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Lepardstown Christmas festival, day four betting tips and odds
Gerard Delahunty / 28 December 2009 Free Bet View Market
It's a busy day on Tuesday at Leopardstown with the Lexus now rescheduled.
" A chance is taken here with Jumbo Rio who has amassed an impressive array of form-figures over hurdles and goes well at the track."
The rescheduled Lexus Chase now shares top billing at Leopardstown on Tuesday. Joncol doesn't convince yet as a stayer and I would prefer to watch him here to find out. Cooldine has to overcome an eight-month absence in this his first open Grade 1 race. Therefore What A Friend looks the pick of the market-leaders with Money Trix a likeable outsider.
Solwhit bids to regain the winning thread in the December Festival Hurdle. However, his price looks to be short here and in that sense he compares unfavourably, in particular, to Sublimity who both finished ahead of him last time at Newcastle and won this race last year. A chance is taken here with Jumbo Rio who has amassed an impressive array of form-figures over hurdles and goes well at the track. Four year olds have a good record in this race, from few runners, with Won In The Dark a close second last year and Golden Cross a 66/1 winner six years ago.
If he can stand up, Scavenger (perhaps that the race is not at Thurles is a positive) will be a prime contender in the Opportunity Handicap Chase. Saddlers Storm ran a promising race at Navan last time and this unexposed runner has the relatively experienced Philip Enright in the saddle. At a likely value price, the in-form Tiernan's Terror can make a virtue of experience.
Fen Game has run well in handicaps at each of the past two Leopardstown Christmas Festivals and, while he is a couple of lbs wrong with a few of his rivals on the terms of the Paddy Fitzpatrick Memorial Hurdle (Rated 123 or less), this looks a good opportunity for him to gain a first win in nearly two years. Sweet Wake is officially the best horse in the race but it is years now since he has produced any worthwhile form. New Phase returns from an eight-month break and it may be that Uncle Tom Cobley, who travelled well for a long way at Thurles last time, will prove the selection's toughest rival.
In the Beginners Chase the well-touted Jessies Dream and Tony Martin's Mourne Rambler (a half-brother to Ground Ball and Mr Pointment, so certainly bred for the job) debut over the bigger obstacles. However, those with similar hurdles class but some chasing experience, namely Sam Adams and Zaarito, have to be preferred on this occasion. Colm Murphy's runner's joust last time with Captain Cee Bee at Naas looks all the more meritorious now after that one's unfortunate last-fence exit in a Grade 1 on Saturday and Zaarito can complement the form in turn here.
Voler La Vedette's appearance in the Mares' Hurdle is doubly disappointing; it would have been exciting had she been declared instead for the December Festival Hurdle and she renders this race uncompetitive. Having thrashed subsequent dual Grade 1 winner Go Native last time, the daughter of King's Theatre would appear to have little to fear back in her won gender-group.
Acapulco will shape the market in the maiden hurdle. This Listed-placed ex-Ballydoyle Flat racer has hurdling experience, having finished second on both his Jumps starts to date. However, he is opposed with multiple bumper winner Start Me Up, who can improve (particularly in his jumping) from his second placing to Hugo De Vindecy at Punchestown last month.
Let's spend 10 points:
Fen Game 3pts win
What A Friend 2pts win
Jumbo Rio 1pt each-way
Zaarito 1pt win
Tiernan's Terror ½ pt each-way
Start Me Up 1pt win
