St Stephen's Day Irish racing once again comes from Leopardstown as the Christmas Festival gets underway in Dublin.
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Here is our preview of all seven races at Leopardstown this evening with our tips in capital letters.
After starting at odds of 8/13, it was fairly disappointing that NED BUNTLINE got turned over on his hurdling debut at Fairyhouse earlier this month, but he is entitled to have learnt plenty from that experience and can go one better today if jumping a little better. Urano only found the exciting All Cascade half-a-length too good on his first start for Willie Mullins at Thurles 26 days ago and he looks sure to be in the mix again, while Notable Graduate and promising pointers, Grey Monk and Born In Fire, complete the shortlist.
A potentially high-class maiden hurdle and slight preference is for Dermot Weld's hurdling newcomer EXPANDING UNIVERSE. The five-year-old was impressive when winning on his second bumper start at Fairyhouse in October (runner-up has subsequently franked the form) and the master of Rosewell will have left nothing to chance in terms of schooling sessions prior to this first run over hurdles. Anonis commands respect on his hurdling bow after readily winning what looked a red hot Cheltenham bumper last month, while The Paparrazi Kid and Operating add further spice to the race.
Useful Flat performer OUR CONOR hasn't put a foot wrong in both starts over hurdles thus far and, with further improvement on the cards, he is fancied to complete the hat-trick this afternoon. Blood Cotil could barely have won any easier on his first start for these connections at Fairyhouse last month and, although this assignment is a fair bit tougher, he rates a very exciting prospect and ought to figure prominently here, while Stocktons Wing was only 2 1/2-lengths behind the selection latest and has place claims once again.
Oliver McKiernan's in-form gelding HAPPY NEW YEAR edges the vote in what looks a fiercely competitive handicap. He has impressively notched up three consecutive wins in recent weeks and won with enough in hand at Punchestown last time to suggest that he can defy a further 8lb rise in the weights. Blazing Sonnet has been knocking on the door and seems sure to figure prominently once again, while Force Of Habit and Tipperary maiden hurdle winner Mobile Sizer make up the shortlist.
A few look to have chances here so LEAD KINDLY LIGHT receives what is only a tentative vote. The eight-year-old produced a career best performance when landing a similarly competitive handicap at Fairyhouse most recently and a 7lb rise may not be enough to stop her winning again if she arrives here in the same mood. The hat-trick seeking Instant Impacked looks an obvious danger, while Satu, Tadhg and Jacksonslady have all been in decent form recently and make up the ingredients for a spicy contest.
A mouth watering contest despite just five runners going to post. Oscars Well was the best hurdler in this line-up by some way and, barring an early fall at Punchestown two runs ago, he has done little wrong in three chase starts to date, while Benefficient cannot be taken lightly following his cracking effort in a Grade 2 event at Newbury last time. The one that they all have to beat, however, looks to be ARVIKA LIGEONNIERE. It was one of the performances of the season so far when he readily made all in the Grade 1 Drinmore Chase at Fairyhouse earlier this month and it's difficult to see anything getting near him if he's in that sort of mood again today.
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