Matt Chapman’s Sunday ITV Racing tips
13:40 Leopardstown – Redemption Day (Each-Way)
13:55 Musselburgh – Asta La Pasta
14:10 Leopardstown – Gaelic Warrior
14:25 Musselburgh – Surrey Quest
14:45 Leopardstown – Horantzau d’Airy (Each-Way)
15:00 Musselburgh – Top Man Tom
15:20 Leopardstown – State Man
15:35 Musselburgh – Teddy Blue
*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.
13:40 Leopardstown – Redemption Day (Each-Way)
ITV Racing is back with an Irish treat on Sunday with action from Leopardstown and Musselburgh starting here with a Grade 1 novice hurdle over 2m. Kopek des Bordes is the one to beat, but I’m happy to play REDEMPTION DAY eachway for Willie and Danny Mullins. The Piunchestown Grade 1 bumper hero was a major flop on hurdling debut at this track in December. He’s getting on in years, but surely has miles more ability than that effort suggested, and the hood is back on. I’ll chance a few quid eachway.
13:55 Musselburgh – Asta La Pasta
A novices’ limited handicap chase over an extended 2m4f. ASTA LA PASTA has ran well in defeat of late, and while up another 2lb for a loss last time, he might still be able to get back to winning ways. Leader in the Park turned him over at Kempton, but he kept on well that day, and this is not the most competitive race ever. Dan Skelton trains with his brother Harry on top.
14:10 Leopardstown – Gaelic Warrior
The Grade 1 Dublin Chase over 2m1f. GAELIC WARRIOR was turned over by the re-opposing Solness on seasonal debut, but the latter was super race fit, and it’s not hard to imagine a change in form here. My selection will wear a first time hood, and while we know the Arkle hero is better going right-handed, he’s clearly capable of going this way around as well. He’s basically the best horse in the race. Paul Townend takes the ride for Willie Mullins.
14:25 Musselburgh – Surrey Quest
The Edinburgh National Handicap Chase over nearly 4m. A big chance for SURREY QUEST who likes some Scottish air! Toby Lawes trains the eight-year-old who was second in the Scottish National last year and returned this term in the same position at Cheltenham. I fancied him at Newbury last time, but annoyingly he unseated the rider. Usually his jumping is fine so I think it was just a one off. A mark of 139 is workable, and while he’s got a high racing weight, he should be able to cope in a contest which he’s easily good enough to land.
14:45 Leopardstown – Horantzau d’Airy (Each-Way)
Now a competitive Grade 3 handicap chase over an extended 2m5f. HORANTZOU D’AIRY was never placed to challenge when behind the re-opposing Pinkerton in a 3m contest last time, but I suspect he will be much closer to the finishing action here. The eight-year-old has not won since a minor Clonmel success in April last year, but has run one or two big races handicapping, including when second at Listowel in a big field off a mark of 141. He’s to 146 here and I will back him eachway for Willie Mullins and Rich Ricci.
15:00 Musselburgh – Top Man Tom
A handicap hurdle over 3m. TOP MAN TOM has improved a lot since being stepped up in distance, and while class wise this is tougher, he has no weight to carry under Danny McMenamin for Sandy Thompson. That’s important as from what we know he will try and skip along on the front end. The great thing is with him he started at the bottom end of the handicap, scoring off 98 and 104 at this track. He’s on 115 now but it’s still a low rating and he just seems to be getting his act together.
15:20 Leopardstown – State Man
The feature race of the day in the Grade 1 Irish Champion Hurdle over 2m. On paper a match between STATE MAN and Lossiemouth, and while the former has been stuffed on both races this term and was thrashed when last seen, I will give him one more chance with Paul Townend on top and ditching the mare. State Man was very good in this last year when denying Bob Olinger and Impaire et Passe. What we do know is Willie Mullins is very likely to win!
15:35 Musselburgh – Teddy Blue
Here’s a handicap chase over 2m. TEDDY BLUE should be thrown in here off 124, and with blinkers on first time, connections seem to mean business. That all said, it’s impossible to know what to expect after some dismal form in recent efforts, including when beating two home at Cheltenham in November. He’s dropped another 3lb for that to 124 and this month last year he was fourth in a big field at Ascot off 131. If returning to form, he could easily outclass this field. Harry Derham trains and Paul O’Brien is on top.
So best of luck and pray for Yeeehaaas. You hear me, Paddy?
Matt Chapman’s ITV Racing tips
13:40 Leopardstown – Redemption Day (Each-Way)
13:55 Musselburgh – Asta La Pasta
14:10 Leopardstown – Gaelic Warrior
14:25 Musselburgh – Surrey Quest
14:45 Leopardstown – Horantzau d’Airy (Each-Way)
15:00 Musselburgh – Top Man Tom
15:20 Leopardstown – State Man
15:35 Musselburgh – Teddy Blue
*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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