Friday’s Leopardstown tips
12:00 Sweet Will
12:35 Ballyburn
13:10 Risk Belle
13:45 Favori de Champdou
14:20 State Man
14:55 Waterford Whispers
15:25 Redemption Day
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
12:00 Sweet Will
Sweet Will had a productive time last season, winning on three occasions, but he failed to complete on his final two starts of the campaign and was also pulled-up on his return at Fairyhouse in October. However, he bounced back to form when, fitted with a hood and tongue tie, he finished runner-up at Fairyhouse earlier this month on his first start for Emmet Mullins (was previously with Gavin Cromwell). He impressed with how he went through that race, looking the most likely winner for much of the way, and he remains on a dangerous mark despite going up 4 lb in the weights (he’s won off a 12 lb higher mark over hurdles).
12:35 Ballyburn
This looks like a good opportunity for Ballyburn to get off the mark over hurdles. Ballyburn established himself as one of the best in the bumper division last season, winning both starts in style at Punchestown, and he shaped with plenty of promise when runner-up on his hurdling debut at Fairyhouse four weeks ago, chasing home a race-fit and potentially smart rival. He is entitled to improve for that experience and should benefit from this step up in trip.
13:10 Risk Belle
Risk Belle took a bit of time to find her feet for Willie Mullins last season but she was thriving by the end of the campaign, winning a valuable handicap at Fairyhouse in between running creditably in similarly competitive events at Cheltenham and Punchestown. She was favoured by the weights on her return in a Grade 3 at Fairyhouse four weeks ago but the style of her success suggests that she’s taken another step forward. She remains open to further improvement and, with the step back up in trip unlikely to pose a problem, she gets the vote to come out on top here.
13:45 Favori de Champdou
Favori de Champdou made an encouraging start over fences when runner-up behind Affordale Fury at Galway in October and he built on that promise to reverse the form and land the Grade 2 Florida Pearl Novice Chase at Punchestown last month. His task was made easier by Affordale Fury failing to give his running and by Flooring Porter hanging badly to his left, but it was still an impressive display from Favori de Champdou who jumped soundly and stayed on strongly to score by 14 lengths. He retains the potential to do better over fences and can strike in Grade 1 company.
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14:20 State Man
State Man was no match for Constitution Hill in the Champion Hurdle last season but he won his other four starts, all in Grade 1 company. State Man made the most of a good opportunity to win the Morgiana Hurdle for the second year in succession on his reappearance at Punchestown last month and he can also retain his Matheson Hurdle title, despite facing stiffer opposition this time from stablemate Impaire et Passe.
14:55 Waterford Whispers
Waterford Whispers has shown run-by-run improvement and has won both starts this season, landing a maiden hurdle at Galway before following up in a novice hurdle at Fairyhouse. Waterford Whispers relished the step up in trip at Fairyhouse last time, proving strong at the finish, and he remains open to further improvement when there’s an emphasis on stamina. He enters handicap company from a fair-looking opening mark and can complete the hat-trick.
15:25 Redemption Day
Redemption Day hasn’t run since the 2022 Punchestown Festival but his runner-up effort to Facile Vega there is clearly the best piece of form on offer and he sets a lofty standard. He looked an exciting sort a couple of seasons ago and is worth siding with to defy a lengthy absence.
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
Friday’s racing tips
12:00 Sweet Will
12:35 Ballyburn
13:10 Risk Belle
13:45 Favori de Champdou
14:20 State Man
14:55 Waterford Whispers
15:25 Redemption Day
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