Sean Murphy / 22 January 2010 Free Bet View Market

"I like the look of Rick in the opening Maiden Hurdle. Hurdle experience should count in this race and Rick has decent form behind Quel Esprit and Western Leader at the end of last year."

Leopardstown has shown great foresight and this weekend will see two top class cards on Saturday and Sunday at the Foxrock venue. On Saturday we will see the rearranged card that was lost on 10th January featuring the MCR Hurdle which was won in controversial circumstances last year by Penny's Bill at [90.0] on Betfair.

This years renewal is as competitive as ever and they go 8/1 the field in this 30 runner minefield. I am a great believer in trends in these big handicaps and straight away I would dismiss any horse carrying 11 stone or more and look to proven soft ground performers as the going will be heavy. In addition, course form will be an advantage especially Course and Distance. I also feel that a horse that is up with the pace in this ground with 30 runners has to be given serious consideration. The first equation rules out just four runners but significantly this includes Thousand Stars from the all conquering Willie Mullins yard which is joint favourite at 8/1 in many books.

Carthalawn who was third in this race last year ticks all the boxes despite carrying 14lbs more this year. His run behind Go Native in particular catches the eye. Stevie Mac has won his last three races two of which were on heavy ground. He has a lovely racing weight of 10-0 and is the Racing Post's top rated horse in this race. Uncle Tom Cobley is another horse who fits the profile and is handicapped to reverse the form with Fen Game over course and distance at Christmas. A strong case could also be made for previous winner Spring the Que who came right back to form at Cork in December and I would not discount Gallant Light from the Jessica Harrington stable. In a tricky handicap my vote goes to Carthalawn with a small each way saver on Steviemac.

Other races on the card probably allow more betting opportunities. I like the look of Rick in the opening Maiden Hurdle. Hurdle experience should count in this race and Rick has decent form behind Quel Esprit and Western Leader at the end of last year. The Willie Mullins trained Skorcher is the likely favourite but is making his debut over hurdles and like the selection has a worrying sequence of place efforts after his name.

The MCR Novice Chase has only five runners but a case can be made for each one of them. The Michael Hourigan trained Dancing Tornado will be the favourite after his win at Limerick on St. Stephens Day. The form of this race was franked at Naas during the week by Oscar Looby. Coming from the Willie Mullins yard Apt Approach will also have his supporters but my selection would be Roberto Goldback. His defeat of Cousin Vinny at Punchestown was no fluke and he also has good form behind Arkle contender Osana.

Jaamid and Plaisir D'Estruval are the two to concentrate on in the Leopardstown handicap chase. This field is made up of exposed chasers such as Kings John Castle, Offshore Account and Southern Vic who have the longer term target of the Aintree Grand National next April in mind. Jaamid has had seven races around Leopardstown and has yet to reach the winners enclosure. However, he is very consistent and ran a cracker here on St. Stephens day behind the well supported Show Blessed. Plaisir D'Estruval gets the vote in this one after failing to get home over three miles here at the Christmas meeting. This step back in trip should suit him better as he has already won over 2m4F on this type of ground.

The Pertemps Cheltenham hurdle qualifier sees 19 goes to post in another difficult handicap. Badgerlaw was second here last year and I expect another good run from him. The Charlie Swan trained Boulavogue has some nice form lines and his Thurles run when behind Thyestes winner Whinstone Boy and Powerstation reads very well. He also has some good flat form when third behind the well touted Rites of Passage in the November handicap at this venue. His ability to stay 3 miles in testing conditions will have to be taken on trust but he looks well treated in this race. Another with an excellent chance is Maucaillou from the Paul Nolan yard. He has run well twice in Cheltenham before Christmas and one feels that he will be primed for this race.

The bumper completes the card and in this race we have eight runners who have yet to run under rules. The betting is always a solid guide in the bumper and special attention should be given to the Edward Hales trained Timesawastin. Hales has won this race three times in the last eight years and the booking of Nina Carberry suggests that the stable fancy this one.

Recommendations

Race 1: 1pt win Rick
Race 3: 3pts win Roberto Goldback
Race 4: 1pt e.w Plaisir D'Estruval
Race 5: 2pt e,w Carthalawn
½ pt e.w Steviemac

Race 6: 1pt e.w Maucaillou
½ pt e.w Boulavogue