IRISH CHAMPION HURDLE DAY: SHAMROCK looks ahead to the big race and also the Grade 1 Frank Ward Solicitors Arkle Novice Chase on Sunday’s Leopardstown card.
Irish Champion Hurdle Day at Leopardstown and despite the absence of Faugheen in the feature race the two Grade 1’s on the card look tricky for punters – despite a field of just four in both.
2:30 Frank Ward Solicitors Arkle Novice Chase (Grade 1) (5yo+, Class 1, 2m 1f, 4 runners)
Four runners and safe to say there is no Douvan (winner last year) in today’s line-up for the first Grade 1 on the card. There is a question mark over favourite Identity Thief after he pulled up here on Boxing Day in the Racing Post Novice Chase – he made a mistake at the third that day and was never jumping well after that. He reportedly finished lame afterwards but I’m not sure I can back him at short odds today.
I prefer the chances of the Willie Mullins trained Bleu Et Rouge who was a Grade 1 winner over hurdles and made a winning chasing debut here in December. Whilst making some mistakes, he will hopefully have learnt from the experience and remains lightly raced and capable of further improvement.
3:30 BHP Insurance Irish Champion Hurdle (Grade 1) (4yo+, Class 1, 2m, 4 runners)
Faugheen’s absence is disappointing and Willie Mullins will struggle to continue his stronghold on the race with Nichols Canyon who has seven lengths to find with Petit Mouchoir on course form in the the Ryanair Hurdle.
It looked a below par from Nichols Canyon that day but even allowing for that I want to stick with Petit Mouchoir.
SHAMROCK’S BETS:
NAP: Petit Mouchoir (3.30 Leopardstown)
NEXT BEST: Bleu Et Rouge (2.30 Leopardstown)
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