Day 2 of the Leopardstown Festival continues today with the first of a seven race card due off at 12.25.
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Here is our preview of all seven races at Leopardstown today with our tips in capital letters.
THUNDER AND ROSES can land the opener. Although turned over at skinny odds on his hurdling debut at Cork last month, there was no disgrace in finishing runner-up to a Willie Mulins inmate and that experience should stand him in good stead today. Talbot Road warrants plenty of respect on his first spin over timber after a pleasing fifth in a Fairyhouse bumper 26 days ago (where he was sent off joint-favourite), while Shamar is worthy of consideration representing the stable who have won the last couple of runnings of this event.
The progressive GRANGE produced his best effort yet when scoring readily on similarly testing ground at Punchestown last time and, although a further 11lb rise in the ratings is sure to make life tougher, expected further improvement could help him hit the target again. Treat Yourself and Doc Hollywood both merit consideration chasing hat-tricks, while Spot Fine is no forlorn hope on his return to hurdling duty.
A high-class renewal, in which the first four home in the Grade 1 Hatton's Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse earlier this month all meet again. Zaidpour came out on top that day and has to be respected, but MONKSLAND is fancied to turn around a two-and-a-half-length deficit meeting on 2lb better terms. A top novice last term, Noel Meade's charge showed that he has progressed over the summer when finishing runner-up against his elders at Fairyhouse and the way he stuck his neck out that day suggests that the extra four furlongs today can only help. Last year's winner Voler La Vedette has been slightly disappointing in both outings so far this season, but she cannot be written off just yet.
A few look to have chances here so the hat-trick seeking PIRES receives what is only a tentative vote. Tony Martin's gelding should arrive full of confidence following a couple of chase wins and he lines up off a 4lb lower mark today than that he won off at Down Royal last time. Willie Mullins has a couple of interesting representatives in Quiscover Fontaine and Supreme Carolina, especially the former who won this contest 12 months ago, while Sizing Italy is the least exposed of these and has a chance.
A competitive renewal, in which DEDIGOUT gets the tentative vote. After a Grade 1 novice hurdle success at last season's Punchestown Festival, he couldn't have been more impressive when striking on his seasonal/chasing debut in early November and was unlucky to bump into the top-class Arvika Ligeonniere (who followed up in style here on Wednesday) in the Grade 1 Drinmore Novice Chase at Fairyhouse last time. Stepping up half a mile in trip is unlikely to cause any problems and he looks sure to go close. Back In Focus hasn't put a foot wrong in both chase starts and he is most feared with conditions to suit, while Lyreen Legend and Mount Benbulben add further spice to the race, although the latter needs to brush up on his jumping.
Flemenstar appears to be improving all the time and he was impressive when beating the reopposing SIR DES CHAMPS in the Grade 1 John Durkan Chase at Punchestown, but there looks to be plenty of reasons why Willie Mullins' charge can reverse placings today. The six-year-old wasn't knocked about by Davy Russell in that event and the combination of having that comeback run under his belt and stepping back up in trip appears to give him a massive chance. Although billed as a match, another who commands respect is Tidal Bay, who looked right back to his best when finishing runner-up under top weight in the Hennessy Gold Cup last time.
Willie Mullins saddled the winner of this contest 12 months ago and he appears to have another cracking chance with BALLY LONGFORD this time around. The son of Gold Well confirmed promise shown between the flags when finishing runner-up on his NH debut in a Downpatrick bumper last month and that experience should stand him in good stead today. His biggest danger looks to be Thurles second Tangled Web, while Gabriel Brandy certainly isn't out of it either.
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