Race 1
The opening
race on a card dripping with quality on Saturday at Leopardstown is a 22f Grade
1 Novice Hurdle. 16 will line up at the start and the ground is forecast to be
good to yielding on the hurdle course. At a nice each way price Defi Bleu looks
interesting for Elliott, Russell and Gigginstown.
Defi Bleu scoring in good style at Navan. |
STEVOS’ SELECTION: DEFI BLEU E/W
@ 16/1 NB
Race 2
Apple’s
Jade is all the rage for the Irish Champion Hurdle after her exhilarating performance
here last time out. However, that was over 3 miles and she may not get such an
easy lead today. The drop back in trip has to rate as a huge worry and her last
run over 16f in 2016 saw her beaten by Rashaan. At odds of 11/10 she looks too
short.
I think
that Apple’s Jade is worth taking on with last year’s Champion Hurdle runner
up, Melon. He has yet to reproduce the form of that run at Cheltenham since,
but he didn’t shape badly here over Xmas. That was his first run back so he should
be a lot fitter now and this is his optimum trip. At odds of 11/4 Melon could
upset the applecart and he is the pick.
STEVOS’ SELECTION: MELON WIN @ 11/4
Race 3
A big
field of 19 horses will go to post for this ultra competitive 16f handicap
hurdle. Charles’ Byrnes progressive 7yo Wonder Laish is the current market
leader at odds of just 9/2. He has won his last two, but he is up to a mark of
144 now and if connections are planning a trip to Cheltenham they won’t want his
handicap mark getting another bump. One horse who could do with going up a
couple of pounds to guarantee a run at Cheltenham is Ivanovich Gorbatov.
Ivanovich Gorbatov is extremely well handicapped. |
STEVOS’ SELECTION: IVANOVICH GORBATOV
E/W @ 50/1
Race 4
No opinion
on this bumper. No bet.
STEVOS’ SELECTION: NO BET
Race 5
The unseasonal
good weather and quick ground means that only six will line up for the 17f
Grade 1 Dublin Chase. It is a stacked field though, and a case can be made for
most of them. Min is the hot favourite at 4/7 and he should win. However, he
isn’t always the most reliable and I wouldn’t be steaming in at such a skinny
price.
Min and Simply Ned lock horns again. |
STEVOS’ SELECTION: SIMPLY NED E/W
@ 15/2 NAP
Race 6
The Irish
Arkle Novice Chase over 17f is the penultimate race on the card at
Leopardstown. This has attracted a field of 8 runners so at least this one will
be three places each way. Le Richebourg impressed a lot of shrewd judges with
the manner of his win here last time and he is a worthy looking favourite at
15/8. English raider Knocknauss chased home the mightily impressive Master
Dinos last time and he could be a danger at odds of 11/4.
However,
I am keen on the chances of a 16/1 shot for each way purposes and Articulum
could go well for Terence O’Brien and David Mullins. This relatively lightly
raced 9yo has taken a while to show his best, but he was very impressive when
beating Campeador easily last time. He will enjoy the ground and though he is a
9yo there could be more to come now his trainer has found the key to him. At
odds of 16/1 Articulum is the each way pick.
STEVOS’ SELECTION: ARTICULUM E/W
@ 16/1
Race 7
The closing
race on the card is a 17f handicap chase with a field of 15. The one I like in this
is R’evelyn Pleasure for Sean O’Brien and Donagh Meyler. This fella has been
transformed since going chasing and he has won two of his last three over
fences. He lowered the colours of Agent Boru last time and he beat Monatomic by
3L two starts back.
Chasing has been the making of R'evelyn Pleasure. |
STEVOS’ SELECTION: R’EVELYN
PLEASURE E/W @ 14/1
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