Leopardstown & Limerick – Wednesday 29th December

It was a needed change in form today from Limerick as two nice priced winners transformed us to a good day of the tipping points. Wins from both Gatsby Grey at 6/1 and Itsnotinit at 15/2 were enough to keep punters happy and put us in good profit for the day. It is now a case of trying to finish off the four days in style and we will again be looking forward to the racing at both Leopardstown and Limerick to try and procure a winner or two. 

Starting at Leopardstown and there first race of the day is the 12.00 Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Chase and is often an open race. I am backing a winner from this card last year in Millen to One, who could well have been laid out with this race in mind having ran in a couple of beginners chases. He then went on to finish third on handicap debut over fences over an inadequate 2 miles last time out and tackles this trip for the first time over fences in handicap company. There has been early money around for this horse, and I was very close to being able to get 10/1 on Bet365, but those odds have quickly been slashed and he is now a best price of 6/1, with that bookmaker. With Bet365 paying out five places, he is an each way play. 

The 1.45 race is the first Grade One on the card and the Neville Hotels Novice Chase over 3 miles doesn’t look like a vintage renewal of the race. Last year’s Cheltenham winner, Vanillier, tops the betting alongside Run Wild Fred and it’s the latter who I’ll be siding with after his demolition job in the Troytown handicap Chase last time out. They figured out how to ride him that day and the point and shoot style worked a charm and got him a rating of 159. With that rating in mind, he has to go for this type of race and he brings a wealth of experience to the table. I am hoping he can put that experience to good use and adopt similar tactics tomorrow. At 11/4 with Paddy Power, I make him a bet. 

The 2.55 race is the final handicap of the week at Leopardstown and this novice handicap hurdle is no easier than any of these types of races we have seen throughout the week. I am firing the two bullets at this race, with the first being Stumptown for Gavin Cromwell. Cromwell’s horses have been running well all week and this horse looks a very interesting handicap newcomer after winning his maiden hurdle on rules bow. He does lack experience for a race of this nature but on the flip side of that, he brings an unexposed element some would only dream of in this division. He could be better than this opening mark. At 5/1 with Paddy Power, who pay out six places, he has not been missed in the market – but is a fascinating contender. 

However, given the way he won two starts back – it seems remiss not to have a bet also on Good Time Jonny, who is back in calmer waters than his exploit over to Cheltenham last time out. That did not work out as planned, as jumping errors prevented him from getting involved at the business end, but he is still essentially well handicapped on plenty of his best form. He does come into this race with a bit of a point to prove, but he brings a similar profile to the stablemate of his, Belgoprince – who was narrowly touched off earlier in the week. Paddy Power have him as a 9/1 shot, which seems appealing each way. 

I only make the trip down to Limerick tomorrow for one horse and that comes in the 2.05 race, which is a rated novice hurdle over 2m. I have been hopeful of the return of Harveys Quay for a few weeks now, especially after winning at a hack canter last time out around Clonmel. He was not missed by the assessor, who has raised him all but a stone for that effort, but he should have a lot more to come. He is in a tougher race this time out and has to shoulder top weight, but Mark Walsh has made the trip down to Limerick to get the leg up and he looks like one of his likelier rides of the day. At a best price of 7/2 with Bet365, I am hoping he finishes the week off well.