The third day of Leopardstown’s Christmas fixture will go ahead as planned after the card survived a 7.30am inspection, and what an afternoon of action it promises to be.
The undoubted highlight is the Grade One Leopardstown Christmas Chase, the race which was known as the Lexus until the car firm announced in early November that it would not be renewing its sponsorship. Its marketing executives might be regretting that decision now, as this year’s race has drawn a 12-strong field that includes Sizing John, last season’s Cheltenham Gold Cup winner, and seven more previous winners at Grade One level.
There is so much strength in depth that Outlander, who beat Don Poli and Djakadam in last season’s renewal, is a 16-1 chance, while Carlingford Lough, a dual winner of Ireland’s equivalent of the Cheltenham Gold Cup, is on offer at 66-1. Sizing John, meanwhile, can be backed at a shade of odds-against, with the reappearing Yorkhill, who took the JLT Novice Chase at Cheltenham last season, rated the main danger to Jessica Harrington’s chaser at 7-2.
There is clearly plenty of confidence behind Yorkhill, who is also one of only three horses at single-figure odds for the Gold Cup in March – Might Bite and Sizing John are the others – despite having made only four starts over fences, all of which were in novice company.
Yorkhill was beaten on his most recent appearance, in the Ryanair Gold Cup at Fairyhouse in April, when he finished a neck behind Road To Respect (a 12-1 chance for today’s race) after jumping markedly to his left at many of the fences. He could hardly face a deeper field for his first start outside novice events, and Yorkhill could run right up to his Festival form and still not finish in front of Sizing John.
In fact, the 5-4 available about Sizing John (3.00) looks more than fair. He spent two years being duffed up by Douvan on a regular basis over the minimum trip, including when second in a Grade One at this meeting last year, but he then stepped up in distance and has not looked back, winning five races in a row including four Grade Ones. His return to action in the John Durkan at Punchestown suggested he is just as good, and potentially better, this season, and he should reinforce his position at the top of the Gold Cup betting this afternoon.
Apple’s Jade (1.20) will have a new rider when she steps up to three miles in the Christmas Hurdle on the same card, as Jack Kennedy is “quite sore” after two falls here on Wednesday and has decided to sit out the last two days of the meeting.
Davy Russell is expected to ride Apple’s Jade for the first time and is odds-on to confirm her recent form with Nichols Canyon, who was nine lengths behind her in the Hatton’s Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse. Nichols Canyon (1.20) could well improve for the run, however, and at this trip, last season’s Stayers’ Hurdle winner is a decent bet to get the better of his former stable companion at around 5-2.
Leicester’s card on Thursday failed to beat the weather but racing goes ahead over jumps at Catterick and on the all-weather at Lingfield. Red Danaher (2.40) should go well at a decent price in Yorkshire, while Island Brave (1.45) has plenty in his favour in the stayers’ handicap at Lingfield. Heather Main’s runner stayed on strongly to win last time out, has been raised only 4lb today and remains unexposed at staying trips.
Thursday’s tips
Lingfield Park 11.40 Bertie Moon 12.10 The Special One (nb) 12.45 Captain Pugwash 1.15 Zalshah 1.45 Island Brave (nap) 2.20 Deliberator 2.55 Corazon Espinado 3.30 Hamish Mcgonagain
Catterick Bridge 12.30 Teescomponents Lad 1.05 Mr Witmore 1.35 Mr Mafia 2.05 Lake Field 2.40 Red Danaher 3.15 Triopas
