Racing
Leopardstown Place 6 preview | 4th February
12.40 – Irish Stallion Farms EBF Paddy Mullins Mares Handicap Hurdle (Listed)
FOXY GIRL, RISK BELLE, and top-weight SHECOULDBEANYTHING have already established good enough form at this sort of level or higher, so all three of them have respectable chances in the opener. Jack Kennedy will ride MEDIA NARANJA, so she can also be included at large odds.
Tips: FOXY GIRL, RISK BELLE, SHECOULDBEANYTHING, MEDIA NARANJA
13.10 – Ladbrokes Novice Chase (Grade 1)
Gaelic Warrior and FACT TO FILE are difficult to split, but preference is for the latter, who was so impressive over C&D last time. The former has looked fantastic over fences in two starts, with his latest form working out well, but the latter has the potential to become a high-class stayer in this sphere and gets the vote to emerge victorious under Mark Walsh.
Tips: FACT TO FILE
13.40 – Tattersalls Ireland 50th Derby Sale Novice Hurdle (Grade 1)
Willie Mullins’ Ballyburn comfortably beat a subsequent winner when last spotted, and if he does win, then he will probably be the favourite for the Supreme in March. However, FARREN GLORY is already proven at the highest level and looked set to win another Grade 1 race at Aintree, but for a late fall. He is taken to gain compensation and defeat the favourite.
Tips: FARREN GLORY
14.10 – Ladbrokes Dublin Chase (Grade 1)
EL FABIOLO is unsurprisingly the one to beat, who is the clear favourite for this race and the Champion Chase at Cheltenham. He won three Grade 1 races last season, including over C&D, and it would come as a major shock if he didn’t win this and win it well. He cannot be opposed.
Tips: EL FABIOLO
14.45 – Chanelle Pharma Irish Champion Hurdle (Grade 1)
STATE MAN won this impressively last year and has looked even better than last season in his two wins this campaign. His only defeat over hurdles, in all completed starts, was when he finished second to Constitution Hill. He has already beaten three of today’s rivals and should have too much natural pace for Bob Olinger.
Tips: STATE MAN
15.20 – O’Driscolls Irish Whiskey Leopardstown Handicap Chase (Grade 3)
Yet again, it’s Willie Mullins for me! CLASSIC GETAWAY impressed in his penultimate start at Thurles, and although he was turned over by a stablemate last time, this course should suit him, and an opening mark of 156 doesn’t seem overly harsh. JAMES DU BERLAIS caught the eye when he finished fourth in the Paddy Power Chase here last time and is the pick of Paul Townend.
Tips: CLASSIC GETAWAY, JAMES DU BERLAIS
