The second day of Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting takes place on Saturday, with Grade 1 action sustaining the festive feeling for days longer.
Matty Sutcliffe has taken a look through the card and has three best bets across the action, including two runners in top level company.
13:12 Leopardstown – Majborough 7/5 2pt WIN
Jumping continues to be something of an issue for Majborough, but as does the form of Mullins’ first time out this season and id expect Majborough to come on significantly for his second in the Hilly Way at Cork earlier this month.
He was impressive here in the Irish Arkle when a nine-length winner last season, and undoubtedly would’ve won the British equivalent had he not made a bad mistake at the second last.
He reversed that form with Only By Night when a 14-length winner at Punchestown, and I’d expect this classy gelding to make use of his fitness advantage over Marine Nationale provided his jumping passes the test this time.
13:47 Leopardstown – Talk The Talk 13/2 1pt WIN
Gordon Elliott and Willie Mullins have farmed this event in the last decade and both Le Divin Enfant and Skylight Hustle could prove tough to beat after putting a significant gap back to the second in their latest runs.
That said, Talk The Talk has already achieved more than that pair having taking his record over hurdles to two from two last time out in G3 company.
The son of Born To Sea travelled strongly throughout the contest behind the G1 Juvenile winner Murcia, and easily swept by her at the last, pulling seven lengths clear of the unbeaten I’m Slippy.
I like that he’s proven to come from off the pace unlike the market leaders, and that extra bit of experience may prove crucial in this competitive event.
2:37 Leopardstown – Lovely Hurling 7/2 1pt WIN
Kargese looks awfully short at 4/7 having been well beaten by Kala Conti on her chase debut at Cork earlier this month, and it may pay to take her on with Lovely Hurling who made a solid chase debut behind Supreme winner Kopek Des Bordes.
He was nursed into the race by Mark Walsh and nearly joined Kopek Des Bordes two out, but once the leader gained a significant advantage, Lovely Hurling was looked after by Mark Walsh for all he pulled nicely clear of the third there.
He wasn’t entirely disgraced when a sixteen length second to Final Demand in the G1 Champion Novices’ last season, and that was more than respectable given it was only his second start over hurdles.
He’s still entirely unexposed and given his two defeats over obstacles have come up against superior Grade One animals, he’s evidently a talented sort. I’d expect him to come on from that chase debut and there’s nothing of the calibre of Kopek Des Bordes in here, so he can rate the chief threat to Kargese.
FAQs
When were Matthew Sutcliffe’s Leopardstown tips published?
Matty Sutcliffe’s Leopardstown tips were published at 3pm on Friday 26 December.
Who is Matthew Sutcliffe?
Matthew Sutcliffe is GGs newest contributor, often providing a value angle for his tips. He writes weekly columns for the weekend’s racing, as well as taking aim at ante-post markets at the Cheltenham Festival.
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