Leopardstown 2.45 - Handicap Chase 2 miles 5 and 1/2 furlongs - 17 run - Yielding

 

A host of these will be looking to run at Cheltenham and Aintree and a fair few drop down from 3 miles no doubt for a good blow out as part of that preparation. 

 

At the top end of the market Backtonormal is upped in trip on handicap debut, Search For Glory is another promising young horse who steps in to hot handicap company, this one drops back in trip and both look very promising types but they will encounter the class of the race in JAMES DU BERLAIS who will surely be aiming at Cheltenham and Aintree again and as the UK handicapper knows exactly where he is with this horse I don't think Mullins will be holding anything back, he'll be here to win this and win it I think he will.

 

Hgranca De Thaix, Sequestered, who carries a big penalty, Shantreuse who fell at the first fence last time and Pinkerton, who might not appreciate this Going would all have decent chances. There are though three at bigger odds who have really caught my eye.

 

MARS HARPER will love the trip and grund, the drop back in trip and reducing handicap mark could well see an improved run and I'll be disappointed if he's not in the first 3-4 home and if he wants to go to Cheltenham or Aintree he may definitely need a few extra pounds to get in to his target races. LIFE IN THE PARK drops back from 3 miles and that could see some significant improvement, he's another who will surely be aimed at Cheltenham again after an excellent run there last season. They just get the nod over Riann who was runner up in this last year and wh arrives back here a bit in the doldrums but off a very nice mark and well worth a smaller investment if you fancy one. (Sean)

 

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Musselburgh 2.265 - Edinburgh National - Class 2 - 3 miles 7 and 1/2 furlongs - Good to Soft - 14 run

 

This would be one of the easiest 4 miles anywhere on this flat right handed track and although the AW bends can get a horse occasionally off the bridle it's rarely an out and out stamina test. At the top end of the market Surrey Quest may well be using this as a Scottish National prep race and Ayr suits it better as a track, Cadell is upped in trip, Anglers Crag may also have a different race in his sights again, the Eider at Newcastle in a few weeks time and Innis Orr will hope that first time blinkers spark a revival, if they do this previous winner who had a first time visor that day could revive.

 

The Irish seem very confident, in both Bodhisattva and Evies Vladimir, and chatting to Michael, our Irish expert, he'd be more hopeful of Bodhisattva of that pair. Magna Sam is my 4th best rated and after a wind op the 2023 winner showed signs of a return to form last time out.

 

My clear top rated though is BRETNEY who is hoovering up regional Nationals and who still looks to have scope to go higher up the Ratings. I also think that LORD ACCORD  who has a touch of class about him could be a massive danger IF getting this trip as flat right handed tracks suit him and 14-16/1 looks like cracking value. Similarly if you want to play the enhanced places THE NEWEST ONE is another who could out-run very generous odds upped too in trip (Northern)