Racing
Leopardstown Place 6 preview | 3rd February
13.20 – Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors Novice Hurdle
Willie Mullins has a fantastic record in this race and has an excellent chance of enhancing it this year with PREDATORS GOLD, who ran well to finish second in the Future Champions Novices’ Hurdle here over Christmas and is the choice of Paul Townend. His stablemates LOUGHGLYNN and I WILL BE BAIE, who are both unbeaten over hurdles, must also be respected.
Tips: PREDATORS GOLD, LOUGHGLYNN, I WILL BE BAIE
13.50 – McCann FitzGerald Spring Juvenile Hurdle
INTELLOTTO made the frame in all three starts on the flat prior to making an impressive hurdles debut over C&D in December. He could play a leading role now that he is stepping up in grade. Willie Mullins’ MAJBOROUGH is an interesting recruit who won his only previous start in France, and Mark Walsh takes the ride. STORM HEART is the choice of Paul Townend, who impressed on his hurdles debut and should be tough to beat.
Tips: INTELLOTTO, MAJBOROUGH, STORM HEART
14.25 – Goffs Irish Arkle Novice Chase
The banker of the day is the undefeated MARINE NATIONALE, who is expected to head into the Cheltenham Festival as one of the strongest favourites of the week. He beat Facile Vega comfortably in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle last season and looked a complete natural when successful on his chase debut. He cannot be opposed.
Tips: MARINE NATIONALE
15.00 – Race And Stay At Leopardstown Handicap Hurdle
SHANBALLY KID beat Monty’s Star in his second start in this sphere before finishing a solid eighth in the Albert Bartlett at last year’s Cheltenham Festival. He was beaten a long way on his chase debut but is of interest back over hurdles on his handicap debut. NINE GRACES is a consistent mare who has two wins and four placed efforts from six starts in this sphere. She has to be included, as do SEARCH FOR GLORY and YEATS STAR, who have the form to run well.
Tips: SHANBALLY KID, NINE GRACES, SEARCH FOR GLORY, YEATS STAR
15.35 – Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup
The Cheltenham Gold Cup winner, GALOPIN DES CHAMPS, returned to his brilliant best when scoring by a wide margin in the Savills Chase over Christmas and has an outstanding record at this course. He is the clear highest-rated runner in the field and is strongly fancied to turn the tables on Fastorslow. He should be extremely hard to beat and is expected to win this en route to potentially defending his title in March.
Tips: GALOPIN DES CHAMPS
16.10 – Ryanair Handicap Chase
MADARA won very nicely at Cheltenham when last seen, and it’s interesting to see this five-year-old make the trip to Ireland to contest this race with James Reveley booked to ride. He should run well, as should REBEL GOLD and GREY DIAMOND, who are eased in grade and could make the frame at decent odds.
Tips: MADARA, REBEL GOLD, GREY DIAMOND
