Grade One races at Newbury and Leopardstown

The best race of the day is the Ryanair Hurdle at 14.25 CET at Leopardstown in which the two outstanding hurdlers Hurricane Fly (Willie Mullins/ Ruby Walsh) and Jezki (Jessica Harrington/ Tony McCoy) are set to clash for the sixth time. The Fly has won 20 Grade One races - an all-time record- and is unbeaten in 8 starts here, including this race which he has won 3 times and in which he defeated Jezki last year. He also defeated Jezki last time they met, but the latter won the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham and again at Punchestown. Hurricane Fly is now rising 11 but seems as good as ever and will also find the ground in his favour, but we fancy the younger horse this time.There are 5 more runners in the field, but it will be a shock if any of them can trouble the big two.
There are also 7 runners in the Grade One novice chase over 3 miles at 16.05, but this looks much more open. Gigginstown won both top races here yesterday and have another strong hand here with Don Poli (Mullins/ Bryan Cooper) and Very Wood (Noel Meade/ Davy Condon) engaged. Although the stable jockey is on the former, and he is preferred in the betting, we perversely go with Very Wood, as he is one of the very few guaranteed to stay the distance in these conditions.
Main event at Newbury is the Challow Novice Hurdle over 2 miles 5 furlongs at 15.10 with some smart prospects entered. Vyta du Roc (Nicky Hemnxerson/ Barry Geraghty) has won his last 4 races, but the form does not read as well as that of Blaklion (Nigel T-D/ Ryan Hatch), who has won 5 of his 6 races and his only defeat came at Cheltenham when run out of it by Parlour Games (John Ferguson/ Noel Fehily). That one reopposes on 3 lbs worse terms, but he won with quite a bit in hand and we hope that the Monsun gelding can score again.

Betting forecast Leopardstown:
1. Race: On The Shannon - Down Under - Pollywollydoodle
2. Race: Fort Smith - Royal Caviar - Mike Mccann
3. Race: Hurricane Fly - Jezki - Tiger Roll
4. Race: Peoples Park - Lord Scoundrel - A Sizing Network
5. Race: Analifet - Princess Leya - Carrigmoorna Rock
6. Race: Don Poli - Mala Beach - The Tullow Tank
7. Race: Bellshill - Altiepix - Solatentif