Recent entries in Leopardstown
Leopardstown Christmas festival betting tips, day three
Sean Murphy / 27 December 2009 Free Bet View Market
Cooldine wins the RSA Chase at Cheltenham.
"Cooldine really caught the eye at this venue last February when outstaying subsequent Cheltenham winner Forpaddytheplasterer over 2miles 5 furlongs."
The feature event on the card is the Lexus Chase and this sees the long awaited reappearance of the Sun Alliance winner Cooldine from the powerful Willie Mullins stable. He was a most impressive winner at Cheltenham and is currently seen as the only threat to the Paul Nicholl's stable winning yet another Gold Cup next March.
Cooldine really caught the eye at this venue last February when outstaying subsequent Cheltenham winner Forpaddytheplasterer over 2miles 5 furlongs. Welsh Grand National winner Notre Pere was a big disappointment in the Betfair chase at Haydock. His trainer Jim Dreaper could offer no explanation for the performance and it may be that he was still feeling the effects of his fall at Down Royal.
This thorough stayer will be a real danger put it if back to his best. The progressive Joncol from the Paul Nolan yard is the likely favourite after an impressive performance at Punchestown in early December. This is a further step up in class and it remains to be seen if he can improve sufficiently to score here. The two English raiders What a Friend and Money Trix are real dangers especially the Paul Nicholls runner who was second to the brilliant Denman in the Hennessy at Newbury.
Schindlers Hunt would prefer better ground but has top class form and cannot be discounted. Voy Por Estedes is a surprising runner and the former Champion Chaser is a doubtful stayer over this three mile trip on soft ground. Ruby Walsh has decided to stick with Cooldine and he gets the vote in what will be a real pointer towards the Gold Cup in March.
The Frank Knight Novice Chase which will see several potential Sun Alliance horses square up for this winners prize of €52,000. Catch Me is on a redemption mission for his supporters after his disappointing run in the Hatton Grace hurdle at Fairyhouse. He reverts to the larger obstacles again today and would be two from two over fences only for a fall at the last in Navan when he had the race at his mercy. Edward O Grady must believe that his future is over fences and he will be hard to beat in this race. Tony Mullins saddles former Cheltenham bumper favourite Aranleigh and he has to be a real danger after winning his last two races over fences. Pandorama is another novice that Noel Meade thinks a lot of and he is unbeaten over fences after winning his first two chases. Oscar Looby, Weapon's Amnesty and Whatuthink all have to be respected but I would favour Catch Me who is proven over this trip.
The Woodies DIY Christmas hurdle is a very competitive race and features the English raider Lie Forrit a winner of his last two races with the impressive display in the Pertemps qualifier at Newbury really catching the eye. The home challenge is strong led by Vic Venturi , Oscar Dan Dan and Ninetieth Minute.Vic Venturi put up a tremendous performance carrying top weight at Aintree in October when running out a five length winner over 3miles 2 furlongs. Oscar Dan Dan put up a career best display when just beating Ninetieth minute by a neck in the delayed Hattons Grace hurdle in early December. Ninetieth Minute gets a 4lb pull today and in theory should reverse the placings on that basis. Powerstation is ultra consistent but cannot get his head in front but may be one for the place money. That impressive display at Aintree tips the balance in favour of Vic Venturi and he gets the nod in a fascinating race.
