Leopardstown Dublin Racing Festival Day 1

This Saturday and Sunday at Leopardstown there will be some of the finest national hunt horses on the planet on show. All the big Cheltenham contenders will be doing some fine tuning on what will likely be their final outing before the festival and if you are able, it is a meeting well worth going to. I have gone through the card with a fine tooth comb and you can check out my fancies for Day 1 below.

McManus and O'Brien could team up to good effect with Tower Bridge.

 Race 1

It is a case of straight in, no kissing at Leopardstown on Saturday with a Grade 1 to open proceedings. This 2m 6f Novices’ Hurdle has attracted a field of seven classy stayers and Dortmund Park is the 7/4 favourite after hosing up in a heavy ground novice at Thurles. He scored by 16L that day and on a line through the 3rd Discorama, who was 5L behind 144 rated Ex Patriot, the form looks solid.

However, at a much bigger price, I think Tower Bridge looks a fascinating contender for Joseph O’Brien and JJ Slevin. This son of High Chapparal has a very good flat pedigree, but he showed he had an aptitude for hurdling with a smashing run here over 20f last time out. He had to challenge widest of all and he met trouble in the home straight, but he finished with a wet sail for a close 4th. The extra two furlongs look sure to suit, and at odds of 40/1 he could surprise with a big run.

STEVOS’ SELECTION: TOWER BRIDGE E/W @ 40/1

Simply Ned looks overpriced for rematch with Min.

 Race 2

On the figures Yorkhill should win this 17f Grade 2 Chase quite comfortably, but as his last run showed he can be a difficult horse to predict. It is not often you see a horse that was beaten 59L last time out at even money, and it would take a brave punter to weigh in at that price on such a tricky customer. The massive drop back in trip to 17f from 24f looks sure to suit though, and if he is on a going day he will be hard to beat.

Yorkhill’s stable companion Min is next best in the betting at 5/2, and he needs to be a lot better than he was last time when demoted into 2nd here behind Simply Ned. Nicky Richards’ charge will be looking to follow up his win here last time, and I am surprised to see him priced up at 9s. He is best when produced late off a fast pace, and with Min, Yorkhill and Special Tiara in the field that looks a given. I think 9/1 is far too big for a horse with form figures of 1323 over this c&d and he is the each way suggestion.

STEVOS’ SELECTION: SIMPLY NED E/W @ 9/1

Race 3

Footpad looks impossible to oppose here and with just five runners this is not a betting heat for me.

Race 4

This 20 runner handicap chase looks a wide open renewal and a case can be made for any amount of them. When I browsed through the entries earlier this week Kilfenora caught my eye, and it is no surprise that the 16/1 about him has long gone. The JP McManus owned and Eddie Harty trained son of Yeats will be ridden by Slippers Madden, and at odds of 10/1 I think he has a right chance.

He sneaks in off a feather weight of just 9st 10lbs and he comes here on the back of an excellent effort on chase handicap debut behind Sizing Titanium at Navan when 3rd off 118 over 17f on heavy ground. He is 3lb higher here, but he is only a 6yo and there could be heaps more improvement to come. At odds of 10/1 I think he could be the one to beat.

STEVOS’ SELECTION: KILFENORA E/W @ 10/1 NAP
 

Mick Jazz looks well overpriced.

Race 5

I was at Leopardstown when Faugheen pulled up last time, and if you follow my Mybettingbonus tips you will know I was on Mick Jazz. The two lock horns again on Saturday in the Grade 1 Irish Champion Hurdle, and Faugheen is the 11/10 fav while Mick Jazz is as big as 14/1.

Faugheen is now a 10yo, and apart from Hurricane Fly there have been very few 2 mile hurdlers capable of competing at the highest level at that age. He has had a long injury lay-off too, so there are a lot of question marks about him. I think Mick Jazz has another big run in him at his optimum trip for Davy Russell and Gordon Elliott, and I will be keeping the faith and backing him each way.

STEVOS’ SELECTION: MICK JAZZ E/W @ 14/1

Race 6

With 29 horses going to post, this Grade B 2 mile handicap hurdle is right up my street. I am convinced that Tom Gibney’s lightly raced 7yo Agent Boru is better than his mark of 122, and his run here last time over 20f did nothing to convince me otherwise. He was posted a least 8 horses wide throughout but he led as they approached the 2nd last and he managed to hold on for a decent 5th.

His penultimate run at Fairyhouse is the main reason I fancy him today though. That 2 mile race was run at a good gallop and just as Agent Boru was finding his stride and starting to stay on he got squeezed out. He was switched and flew home for 5th, but I think with a clear run he might have won. If he can get a decent early position on the inner I think Jonathan Moore could get a right tune out of him, and at odds of 50/1 he has to be worth chancing e/w.

STEVOS’ SELECTION: AGENT BORU E/W @ 50/1 NB

Race 7

Bumpers aren’t really my cup of tea and I will likely be in a taxi en-route back to Stevos’ Towers by the time the race is off. No selection.