Plenty of bubbles burst were burst on Thursday but we move on to Friday where Paddy Power sponsor the entire card at Leopardstown
We start with the Novice Chase at 13:10 and the return of the very exciting Chacun Pour Soi. The result will have a big bearing on the Champion Chase market at Cheltenham next March but today’s odds of 2/5 about the favourite won’t bring much Christmas cheer. A Plus Tard makes plenty of each-way appeal and if there was to be an upset, Henry de Bromhead’s runner may just be the one to do it.
Selection: A Plus Tard (each-way)
There was plenty of debate here on the jockey bookings for JP McManus’s eight horses in the Paddy Power Chase at 14.55 – answers on a postcard please. The legendary owner has eight runners in the race and it looks like Darragh O’Keeffe has got the plum ride on No Comment from the Philip Hobbs yard in the UK who heads the betting at around 15/2 ahead of another JP runner, Fitzhenry.
Paddy’s paying a massive 7 places in this contest and one who could be worth a sporting interest at 25/1 is Cap York for Noel Meade and Gigginstown House Stud. He lacks a bit of experience in these big-runner races, but his handicap mark might just compensate for that he could outrun his odds, especially with the extra places on offer.
Selection: Cap York (each-way)
There’s decent action in front of the TV cameras at Chepstow too, including the 13:35 Grade One Juvenile Hurdle. This race should give us a steer into the Triumph Hurdle market at Cheltenham next March, with Joseph O’Brien sending Cerberus over to take on the best of the British.
Cerberus was good when winning at Fairyhouse, but you can crib what he beat that day and we feel he is worth opposing. Tavus is the one we like here and rates a very good each-way bet. He beat Navajo Pass at Newcastle and that one subsequently franked the form strongly by winning a Grade 2 contest at Newcastle on his hurdling debut.
Selection: Tavus (each-way)
The Welsh Grand National at 14.50 is usually one of the most competitive races of the season, but this year there seems to be a lot of runners with little or no chance of winning.
It could pay to side with Yala Enki who was third in this race last year off a 1lb lower mark, to hit the places again at least. He needs to put a disappointing run the last day behind him. However, it would be no surprise if trainer Paul Nicholls had this race in mind for a while, after the switch from Venetia Williams’ yard. Paddy’s paying the first 5 home.
Selection: Yala Enki (each-way)
*Prices and entries correct at time of publishing
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