The Leopardstown racing at the Christmas Festival continues on the penultimate day of the meeting this Saturday, 28 December. Headlining the latest card from this fixture is the Grade 1 Savills Chase featuring a John Durkan rematch between Fact To File and Galopin Des Champs.
This particular date is a huge one for jumps horse racing in Ireland in general as it’s also the day of the Grade 1 Faugheen Novice Chase down at Limerick. Supporting races at Leopardstown, meanwhile, include the Savills Hurdle, registered as the Christmas Hurdle.
With so much top-level action on show this Saturday, horse racing betting sites on both sides of the Irish Sea will be busy taking wagers. Step forward our tireless experts, who follow all the happenings in this great sport. Read on for their race by race analysis of all the big races in the Emerald Isle.
Leopardstown Racing Preview for Saturday, 28 December
1:20 – 2m 5f 70y Beginners Chase
Chapeau De Soleil could scale greater heights now switched to the larger obstacles and his Gold Trophy victory at the Punchestown Festival got franked in the autumn when Beacon Edge landed the Grade 2 West Yorkshire Hurdle around Wetherby. The other Mullins runner Captain Cody has experience of fences that his two stable companions lack, meanwhile.
An Tobar finished in front of the selection in the Lawlor’s Of Naas in January and also has an Irish Point under his belt. He’s not without claims for Robcour, Henry De Bromhead and Rachael Blackmore. Navan faller Dee Capo could be dangerous if proving no worse for his tumble two out earlier this month.
2:00 – 2m 7f 80y Grade 1 Savills Hurdle (Registered as the Christmas Hurdle)
Bob Olinger was only fifth in this top-level Leopardstown racing event two years ago, but made a costly mistake three out. Given his Irish Point and extended bumper background, it is worth giving him one more go in a staying hurdle race like this. Connections of Hewick opted to run here rather defend his King George crown, meanwhile.
He’s a big danger after going so close in the Down Royal Champion Chase last time out. Reappearing duo Noble Yeats and Asterion Forlonge come with risks attached. The former needed his first run last term, while the latter prefers right-handed tracks. Paul Nolan fits first-time blinkers on Sandor Clegane to try and revive his fortunes.
2:35 – 3m 100y Grade 1 Savills Chase
A mouth-watering clash between Fact To File and GALOPIN DES CHAMPS. Punchestown just isn’t the latter’s happy hunting ground, but his record here is quite different. Galopin Des Champs has an unbeaten in five steeplechases at this venue. The John Durkan trip is now too sharp for him as a mature horse and it’s in staying races where he excels.
Fact To File is a major danger, but his Leopardstown racing form doesn’t match what Galopin Des Champs has achieved at the course yet. Leading Irish owner McManus has two other runners and Grand National hero I Am Maximus returns to action here. He could better, but similar comments also apply to Inothewayurthinkin.
Robcour duo Gentlemansgame and Heart Wood have place prospects on the pick of their form, but it’s difficult to see the other Mullins mounts Grangeclare West and Minella Cocooner landing a blow. Gigginstown run Conflated after trying Cross Country the last day.
3:05 – 2m 7f 80y Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle Qualifier
Binge Worthy is up 9lb for his last time out Punchestown success, while Fortunedefortunata was an eye-catching fifth in a Listed staying handicap at Navan last time out. Brown Lad fourth WIN SOME LOSE SOME was nearest at the finish around Naas, however, and off 1lb higher looks worth trying over this longer trip by Padraig Roche.
New Mullins recruit King Alexander could be interesting also upped in distance for his Leopardstown racing debut after leaving Nicky Henderson. Golden Temple looks the pick of Noel Meade’s pair in the race, while mares Feet Of A Dancer and Finest Evermore have bits and pieces of encouraging form for this stamina test.
