The lads on From The Horse’s Mouth got stuck into a quality Paddy Power sponsored card at Leopardstown on Sunday. Ruby Walsh, Paddy Power and Frank Hickey were joined by journalist & broadcaster Lydia Hislop to take a look at the day’s action.
Here’s our team’s top tips from the pod to point you in the right direction.
Lep’town 12:35 – Ruby – Klassical Dream
We’ve been looking forward to Klassical Dream’s chasing debut for a while now and this race has been picked out for him for a while. He’s a lot of jumping done at home and is in good form.
He likes to get on with his job and is brave and accurate. We’re very happy with the former Supreme Novice Hurdle winner. He could be my bet of the day.
Lep’town 13:45 – Ruby – Appreciate It
This is a cracking novices’ hurdle and it looks a match between Ballyadam and Appreciate It. If you’re a Willie Mullins fan you’re with Appreciate It – like I am – and if you’re on Gordon Elliott’s side than Ballyadam is for you. This is a proper race.
They were both really good bumper horses last season and Ballyadam is two from two over hurdles. I’m a fan of Appreciate It but would be wary of Ballyadam. Keskonrisk was very good on his debut too and it looks a race to savour between the market leaders.
Lep’town 13:45 Frank – Keskonrisk (nap)
Appreciate It’s win at Cork has been franked as the second’s gone and bolted up at Cork since. I am really excited to see Keskonrisk race, I think he’s gone under the radar. He won despite everything going wrong for him at Fairyhouse.
Of the two at the top of the betting I prefer Apprecite It. I’m not bound to Ballyadam at all and I think Appreciate It will beat him. But Keskonrisk, I really like him and I wouldn’t be surprised if he beat the two of them.
Lep’town 14:20 – Ruby – Master McShee
If the ground stays dry, then Hybery has a chance. Of the others, Master McShee was second to Appreciate It in a maiden hurdle in November and then ran out a very convincing winner of a maiden hurdle in Cork earlier this month. It’s a brave move going straight into a handicap so soon afterwards, but he could be well in.
Lep’town 14:55 – Ruby – Castlebawn West
Willie Mullins saddles one of the market leaders in Castlebawn West, who was third behind Daly Tiger and Tornado Flyer at Punchestown recently and has form at Leopardstown. He carries top weight and the like of Minella Times who has snuck in at the bottom will get plenty of weight off him.
Dunvegan is classy but has to prove he stays the 3m trip but is one for the short-list. It’s just a typical Paddy Power Chase and a case can be make for most of the 22 runners. I wouldn’t put anyone off Castlebawn West.
Lep’town 14:55 – Frank – Ten Ten
The one I thought was a bit interesting is Ten Ten. Some decent form last year, won at Navan by four and a half lengths. I thought he caught the eye over hurdles the last day at Navan which screamed of prep for here. I’m sure 137 is a mark that’s very workable for him. At the price Ten Ten is very interesting.
Lep’town 14:55 – Paddy – Captain CJ
I find this race so hard to make head or tail of. I think there’s so many in here, JP McManus has about 5,000 runners as usual so I just think Captain CJ might do it. He’s a tough, seasoned performer.
Lep’town 15:30 – Ruby – Reality Cheque
I was disappointed when Reality Cheque got beaten on debut at Fairyhouse by Highland Charge. There was very little in it that day and I’m hopeful Reality Cheque can recoup my losses – let alone anyone else’s – in the final on Sunday.
Tips for Leopardstown on Sunday
12:35 – Ruby – Klassical Dream
13:45 – Ruby – Appreciate It
13:45 – Frank – Keskonrisk (NAP)
14:20 – Ruby – Master McShee
14:55 – Ruby – Castlebawn West
14:55 – Frank – Ten Ten
14:55 – Paddy – Captain CJ
15:30 – Ruby – Reality Cheque
More tips for Sunday
- Matt Chapman’s best bets for Sunday’s ITV races
- 3 best bets and an each way play at Limerick on Sunday
- Mick Fitzgerald’s top picks for Sunday’s ITV races
- Paul Jacobs’ value picks for Sunday’s TV racing
- Timeform’s 7 slick picks at Leopardstown on Sunday
- Ruby Walsh’s 9 best bets at Leopardstown & Limerick on Sunday
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