Friday 9 September 2016

Testing Ground To Suit Toxic At Leopardstown

Hatton Cross ran a cracker for us earlier at Down Royal, but once again he bumped into a well treated rival. He stayed on well for 2nd, and kept to the same grade it won't be long until he gets his head back in front. Tomorrow is a cracking day of racing, with group races galore on both sides of the Irish Sea. However, the one I like goes in the 14f Premier Handicap at Leopardstown, and Highly Toxic will appreciate all the rain that has fallen on the South Dublin track during the last couple of days.

This regally bred 5yo son of Dalakhani has been difficult to place for his shrewd handler Pat Flynn, but he may well have found the ideal race for him tomorrow now that conditions have turned in his favour. The ground is currently described as good at Leopardstown and, even though the track is known for its good drainage, I would be astounded of there isn't soft in the description tomorrow. It has absolutely chucked it down all day and there are more showers forecast for Saturday.

Highly Toxic's best recent form has come on an easy surface, and indeed his only win came on soft ground in a Clonmel maiden last year. He has shown some more than useful form in defeat and he produced his two best runs of this season on the two occasions he encountered his favoured ground conditions. Back in June in the Cork Derby (12f soft), another Premier Handicap, he was an excellent front running 2nd beaten 2L off 89 by Alveena, who was beaten under 4L in a Group 2 next time out.

He then headed to the Curragh for another Premier Handicap (12f gd/yld), this time off 91, when he again tried to do it the hard way and he kept on well for 3rd. He was 3/4L behind Intisari in 2nd and he is a pound better off with that rival tomorrow. That horse is priced up at just 14/1, whereas Highly Toxic can be backed at 33s. The Flynn horse has the plum draw in stall 1, so hopefully he bounces out and makes a bold bid from the front. There is plenty of stamina in the dam side of his family, and he is bred along similar lines to Leger winner Conduit, so hopefully the trip won't be an issue. He looks worthy of a small each way bet and can outrun his odds of 33/1.

STEVOS' SELECTION: 4.35 LEOPARDSTOWN-HIGHLY TOXIC E/W 33/1

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