The post-Christmas racing is one of the yearly joys of being a racing fan. Matty Sutcliffe casts an early eye over the racing at Leopardstown from Boxing Day onwards, and has three ante-post selections.
3.00 Leopardstown (27th Dec) – Paddy Power Chase (Extended Handicap Chase) (Listed Race) (5yo+ 0-150) – Three Card Brag 12/1 1pt WIN
Though winless since January 2023 and still a novice over fences, a mark of 148 can underestimate THREE CARD BRAD should he drop into handicap company this Christmas as opposed going for the Grade One he’s entered in on Boxing Day.
The former Albert Bartlett fifth made his debut over fences last season when a 7/4f at Fairyhouse, but was beaten 3/4L by Corbetts Cross, finishing ahead of Monty’s Star. The winner is now rated 166 having bolted up in the National Hunt Chase and finishing third in the G1 Aintree Bowl. Though Monty’s Star reversed that form at Punchestown next time out, he still lost little in defeat given that one was then second to Fact To File and Spillane’s Tower, and is a genuine Gold Cup contender in my eyes.
Three Card Brag missed the Festival, but still put up an excellent performance at Punchestown in the G1 Champion Novice behind Spillane’s Tower and Monty’s Star. His jumping was very much ‘novicey’ throughout last season and no doubt will have been worked thoroughly at home. He returned this season with a likely pipe opener over hurdles at Clonmel earlier this month, but it was still a pleasing reappearance against two 140 rated hurdlers, and that can only be with a view for setting him up for a race of this nature.
Given the subsequent form of the likes of Spillane’s Tower, Monty’s Star and Corbetts Cross, Three Card Brag looks undoubtedly well handicapped and can fare well for Gordon Elliott who’s won this twice in the last seven seasons.
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2:00 Leopardstown (28th Dec) – Christmas Hurdle (Grade 1) (4yo+) – Bob Olinger 9/2 1pt WIN
The 3s about Teahupoo would suggest he’s more than likely to go straight to the Stayers’ Hurdle again given it was a successful route last season which widely opens up this field. Home By The Lee reversed the Lismullen Hurdle form with BOB OLINGER from last season at Navan last month and although he bombed out in this last season, he was a cosy winner of it in 2022 for all his two market rivals perhaps didn’t give their running.
Bob Olinger had somewhat of a resurgence last season with form figures of 1122 and was arguably unlucky not to win at Aintree in April. While he was a disappointing favourite for this contest in 2022, he was clearly not a well individual that season with form figures of 253 and SP’s of 13/8,7/4 and 15/8.
He probably lost little in defeat at Navan last time out as he gave 5lbs to one rated 6lbs inferior, and he kept on well to suggest it may be worth another go at three miles in time.
I was seriously impressed with how he travelled at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day prior to putting the race to bed, and if he comes on for that run last time out then now may be the time to catch him over three miles.
3:05 Leopardstown (29th Dec) – Neville Hotels Premier Handicap Hurdle (Listed Race) (4yo+ 0-150) – Comfort Zone 10/1 1pt WIN
BOMFORT ZONE was a smart three-year-old over hurdles, beating subsequent Boodles winner Jazzy Matty on debut before finishing six lengths behind Lossiemouth in a G3 Juvenile Hurdle at Fairyhouse. He went on to take two Grade Two’s at Chepstow/Cheltenham, though was met with a setback and not seen until last September when finishing an excellent second on the flat to a progressive type.
He returned to hurdles with a poor effort at Fairyhouse off 132, but came on for that when finishing a five length 7th at Punchestown in a competitive handicap over 2m4f. That suggested he had plenty of potential to take a valuable handicap over obstacles, and he posted a career best RPR at Galway in first time cheek-pieces in August when beaten two lengths behind The Wallpark, who’s now rated 15lbs higher having won twice since. Beacon Edge was behind that pair there, and has come out and boosted the form further having won a G2 at Wetherby and running a big race in the Hatton’s Grace nine lengths behind Lossiemouth.
Comfort Zone regained the winning thread on the flat when taking a 52k prize at Naas, and if turning up here then he can show up well from a handy mark of 131.
Cheltenham Festival Ante-Post Tips – Expect Guinness to Flow in the Champion Chase Again
The Queen Mother Champion Chase market was shaken up considerably over the past week. Matty Sutcliffe has found a 40/1 ante-post bet in the race as a result… Champion Chase – Captain Guinness 40/1 1pt EW 3 places The Champion Chase has a muddling picture to it. Jonbon tops the market at 5/2 and that’s…
Tue 10 Dec 2024
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