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Jamie Smyth 13:50 Sandown – Hitman
Hitman ran a huge race when second to Allmankind at this course in December and looks the one to beat in what is a competitive Grade 1. That run was backed up by a good time and with the step up in trip and more testing ground both in his favour, he can take advantage of the 5yo weight allowance and see off Shan Blue who is the main danger on form.
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Conor Murphy 14:10 Leopardstown – Darver Star
Energumene is bound to be a tough nut to crack but he might have his hands full with plenty of pace in here. Franco De Port picked up the pieces over Christmas but I think with a quieter ride Darver Star is the one to be with. He was placed in a Champion Hurdle so his class isn’t to be questioned. He ran far better than the bare form last time after being ridden very aggressively. With a quieter ride here, I think he’s a huge player.
Allan Byrne 14:45 Leopardstown – The Shunter
A typically competitive handicap & 6 places to boot & I like the look of The Shunter for Emmet Mullins. He has been mixing it between hurdling & chasing since moving to Emmets & was last seen when an impressive & very well backed winner of the Greatwood at Cheltenham in November. He won that off 128 & it is interesting that Emmet goes straight into a competitive handicap chase like this & his mark here of 132 could have him well treated.
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Ryan McCue 14:45 Leopardstown – Entoucas
Entoucas has now had 4 starts over fences so I’m hoping he’ll have learnt enough in each one to give him every chance of winning this competitive handicap chase. He made mistakes late on last time at Fairyhouse but Mark Walsh wasn’t too hard on him once beaten suggesting there was more to come from him off this mark. It’s interesting that he retains the ride given JP McManus has another few interesting ones in the race and so he looks one with an obvious chance.
Niall O’ Reilly 15:50 Leopardstown – He’s A Hardy Bloke
He’s a Hardy Bloke seems to have improved significantly since the application of a tongue tie, and I reckon he can take another step forward here. He won easily at Cork last time over 2 miles, in a time that compared very well to Gentlemansgame (runs in the G1 Novice Hurdle) on the same card and a mark of 134 doesn’t look beyond him, with the race likely to set up well. We’re paying 6 places on this race, so he rates a decent EW bet.
Frank Hickey 16:25 Leopardstown – Kilcruit
This is a top class bumper but I think Kilcruit can lay down a marker and justify the early hype about him. Initially trained by Tony Mullins, Tony let slip at a Cheltenham preview last year that this Kilcruit was a proper horse and he did show promise on his debut when 2nd at Clonmel. He then switched to Willie Mullins and was extremely impressive when winning at Navan, barely coming off the bridle to win with any amount in hand. The third from that race came out and won at Leopardstown at Christmas to give that form some substance. I think he could take plenty of beating here.
Our traders’ NAPs
Jamie Smyth 13:50 Sandown – Hitman
Conor Murphy 14:10 Leopardstown – Darver Star
Allan Byrne 14:45 Leopardstown – The Shunter
Ryan McCue 14:45 Leopardstown – Entoucas
Niall O’ Reilly 15:50 Leopardstown – He’s A Hardy Bloke
Frank Hickey 16:25 Leopardstown – Kilcruit
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widget, while in-copy odds are accurate at time of publication but subject to change
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