Ireland today

Three N.H. meetings in Ireland today, including yesterday´s postponed Down Royal card. Main meeting is Leopardstown with two Grade One races. The Dial-a-Bet Chase over 2 miles 1 furlong at 14.25 CET has attracted a strong field, headed by Forpadydeplasterer (Tom Cooper/ Tony McCoy) and Tranquil Sea (Edward O´Grady/ Andrew McNamara), while Willie Mullins saddles two runners, Scotsirish with Ruby Walsh and Golden Silver with Paul Townend. The Future Champions Novice Hurdle at 14.55 is also a good event, with Fionnegas (Willie Mullins/ Ruby Walsh) attempting to defend an unbeaten record against such smart performers as Some Present (Tom Mullins/ Davy Russell) and Sweeps Hill (John Kiely/ McCoy), both of whom were behind Dunguib last time. The whole day is sponsored a bookmaker, so it is no surprise to see that the most valuable event is a handicap - the Paddy Power Chase over 3 miles at 16.05. With a maximum field of 28 runners, this is a lottery, but our short list includes Wil lkie Mullins´ two runners Dooners Gate (Walsh) and Pomme Tiepy (Townend) Parsons Pistol (Noel Meade/ Davy Condon) and Hoopy (Gordon Elliott/ Jason Maguire).

There are also large fields at the other Irish meetings. At Limerick, Willie Mullins can also be on the scorecard with Quadrillon at 14.05 and The Midnight Club at 16.50, both partnered by Emmett Mullins, while Sizing America (Andrew Lynch) can continue the trainer Harry de Bromhead´s good run in the handicap chase at 16.20. At Down Royal, Posh Bird (Iain Ferguson/ Andrew Thornton), beaten a short head last time, can take the handicap hurdle at 14.25, while Agus a Vic (P. Martin/ JJ Codd), one of Irelands top hunter-chasers, stands out in the 16.00 race.

Leopardstown - betting forecast:
1. Race: Sword Fish - Big Game Hunter - Loch Long
2. Race: Prince Of Fire - Milanette - Riverstown
3. Race: Forpadydeplasterer - Tranquil Sea - Golden Silver
4. Race: Some Present - Fionnegas - Sweeps Hill
5. Race: Mythical Prince - Back Me Up - Moskova
6. Race: Lochan Lacha - Dooneys Gate - Nycteos
7. Race: Lisrenny Lady - Some Target - Merchant Royal

Limerick - betting forecast:
1. Race: Midtown Boy - Better Times - Belord
2. Race: Quadrillon - Rubi Light - Magnanimity
3. Race: The Flying Dustman - Monaco Springs - Polar Call
4. Race: Watt A Diva - Bob Will Fix It - Club Oscar
5. Race: Special Token - Celtic Carol - Coonagh Cross
6. Race: Sizing America - Merry Cowboy - Hangover
7. Race: The Midnight Club - Prudent Honour - Beckett Rock

Down Royal - betting forecast:
1. Race: Falcon Island - The Equaliser - Miss Pepperpot
2. Race: Cool Dude Luke - The Hard Hat - Misala
3. Race: Posh Bird - Take A Shot - Mount Welcome
4. Race: Macs Mandalus - Sigma Lifestyle - Barcardero
5. Race: Saddlers Storm - Artic Island - Pipers Blaze
6. Race: Agus A Vic - Top Twig - Simonsberg
7. Race: Got Options - Lean Times - Dont Panic