Four Grade One races at Leopardstown

After several Cheltenham contenders were seen out yesterday at Sandown, Doncaster and Naas, the action switches today to Leopardstown with an extremely strong card, featuring four Grade One races. Main event is the 3 mile Hennessy Gold Cup chase over 3 miles at 16.45 CET. Astonishingly, 6 of the 7 runners met last time in the Lexus Chase over this CD at Christmas, which was won by Paul Nicholls´ What a Friend. Money Trix (Nicky Richards/ Davy Russell) was noted finishing really strongly then for second place, with Joncol (Paul Nolan/ Aidan Cawley) third, Notre Pere (Jim Dreaper/ Andrew Lynch) 4th and Schindlers Hunt (Dessie Hughes/ Paddy Flood) 5th, while Cooldine (Willie Mullins/ Ruby Walsh) and In Compliance (Dessie Hughes/ Roger Loughran) were pulled up. Logically Magic Trix should come out on top again, although all the money this week has been for Cooldine, who despite his miserable performance then, is still seen as Ireland´s best hope (probably only hope) of winning th e Gold Cup at Cheltenham. The very heavy going should be ideal for Joncol, but Magic Trix, who also goes well on this ground, seems the safest selection; however nothing that happens here is likely to worry Paul Nicholls, who has in his stable Kauto Star and Denman, both far superior to What a Friend.

The most interesting runner of the day however goes for the Deloitte Novice Hurdle at 15.10. This is Dunguib (Philip Fenton/ Barry O´Connell), unbeaten in his last 7 races (although once diqualified) and widely regarded as the Irish banker at Cheltenham. The trainer wants to check the ground first before confirming Dunguib as a runner here, but if he takes part, he should win this easily, although he will hardly be at a working man´s price. Should he miss the race, Whodoyouthink (Oliver McKiernan/ Paddy Flood), who won a lesser race over this CD by 22 lengths last time, would be our selection.

Charlie Byrnes is enjoying a good run and can win the other two graded races with Pittoni in the 4yo hurdle at 14.05 and Weapons Amnesty in the Dr. PJ Moriarty Novice Chase at 15.40, both partnered by Davy Russell, who could be in for a very lucrative afternoon.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Pittoni - Cross Appeal - Shanrod
2. Race: Kylebeg Krystle - Lou`S Coole Girl - Bobs Display
3. Race: Dunguib - Fionnegas - Whodoyouthink
4. Race: Weapon`S Amnesty - Roberto Goldback - Zaarito
5. Race: Four Chimneys - Kilflora - Take It Easee
6. Race: Cooldine - Joncol - Money Trix
7. Race: Agus A Vic - Afistfullofdollars - Ballistraw
8. Race: Frawley - Kildare Blowin - Bubbly Bruce