Racing

Weekend Watch: Architect’s five to note

NARCISO HAS – Juvenile Hurdle (Leopardstown)

The Triumph Hurdle picture should be a lot clearer this Saturday, as the current market leader NARCISO HAS will face off against the reopposing Mange Tout, who sits fourth in the betting for the main event in March.

Willie Mullins’ charge was turned over by Gordon Elliott’s charge on stable/seasonal debut at Fairyhouse in November but will be fitter now following an easy Grade 2 success over track and trip last month.

With so much more to come, this JP McManus team-member can gain revenge on his old foe and head to Cheltenham with outstanding claims. I think he’s definitely one to keep an eye on this weekend.

SPINDLEBERRY – Irish Gold Cup (Leopardstown)

The Irish Gold Cup should be another fantastic renewal but one horse to keep note of is unbeaten chaser SPINDLEBERRY.

I know all eyes will be on Galopin Des Champs but this stablemate mare has won all five chase starts and is going from strength to strength. She has winning form under testing conditions and is worth her place in this grade.

She is more than likely going for the Mares’ Chase in March but this step up in trip is a shot to nothing, and if she did run well, connections may consider the Cheltenham Gold Cup (holds an entry).

Whatever the case, I am looking forward to seeing how she gets on in the feature race on Saturday. Don’t be surprised to see her go well.

KARGESE – Irish Arkle (Leopardstown)

Romeo Coolio and Kopek Des Bordes could cross paths again in the feature novice contest but don’t rule out KARGESE.

She was a high-class hurdler, and although she suffered a heavy defeat on chase debut, she made no mistake at this course last time out, winning by 14 lengths.

Her record here now reads two wins and a second and it’s possible she will either be given a good set up or be allowed to set her own fractions.

Her 7lb allowance will be a huge advantage, so I can see her giving the big two in the market a fright. She’s definitely got a chance.

SIXMILEBRIDGE – Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase (Sandown)

Over to Sandown, and in the big race on the card, I really like the claims of SIXMILEBRIDGE, especially if conditions are soft or worse. He is unbeaten in two chase starts and beat a top-class hurdler on his chase debut before returning as a 16-length winner at Cheltenham.

The seven-year-old has won six of his nine outings and won his only previous course start which came on debut. I think this race is tailor-made for him, so he’s quite a confident shout to give the favourite plenty to think about. Add him into your weekend notebook.

SOLNESS – Dublin Chase (Leopardstown)

On Sunday, more top-class racing comes from Ireland, and it’ll be interesting to see who takes this intriguing event.

SOLNESS is electric around this venue and has already taken the scalp of Marine Nationale over C&D three times, including in this race twelve months ago. Joseph O’Brien’s course specialist beat him again here last month and I just think he’s good value again this weekend.

This is technically his Champion Chase and I don’t know what more he needs to do to prove himself at this venue, so I’m keen to see if he can complete the Leopardstown big-race double two years on the trot.