Very much worth the wait with fantastic fare at Leopardstown today including four Grade 1s and loads of possible Festival pointers. Firstly however, two pertinent questions to be pondered (whilst trekking around the M50), How will the recent rain affect matters? and will the Mullins team repeat recent heroics?
The race of the day is the Novice Hurdle where Zaidpour attempts to redeem his record in a hot contest replete with likely sorts including Hidden Universe, Shot from the Hip and the progressive Oscars Well. I like the latter but he may be better over further and the favourite should win on his way to the Supreme.
The feature race (Hennessy Gold Cup) lacks a true Gold Cup contender and has been weakened since Sunday (Pride of Dulcote and Cooldine absent), but is nevertheless an interesting contest. Joncol on the heavy going is the most likely winner but looks a bit short at 6/4.
The afternoon's most intriguing runner is Mikael D'Haguenet, also on a retrieval mission. A top class animal, it would be great to see him win, en route to challenge Time For Rupert in March.The Juvenile Hurdle looks substandard but former Stoute inmate, Maxim Gorky might be worth watching.
All in all, a cracking card and for a bet, against my best intentions, going to have a look at Silver Friend in the handicap hurdle.
The racing is equally compelling across the water with the Totesport Trophy at Newbury, the highlight. An ultra competitive contest, where Walkon looks best of the main contenders. However going to proffer two outsiders for a bit of value, Sweet my Lord and Washington Irving. The Henderson brigades are out in force and looking forward to seeing how Riverside Theatre, Finian's Rainbow, Solix/Soldation and Kid Cassidy/Oasis Knight run.
enjoy and best of luck....
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