LEOPARDSTOWN 12.50 Handicap Hurdle - 2 miles 4 furlongs - 26 run - Yielding.

 

I have rarely seen a handicap hurdle race this deep in terms of potential winners, so I strongly suggest you go to 50% of usual stakes as I want to chase value at up to 6 enhanced places.

 

Indeed at prices ranging from 80/1 to 100/1 in the early Racing Post markets Crusin Susan @ 66/1  ; Swelltime and Rideau Canal both @ 100/1  are all race winners running at or below their winning marks and in what is likely to be a cavalry charge resembling rollerball, anything could happen and I will personally be having a quid each way and taking those sort of prices each way on each of those horses. 

 

I could make strong cases for several others and in a race of this type am happy to take on those at the head of the market especially less experienced types like Stay Gold, His Nibs, Lady Rose Hackett, those trying different trips like Giant Haystacks and Aurea Fortuna and Portalington who is on a 4 timer but clobbered with a 10lbs penalty. I took a long hard look at Heliko Conti, runner up in this race last year but on very different ground and Down Around (who is in the Tracker) Jolie Jewel, Dragons Pass and Voice of Reason who are all genuine dangers.

 

I'm quietly confident though that my top 4 rated will give us a good run for our reduced stakes.

 

COZONE is a Distance winner who has finally got back down to a winning mark and I will be very disappointed if he is not in the thick of the action at the business end of the race here. WINDING RIVER is back over hurdles and is also on a very appealing mark and if ready to run to previous hurdle form could go very close. PENNY JAR a three times winner in 2022 progressing from marks of 82 up to 96 has patiently waited to have a realistic mark once again and with clear signs of running in to form a mark of 108 with a 7lbs claim is close enough for me to rate its chances here. LADLAM is another with a very similar profile and under the radar. (Sean)

 

LEOPARDSTOWN 3.05 - Handicap Hurdle - 2 miles 7 and 1/2 furlongs - 23 run - Yielding

 

Binge Worth would be the one they all have to beat here and worth a WIN saver. 

 

I note that West Is Awake is in the TRACKER already and worth a smal £1 each way after being 5th in this race last year at 40/1 looks value. I will add Arion Soldier , Salvador Ziggy and King Alexander to my 2025 TRACKER after today and Staffordshire Knot is another to keep a close eye on. Good Time Jonny remains increasingly well handicapped and Tony Martin may see this as a real opportunity off a diminishing mark. Tranquil Sea is another who rated a genuine danger as does my 5th rated and therefore reserve TOOR KHOV, a bit of an eye catcher last time and still improving. Junior Rattler, Whatsavailable, Golden Temple and Tranquil Sea were also subject to lengthy consideration.

 

In addition to BINGE WORTH my next 3 rated are MAXI MAC GOLD who has proven stamina with a 3 mile win and visually impressive last time out, GOLD BULLION for De Bromhead was an impressive Maiden Hurdle winner, straight to Chasing but back here in a competitive Hurdle off what may be a very nice mark and FORTUNEDEFORTUNATA has a very similar profile and chance to Maxi Mac Gold (Sean)

 

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LIMERICK 2.50 - Handicap Hurdle 3 miles - 16 run - Soft

 

Lots in here with chances and the likes of The Story So Far, He's Dynamite; Dancingondaceiling were not lightly discarded. At 28/1 Street Value whose handicap mark is too high over Fences is very interesting off a reduced Hurdle mark and worth the obligatory £1 e/w if you want that side bet. I have added THe lOveley man who is upped in trip here to my 2025 TRACKER after today.

 

My top 3 rated though are GAYE WINNIE, certainly one of the lesser lights in the Elliott stable and one who will no doubt make a nice stock horse for a smaller stable in time, she's a slow improver and I think today is the day for that first win. PLAIN OR BATTERED is in the TRACKER and exceeded expectations on seasonal debut and a repeat of that run would take him very close here and JERK who looks a nice improver just got the nod for 3rd best rated over Jericho De Baune who might just need a bit more rain to be truly competitive (MG)

 

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LIMERICK 3.25 Handicap Hurdle - 2 miles 5 furlongs - 18 run - Soft

 

I'll take on Beggars Rock and Dancing After Dark who runs with a penalty, Crowsatedeapplepie is also running with a penalty after 3 good wins and may just be opposable off a new mark of 102. The likes of Tilloughna who we've tipped before who drops in trip here and Chefs Kiss, a long term prospect who I have added to my 2025 TRACKER would also be dangers.

 

My top 3 rated though are GRACE FARADAY a Course specialist who slipped up when in contention last time, DONNRUA DREAM a Course and Distance winner back hurdling off a nice mark that it has won from before at juicy each way odds and KINGS HALO a Course and Distance winner off a mark of 93 back to a mark of 96 and Danny Mullins is a notable booking. My 4th rated in the event of a non runner is Hangry an ex Flat horse who went in the notebook upped in trip last time (MG) 

 

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