13:50 Leopardstown – Jack De Bromhead Christmas Hurdle – Irish Point
GORDON Elliot’s grey capped off last season with a grade one win at Aintree in the Mersey Novices’ Hurdle. This came ahead of the likes of Hermes Allen and You Wear It Well who were successful grade-winning hurdlers. The way he ran through the line after a trip of two miles and four furlongs suggested this horse would get three miles. He made his seasonal debut at Gowran Park last month over a trip of two miles, finishing 13/4 lengths ahead of Magical Zoe who has success at grade three level and was carrying 13lbs less. Whilst the rest of the field here are more established at the distance but this horse may have speed the others don’t have and this would make it four wins in a row.
14:25 Leopardstown – Savills Chase (Grade 1) – Gerri Colombe
THIS horse has a glittering record so far in his career, with 10 wins from 11 starts and the only defeat coming by a short head to The Real Whacker at Cheltenham earlier this year. He has won four grade ones over fences and has extraordinary battling qualities in the closing stages. With two Gold Cup winners, a former winner of this race in the shape of Conflated and an Irish Grand National winner in I Am Maximus, this will undoubtedly be the toughest field he has faced on paper. He missed the King George VI Chase on Boxing Day due to a lack of rain specifically to run here. This is a horse with a lot of ability whose career has been thoughtfully plotted so far, so his inclusion in the field warrants great interest.
Verdict
Hawkinsport 