Leopardstown – Monday 7th March

The countdown is on to the big four days starting next week but there is still time to watch the day by day racing and it was good to record a small profit yesterday at Leopardstown. It took a lot of huffing and puffing but some good placed selections edged us over the line, and we are returning to the Dublin venue today in search of some more winners. It might be tricky though, as the handicaps look fiercely competitive so best of luck in trying to unlock the magic answers. 

The 2.35 race is the first race I’ll be covering and by far the shortest price horse I’ll be siding with today, in the shape of Glengouly for the all conquering Willie Mullins stable. Having been a shade expensive to follow in bumpers, Glengouly got the job done on his second start over hurdles at Gowran Park, when perhaps being a slightly reluctant hero under Jody Townend. He comes back down in trip today, which should suit this free going horse, and if jumping a bit better on this occasion – he should take all the beating. There are rivals here that boast some good form, but Glengouly is perhaps open to more improvement then we have seen thus far. At a best price of 9/4 with Boylesports, he should be backed. 

The 3.10 race is the 2m handicap hurdle and this looks a mouthwatering handicap for those that love trying to solve the biggest of puzzles. As a result, I am happy to throw two darts at the board and I’m doing so firstly with Golden Spear, who looks to have a great chance in this with his optimum conditions today. Golden Spear was once a very classy horse and despite tumbling down the weights in recent years, he posted a sound effort in second at Naas last time out, which showed that this mark is certainly within reach even at the ripe age of 11. Liam McKenna takes a useful four pounds off the back of this top weight and Tony Martin has enjoyed a lot of luck with his handicap hurdles around this track this season. At a price of 13/2 with SkyBet – who are offering 6 places, he should be backed each way. 

One can’t go without backing the well found Na Caith Tobac in this race also, with his favored conditions looking likely to play a good chance in getting this horse to return to something like his best form. It takes a brave man to go in on this horse, with no more than five duck eggs in a row against his name on the form book, but he should be better than that and previous form would tell us that he can spring at a price. I am slightly disappointed that I have missed some of the very fancy early prices about this horse, but the money around may signal a vote of confidence that he should run well. At 10/1 with SkyBet, he should also be backed each way. 

The 3.45 race is the 3m handicap hurdle for horses rated between 80-109 and this looks an equally tricky affair. There are horses at the top of the market such as Siberian Star and Round the Buoy – who represent obvious claims, but I am going to side with a horse at a wild price in this. Whenurgoodurgood lives up to his name with his ability, but he doesn’t always show himself to his best. He did win a few starts back at Wexford on good ground over 3 miles and since then he has not been faced with optimum conditions. He ran a decent race last time out when sixth over 2 miles though and he should be able to improve off that effort. However, this is his ideal conditions and the drying ground will be right up his street, and at a mad price – he is worth a tentative each way poke. At a price of 40/1 with Paddy Power, who are offering 5 places, I’m backing him each way. 

The final selection of the day comes in the Qualified Rider Handicap Chase over 2m5f at 4.50. I had heartbreak in this exact race last year as Diggin Deep looked like he was coming to win his race before capsizing at the last. I am a forgiving man though, and with similar conditions in his favor, he might well be the horse to make in this race. He ran a superb race in this last year off the back of an absence and the better ground will be right up his street. Aaron Fahey, who is the young man riding him, gets on quite well with this horse and he is only two pounds above his mark in this race last year and his last winning mark. I think there is a lot going for him on this occasion, and I am willing to take a chance he returns back at his best. At a price of 14/1 with Bet365, who are offering 5 places, he should be backed each way.