likes of Binge Worthy, Flicker of Hope, Fortunefortunata and Iceberg Theory didn't make that list they were not lightly discounted nor was the UK raider Supreme Gift and interesting booking for Danny Mullins for Henry Daly and I know that Robin T quietly fancies this one.

 

The market is basically 10/1 the field against the 7/4 favorite Meetingofthewaters who runs off a Hurdle mark 36lbs below its Chase mark for Willie Mullins with Rachel Blackmore in the saddle. It would be a surprise if it were beaten but at 10/1 the field, excuse me if i search for the each way value to 6 or more enhanced places. If you want a win-saver, please feel free.

 

I could on another day make very strong claims for KIng Alexander for Mullins, an ex Henderson horse who could come back to punch me in the guts and Whatsavailable a very solid 25/1 sort of punt who deserves the greatest of respect. I always like to suggest a fun £1 e/w bet at odds above 40/1 in this sort of race and today that suggestion goes to PATTER MERCHANT an as yet unexposed 3 mile P2P winner for the Elliott yard who should be TRACKED forwards and LUCKY LYREEN who has had 2 quiet runs but for whom conditions will suit and one who is only a couple of pounds above its last winning mark and another to keep a very close eye on as that mark drops. Mordor for the Elliott yard is being heavily tipped in places but I just can't fathom how this ex Flat horse can suddenly find the stamina to go an extra mile.

 

LUCKY LYREEN is my 5th best rated and the following 4 would be the ones to focus on ahead of it in my final analysis.

 

GOATH CHUIL is and will probably remain one of my favourite horses, a very confident tip for this race last season and very much a course specialist, it was only the fact that a 50/1 advised Maxxum came and pipped it at I think 25/1 SP on the day. GOATH CHUIL has run solidly in defeat last year, has a manageable mark and will love coming back to its favourite Course.

 

PERCIVAL LEGALLOIS won this in 2023 off a mark of 125, returns back to Hurdles off a mark of 135 but still strikes me as one who must surely be in the shake up here in the closing stages. BACKMEORSACKME was visually impressive last time out and worth a 4lbs penalty and is another who I will be disappointed if not in the first 5 home and DESERTMORE HOUSE is a distance winner who is just the type to stay on off a decent pace past beaten tired horses off a nice mark of 130 with a good 5lbs Claimer up and in the price range between 25-33/1 got the nod over the already mentioned Whatsavailable and King Alexander.

 

(Sean)

 

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Wetherby 2.43 - Handicap Hurdle - Class 3 - 2 miles 3 and 1/2 furlongs - 17 run - Soft

 

Mr Bramley looks a good solid favourite at 7/2 for those who like a win saver type bet but with enhanced places i'm keen to explore a few at double figures odds plus HAZY GLEN for Mick Easterby who loves nothing more than a winter winner and this one has done nothing wrong and still looks to have some scope to improve.

 

Mickey Hammond is always one to fear here and both the enigmatic Foster'sisland who can pop up at any time and Singapore Trip, for whom Sean Bowen is an eye catching booking were not discounted at all lightly. Skelton runs Joyeaux Machin who was rubbing shoulders briefly with Constitution Hill this time last week, this horse is not that level but clearly has some ability and should be looking to win a Class 3 handicap at some point when they decide to run it on its merits in a winnable race. Until we see a level of consistency from the horse it's hard to assess but a horse I'll be worried about all the way around.

 

My 4th rated is Rich Spirit and apart from the fact this one has fallen in a couple of recent Chase runs and on it's last Hurdle start it would have been a tip, I think he needs a schooling run and for that reason alone he just misses out on an investment.

 

His stablemate NORTH PARADE though is inconsistent but generally consistent here and with the Yard in much better form he looks the type who can pop up in a race like this now after a few quiet runs and i'll be very disappointed if he's not bang in contention in the closing stages. Another well worth an each way dabble to 4 places is RAFFERTYS RETURN who is a Course and Distance winner, below par of late but has dropped below its last winning mark over Course and Distance as a result (Northern)