It’s the final day of Leopardstown’s Christmas Festival on Sunday 29th December and there’s an epic clash between State Man and Brighterdaysahead in the Grade 1 feature of the day, while there’s a whole host of competitive races on the card. Our in-house tipster Steve Chambers previews the action and picks out his best bets on the card.
12.45pm Leopardstown – SIS Supporting Irish Racing Irish EBF Novice Handicap Hurdle
An impressive six-and-a-half length winner on hurdling debut, SAVANTE failed to land a blow in a hot Down Royal Grade 3, but Colm Murphy’s charge can bounce back to form with aplomb on Sunday and land victory in the 12:45pm race at Leopardstown. Lining up off a mark of 120, the daughter of Workforce could be very attractively handicapped and has to be the selection. She made a race-ending error in the middle of that Down Royal event and was struggling to maintain a positive position, so her race was run, however, she looks better than that and can bounce back here.
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2:30pm Leopardstown – Neville Hotels Hurdle
State Man suffered a shock defeat to BRIGHTERDAYSAHEAD when the pair locked horns in the Grade 1 Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown last time out and they are set for another titanic tussle in the Grade 1 Neville Hotels Hurdle at 2:30pm. State Man is sure to improve from that effort and has been the dominant figure in this contest recently, but Brighterdaysahead is really showing she is top class and could be decent value again. She’s sure to make it a real test over two miles and if she can get State Man out of his comfort zone again then she could well frank that Punchestown form with a Leopardstown victory on her CV.
10 To Watch In Ireland Over Christmas – The Irish Angle With Donal Murphy
No less than 10 fixtures are scheduled to take place from December 26th until the end of the year, with four-day festivals running concurrently at Leopardstown and Limerick respectively. There is also action at Down Royal on St Stephen’s Day, while the Punchestown fixture on New Year’s Eve marks the end of the 2024 campaign….
Mon 23 Dec 20243.05pm Leopardstown – Neville Hotels Premier Handicap Hurdle
Edward O’Grady’s ANY ROAD romped to an eight-and-a-half length success last time out at Fairyhouse and he looks like he could continue on an upward curve and land this hugely competitive handicap hurdle at 3:05pm. He’s been given a 7lbs rise for that facile success, but the manner in which he pulled clear in the closing stages suggested there’s more to come and while the likes of Sa Fureur and Tounsivator could put pressure on him, O’Grady’s charge can score again.
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