* All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widget, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
13:15 Leopardstown – SIRE DU BERLAIS
ITV coverage starts Monday in Ireland with the Grade 1 Christmas Hurdle over 3m. SIRE DU BERLAIS looks like the one Irish challenger who might be able to serve it up to Paisley Park and Thyme Hill and should take some beating for Gordon Elliott and Mark Walsh. The Pertemps Final hero scored well on his return this term at Navan.
13:30 Catterick – THE RUSSIAN DOYEN
A tight handicap hurdle to sort out here over nearly 2m. THE RUSSIAN DOYEN had enough ability to finish fourth behind A Plus Tard in the Close Brothers Novices’ Handicap Chase at Cheltenham and while he’s over hurdles here if he is in that kind of form he might outclass this lot. Harry Cobden takes the ride for Colin Tizzard.
13:50 Leopardstown – ARCTIC LIGHT
Now a handicap hurdle over 2m4f. ARCTIC LIGHT could be chucked in here for Thomas Mullins and JP McManus. This is a horse who has mixed hurdling and chasing and he has been off a higher mark in his time. He returned with a good second over an inadequate trip at Cork and if anywhere near his best will take some stopping with 11st 4lb.
DON’T MISS
- CHECK OUT OUR BRAND NEW SNAZZY RACECARDS FOR EVERY SINGLE RACE TODAY
- … THEN GET ALL THE WINNERS BEFORE ANYONE ELSE WITH OUR FAST RESULTS PAGES
14:25 Leopardstown – DELTA WORK
Another Irish Grade 1 here with the Savills Chase over 3m. DELTA WORK was well beaten on his comeback at Down Royal but might have needed the race more than others. He stays strong and is talented, as a fifth in the Gold Cup shows. In a tough event has fine eachway claims for Gordon Elliott and Jack Kennedy.
14:45 Limerick – DREAM CONTI
A handicap chase over an extended 2m4f. This is tough with a load of horses who could suddenly burst into life. I’ll take a chance with DREAM CONTI who returned with a good third this season at Punchestown. He then pulled up at Navan after a mistake so I can forgive him that. He might have an eachway chance for Noel Meade and a jockey who takes off a useful 5lb.
15:00 Leopardstown – THE BIG GETAWAY
A beginners chase here over 2m5f. Not the best race on earth. No doubt the one I can’t wait to see, though, is THE BIG GETAWAY, who didn’t jump well at Navan on debut but who is built to be a chaser as a huge beast. He did well when third behind Envoi Allen in the Ballymore at Cheltenham and should be up to this for Willie Mullins.
Matt Chapman’s tips summary:
13:15 Leopardstown – Sire Du Berlais
13:30 Catterick – The Russian Doyen
13:50 Leopardstown – Arctic Light
14:25 Leopardstown – Delta Work
15:00 Leopardstown – The Big Getaway
READ MORE:
- Paddy Power’s Millionaire Chase: All you need to know about the MILLION quid New Year’s Day giveaway
- Horse Racing tips: Brendan Duke’s best bets at Leopardstown on Monday
- Paddy Power refunds on Irish & UK runners hit by Christmas travel ban
- Horse Racing tips: Timeform’s 3 top punts at Catterick on Monday
- Horse racing tips: Timeform’s 7 super picks at Leopardstown on Monday