Ruby Walsh’s Leopardstown Racing Tips
13:10 Gaelic Warrior
13:45 Romeo Coolio
15:00 Favori De Champdu (each-way)
*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.
13:10 Gaelic Warrior
The Paddy’s Reward Club Chase sees the return of last season’s Arkle winner, Gaelic Warrior, who will be ridden by Paddy Mullins. He was beaten at the Punchestown Festival by stablemate Il Etait Temps but that was at the end of a long, hard, season.
The shape of the race could be crucial. Found A Fifty likes to go forward, as does Gentleman De Mee and Solness. When we saw GAELIC WARRIOR at Cheltenham, you wondered if he would go straight or left-handed. He looked a hell of a lot more manageable or rideable with horses in front of him.
The 2m 1f distance at Leopardstown suits the stayer more than the speedster, which certainly ticks the box for him. The only worry is that he’s up against horses who have race fitness on their side.
But, he is the best horse in the race.
13:45 Romeo Coolio
Gordon Elliott’s charge, Romeo Coolio, was runner-up in the Cheltenham Festival Bumper to Jasmin De Vaux before finishing fifth to Redemption Day at the Punchestown Festival last May. He made a winning debut over hurdles when long odds on last month and was then beaten again at Fairyhouse.
Leopardstown will suit ROMEO COLLIO much more than Fairyhouse did. He just got beaten in a sprint there and could be the one to beat Bleu De Vassy. It’s impossible to know where Karniquet and Karafon are in the pecking order. They’ve both won two pretty run-of-the-mill maiden hurdles. Only time will tell.
But with the run at Fairyhouse under his belt, and if ridden more aggressively, Romeo Coolio could be hard to beat now.
15:00 Favori De Champdu (each-way)
The Paddy Power Chase is as competitive as always, but Favori De Champdu catches my eye at a big price. He hasn’t been since April when winning a Grade 3 Novice Chase by a neck from Donacheady Gale. He drops into handicap chase company for the first time and could outrun his odds for trainer Gordon Elliott.
Meetingofthewaters is 19lbs higher than when winning last season and Peter Smithers claims 7lbs off him from the mark off which he won last year’s race. He ran well in the Ultima behind Chianti Clasico and looked like he maybe didn’t get home in the Grand National behind I Am Maximus. However, he was going as well as anything turning in but got beaten by some 16 lengths.
Nick Rockett was disappointing in the Irish Grand National, then ran well at Sandown. Maybe those couple of runs under his belt will have helped him. Perceval Legallois seems to find one too good for him most days of his life.
Desertmore House could be of interest. He ran well in a Pertemps qualifier behind Francisco Rock at Punchestown. Life In The Park hasn’t lived up to what he looked like he might be able to do at the beginning of his career.
No strong opinion but maybe FAVORI DE CHAMPDU is slightly overpriced. He was a fair enough novice in his day and he beat Sandor Clegane in the Florida Pearl last year before disappointing at Christmas. There is a day in him; he’s not a bad horse.
Ruby Walsh’s Leopardstown Friday racing tips
13:10 Gaelic Warrior
13:45 Romeo Coolio
15:00 Favori De Champdu (each-way)
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at the time of publishing but subject to change.
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