SEEING STARS AT LEOPARDSTOWN: Shamrock has two ‘Star’ bets at Leopardstown today, starting with a runaway top-rating which is getting weight from the main dangers. How bad? Must be the nap.
Will they see which way she went? If Tommy Stack’s Magen’s Star can get clean away from them – it was 16 lengths then 15 – on the soft, how much better should she do on a sounder surface today.
Magen’s Star (1.25 Leopardstown) was always going to find it tough taking that style to the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham but, back after a long break, and fresh as paint today, she could show them her heels all the way.
She didn’t beat ‘nothing’ last term; her exploits officially rate her alongside Our Girl Salley, and 4lb ahead of Golden Sunbird, yet the pair have to give her 3lb today.
I’m sticking my pin in the 2.30 Pertemps Hurdle; you think it’s such a big field I might need the Dublin ‘needle.’ But, in fact, a lot of these shouldn’t be there.
For instance, I can’t see how a cross-country winner, Sizing Australia, and a Kerry National winner, Streets Of Gold, are going to feel at home on this drying ground in a fast-run 3m hurdle.
The conditions don’t suit Sweet My Lord but they do give Rourke’s Cross a great chance of getting this trip and showing his speed.
Prince Erik, a previous winner of the race, has been laid out for it again and the 13.0 on Betdaq this morning is as tempting as some extra Christmas pudding.
The big race (1.55) is an absolute cracker. I’m a Thousand Stars man and a Ruby Walsh fan and, with the stamina of one and the riding skills of t’other, I know I’ll get the best possible run for my money.
Limerick: Meanwhile Limerick is a bog, and the 2m 6f of the handicap hurdle (2.15) will take some getting.
Cloughmile will get it though. She is bred for a National, by Oscar out of a Strong Gale mare, and should not be inconvenienced by this drop back to the smaller obstacles after back-to-back wins over fences.
SHAMROCK’S BETS
NAP: Magen’s Star (1.25 Leopardstown),
NEXT BEST: Thousand Stars (1.55 Leopardstown)
EACH WAY: Rourke’s Cross and Prince Erik (2.30 Leopardstown)
DAQ TRIO: Magen’s Star (1.25 Leopardstown), Thousand Stars (1.55 Leopardstown), Cloughmile (2.15 Limerick)
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