Daryl Carter has two selections for Sunday, with a duo of tips at Chepstow. Check out his choices below, alongside an exclusive Virgin Bet offer that provides new customers with £20 in free bets.
CAPODANNO – (1.20 Leopardstown, 1pt each-way – 8/1 Boylesport)
Galopin Des Champs is not taken lightly here, but CAPODANNO looks a favourable each-way price, and in the hope, all eight stand their ground, he is the offering. He chased home the smart Bob Olinger at Punchestown last time to be beaten just four lengths, but it’s the way he stayed on at the finish that suggested this longer trip and stiff finish will well suit him.
That inside track at Punchestown is tight enough, and today’s emphasis on stamina will suit him well. He may not have the class of a Gallopin Des Champs, but he is fast on the upgrade, and the most likely to turn over the favourite should things not go to plan.
BACK CAPODANNO AND GET £20 IN FREE BETS
BIRCHDALE – (2.25 Leopardstown, 1pt win – 6/1 bet365)
BIRCHDALE caught the eye with the way he travelled through a hot contest here at Christmas, but he has failed to see out 3m on that occasion, and the drop back in trip looks a good move. That run came in first-time cheek-pieces, and they are retained today, and in the hope he can take another step forward, he looks weighted to go well.
He carries bottom weight here from four pounds out of the handicap, and his jockey claims a further seven pounds. He won’t have many better opportunities to get off the mark over fences than this, and he has been tenderly handled since joining this yard, and this could have been the target.
BACK BIRCHDALE AND GET £20 IN FREE BETS
EL FABIOLO – (3.35 Leopardsown, 1pt win – 6/1 generally)
A chance is taken with EL FABIOLO despite him not being the choice of Paul Towned. Still, he is so unexposed and arrives on the back of a visually impressive performance. After that race, Willie Mullins’s comments, which suggested he is right up there with his previous winners (all rated in the high 150s), suggests he has a bright future. I am keen to take on Sir Gerhard, who didn’t impress me on his only hurdle start to date, and the market has him short enough.
BACK EL FABIOLO AND GET £20 IN FREE BETS
BALLYADAM – (4.10 Leopardstown, 1pt win – 20/1 generally)
BALLYADAM may have been out in the doldrums a bit with his recent efforts, but he is still a class act, and this handicap mark of 146 could underestimate his ability down into a handicap for the first time. Since second in the Supreme Novice Hurdle, his performances have been a little perplexing. Still, some can be forgiven – Aintree run could just be the end of season form, and his two chase starts are no reason to side against him over hurdles, and his latest run at Cheltenham, saw him finish tamely.
The addition of the tongue-tie looks a good move by connections, and that could explain his latest flop. He has run well here on several occasions, notably last term when he looked out of the ordinary when beating today’s favourite comfortably at Fairyhouse. He has not shown that same spark for Henry, but time is on his side, and Aiden Coleman flies over for the ride.
BACK BALLYADAM AND GET £20 IN FREE BETS
IN FROM THE COLD – (4:10pm Leopardstown, 0.5pts win – 33/1 generally)
Another handicap where low weights do well, so IN FROM THE COLD is another, I want to side with. A progressive five-year-old who is totally unexposed and rated 96 on the flat. He has shown up well in all three hurdles starts to date, scoring in his Maiden Hurdle at Wexford before bumping into Saint Felicien (3rd) when better than the bare result.
His latest run was full of promise at 40/1 behind Teahupoo and Quilixios on heavy ground. The return to a sounder surface is a positive over hurdles, and he could throw up a surprise.
BACK IN FROM THE COLD AND GET £20 IN FREE BETS
CHARLI PARCS – (4:10pm Leopardstown, 0.5pt win – 66/1 bet365)
JP runners have a great record in this race, and while there are a few to choose from, it normally pays to side with those carrying less than 10st12, and CHARLI PARCS fits that bill. It’s interesting that this is Mike O’Connor’s first ride for the yard and his five-pound claim effectively sees Charli Parcs running off a career-low handicap mark of 125. The jockey has been used by some shrewd yards in the past, including Emmet Mullins and the selection returns to the scene of his excellent victory for this yard off the back of a 440-day break.
He recorded an RPR of 145 and has been dropped 14lbs in the handicap in four runs since. That form is not one to take literally, but in his time in England, he was campaigned at a high level, including a good fourth off 144 in the Scottish Champion Hurdle back in the day. This is a bit punty, but he has been given a lot to do in his last three runs, and he is undoubtedly better than recording RPRS of 79 and 69, so a small win only bet is offered.
BACK CHARLI PARCS AND GET £20 IN FREE BETS
DARYL CARTER’S BEST BETS
CAPODANNO – (1.20 Leopardstown, 1pt each-way – 8/1 Boylesport)
BIRCHDALE – (2.25 Leopardstown, 1pt win – 6/1 bet365)
EL FABIOLO – (3.35 Leopardsown, 1pt win – 6/1 generally)
BALLYADAM – (4.10 Leopardstown, 1pt win – 20/1 generally)
IN FROM THE COLD – (4:10pm Leopardstown, 0.5pts win – 33/1 generally)
CHARLI PARCS – (4:10pm Leopardstown, 0.5pt win – 66/1 bet365)
Join Virgin Bet and Claim a Bet £10 – Get £20 Sign-Up Bonus
New members. £10 min deposit & bet on sportsbook, placed & settled at 1.5 min odds within 14 days of sign-up. Win part of E/W bets. 2 non-withdrawable £10 Free Bet Tokens: accept in 7 days, valid for 7 days from acceptance (ex. E/Ws & Multiples), stakes not returned. Click here for Rules & Exclusions. Bet Responsibly.