huge fields at Leopardstown

racing is back with a bang in Ireland with an excellent card at Leopardstown. However winners will not be easy to find, with some huge fields and horrible weather conditions- driving rain and gale force winds are forecast. Luck in running will be decisive in many races, notably in the valuable Pierce Hurdle, a 200,000 euros handicap over 2 miles at 15.20 CET with 30 runners on the inside track. Tony Martin is always a man to be feared in such races and saddles 2 runners, Psycho (Davy Russell) and Robin du Bois (Robbie Colgan), both of whom have been well-supported ante-post. Willie Mullins continues in great form and has 4 runners, best of whom should be Deutschland (Ruby Walsh) - who has twice fallen over fences- and Imperial Hills (Paul Townend), who has however has been bumped up 23 lbs by the handicapper for his last two easy wins. He now meets Edward O´Grady´ s Fen Game, who will be partnered by flat jockey Seamie Heffernan, who has a good record in hurdles races, on muc h worse terms. Fans of German breeding will be interested in Tommy Stack´s Wanango (Alan Crowe) and Mervyn Torrens´ Kronos (Andrew Thornton), a half-brother to Kamsin no less. Both will start at long odds, as will Heavenly Blues (Ted Walsh/ Gary Hutchinson) in the 3 mile handicap hurdle at 15.55. Although he is the class act here, he must give away huge amounts of weight. Another German-bred of interest is Tarlac (Boots and Slippers Madden) in the opening beginners chase at 13.45. The handicap chase over 2 miles 5 furlongs at 14.45 is also worth more than 100,000 euros to the winner and has attracted a selected field, but only 10 runners. Vic Venturi (Dessie Hughes/ Ian McCarthy) ran an excellent race at the Christmas meeting to be 2nd of 28 to the useful Wheresben. Finger on the Pulse (Tom Taaffe/ Barrie Geraghty) could start favourite here after running second to Noland last time, but third-placed Skys the Limit (Edward O´Grady/ Andrew McNamara) now meets him on much bette r terms, while top-weight Mister Top Notch (Davy Fitzgerald/ Ruby Walsh) is also not out of it.

Betting forecast:
1.Race: Majestic Concorde - Jaamid - Coscorrig
2.Race: Bohemian Lass - Financial Reward - Merchent Paddy
3.Race: Finger Onthe Pulse - Mister Top Notch - Vic Venturi
4.Race: Psycho - Robin Du Bois - Imperial Hills
5.Race: Rocco`S Hall - P`Tit Fute - Mourne Rambler
6.Race: Osirixamix - Slievecorragh - Nocturnal Knight
7.Race: Bunsen Burner - Blackstairmountain - Elegant Concorde