13:10 Leopardstown – Paddy’s Rewards Club Chase (Grade 1) –
Captain Guinness
LAST season’s Champion Chase runner-up impressed late last month when making his seasonal debut in a grade two contest at Navan. He ran out a seven length winner ahead of Riviere D’etel, with Dysart Dynamo and grade one winner over fences Saint Roi in behind. Dysart Dynamo set a decent pace and this horse appeared to have a lot left in the tank at the finish. In that run he only carried 2lbs less than he will in this race, which should provide confidence in his ability to give away weight to Dinoblue who will carry 7lbs less. He will only have to reproduce form ahead of Saint Roi and Dysart Dynamo, with the latter carrying 11lbs more here than he did at Navan. Gentleman De Mee in that case remains the only horse left to assess and he normally doesn’t hit form until February or March. Captain Guinness is a consistent performer who finished the runner-up in this race last season behind Blue Lord, who won’t run here. Racing is almost never simple but this horse appears the most likely winner for these reasons.
13:45 Leopardstown – Paddy Power Future Champions Novice Hurdle (Grade 1) – Daddy Long Legs
THIS horse won his maiden in his second start at Thurles at the end of last month by an impressive 13 lengths. The Willie Mullins trained Almanzor gelding was bought for €210,000, after finishing a close second on the flat in France. His maiden performance over hurdles couldn’t have been more impressive, despite some regularly placed runners in behind, who on form are struggling to get rid of their maiden tag. Down Memory Lane also looks like a smart prospect but this horse gets the pick because when comparing both of their previous starts, Daddy Long Legs appeared to face a more testing pace and showed good jumping ability which will be needed in a grade one race. At the time of writing this horse has also gained favouritism over his market rival and it would be no surprise to see him justify his place in the market.
14:30 Kempton – Ladbrokes Desert Orchid Handicap Chase (Grade 2) – Boothill
AFTER Haddex Des Obeaux wasn’t declared in the final stage of declarations so Boothill appears to be the obvious pick here, despite being near the top of the weights. Boothill is one of two runners in this field who has had recent winning form, with the other being Elixir De Nutz. Boothill’s form seems a tad more impressive, considering last month he beat a consistent performer and grade one winner in First Flow, before finishing ahead first ahead of Triple Trade at Ascot. Triple Trade, although hasn’t won at graded level, won a smart handicap in his next run. Boothill should be primed to take on Nube Negra and Editeur Du Gite, who have won impressive grade-level races in their career but haven’t been near their best form recently.
Hawkinsport 