13:10 Leopardstown – BeattheBank.ie Irish EBF Mares Hurdle (Grade 3) – Space Tourist (Each way)
WILLIE Mullins has clearly stated that this horse is probably at her best in quicker summer conditions, but she won a listed mares’ hurdle in October on heavy going over a further distance. This is a much better field but, conditions should keep the race from being too fast, whilst the level of opposition should also see an injection of pace before the straight. If she can replicate the relatively strong travelling speed on similar testing ground conditions and clean jumping she should be in the picture late. Grade three would probably be the limit for this horse. Mullins’ mare has drifted in the market and her price allows for an each way punt and is probably a big part of the appeal.
13:40 Doncaster – KC Sofas Doncaster Yorkshire Silver Vase Mares’ Chase (Listed) – Zambella
THIS would make it a hattrick of victories in the Silver Vase for Nigel Twiston-Davies’ mare. She would probably prefer more cut in the ground but has won this race when the going was good before. She was at her best in her previous start when running out a 17-length winner at Aintree in a listed mares’ chase on heavy ground. Her ability over fences and engine came to the fore. This win came ahead of Pink Legend who also runs here. The alternative pick on good ground would probably be Fantastic Lady who has form over Zambella from a listed mares’ chase at Market Rasen last year. She has since been unsuccessful in four starts against tougher fields than this with two places. Her last run was in the Grand Sefton at Aintree 35 days ago, and it was a tough race over the famous Aintree fences whilst carrying top weight. Her route to this race may have been tougher on her than the route Zambella has been on, who picked up a win in her last start which is also important. Fantastic Lady must be considered and could very easily win herself, but something about this race has suited Zambella in the last two years, which is why she just edges this pick.
13:45 Leopardstown – Neville Hotels Novice Chase (Grade 1) –
Favori De Champdou
IF Favori De Champdou can replicate his last run, it will take a mighty effort to beat him. He tracked a free-running Flooring Porter and put in an excellent round of jumping. Flooring Porter set his usual frantic gallop from the front and was quirky in front occasionally wondering across the course before being corrected. Favori De Champdou would have been forgiven for tiring after the fast pace but he didn’t. He naturally travelled past Flooring Porter late on and, despite being clear, kicked on and finished emphatically. That race was not only an important piece of form, but was probably the most testing previous run of any of the horses in this race. He passed the test with flying colours and could be the nap of the day, with the only concerns will be his lack of runs on left-handed tracks and a possibility of Flooring Porter finding his old spark.
14:05 Limerick – Parkway Shopping Centre Rated Novice Hurdle –
Splashing Out
CURRENTLY joint favourite at the top of the market with Henry de Bromhead’s mare She’s A Fine Wine. There isn’t a lot of form that catches the eye in this race but the two market leaders both boast a win over course and distance on heavy going this season. This horse is carrying 7lb claimer Peter Smithers, whilst 3lb claimer Mike O’Connor takes the ride on She’s A Fine Wine. Therefore, this horse, despite carrying 12 stone, is effectively 4lbs better off than her rating when compared to her rival. She carried the same weight to victory last time out at Limerick. Meanwhile, She’s a fine Wine carried 11 stone 7lbs in her win in October over course and distance in the same conditions. Her run was three seconds slower than this horse managed.
Hawkinsport 