Day one of the Christmas Festivals proved very fruitful with the team bagging 6 winners across the three meetings. Today we head to Chepstow, Leopardstown and Limerick.
Across the water in Chepstow we have two runners in the Welsh Grand National. WHERE IT ALL BEGAN ran in this race 12 months ago where he looked to be making ground on the leaders before a bad mistake 4 out put pay to his chances. Hopefully he can put in a good round of jumping this time and wouldn’t be without a chance under Conor O’Farrell. BEAUFORT SCALE has proven himself over the longer distances when 2nd in a 3m1f amateur riders handicap chase and 7th in the Porterstown handicap chase over 3m6f. He is 6lb out of the handicap but is capable of running another consistent race under Paddy Hanlon.
Down below in Limerick we just have 3 runners today. FORCEONMYOWN makes her seasonal reappearance. She was last seen winning her bumper in Punchestown back in January and makes her debut over hurdles today in this mares maiden hurdle. Already a winner of a point to point, she should take well to her hurdles and could add another string to her bow here. Carl Millar rides.
In the Goggin Buckley Hurdle we run RISKAWAY. A winner of his maiden hurdle last time out over 2m4f beating a subsequent winner, he should run well here today under Jordan Gainford.
CUMBERLAND RIVER takes his chances in the novice handicap hurdle. The 3yo has not disgraced himself in his 3 hurdle starts to date against his own age group and should take a step forward moving into handicap company. Jordan Gainford rides.
In Leopardstown we send out 15 runners.
In the opener, the 3yo maiden hurdle, we saddle 4 runners. DEEP WATER BAY is a new recruit to the yard. Rated in the 90’s on the flat for Sir Mark Prescott, he makes his debut over flights today where we will learn a lot about him. Danny Gilligan rides. HARDY STUFF is having his 3rd run over hurdles. He showed a much better attitude the last day with the hood fitted and hopefully can take a step forward from that run. Sam Ewing rides. MANOIR DE MIRANDE looked to have the race sewn up before falling at the last in Cork. He’s a classy individual and one of the leading contenders here today. Jack Kennedy rides. WOLFPACK is another new recruit who has joined up from the flat and has taken well to his hurdles at home. Again, we will learn plenty about him today but hopefully he can put in a good run for his connections. James Smith rides.
In the Grade 1 Paddy Rewards Club Chase we run FOUND A FIFTY. An exciting 7 runner field, Found A Fifty did beat the favourite Majborough last time out by 1.5 lengths and can not be dismissed in todays contest. Jack Kennedy rides.
In the Grade 1 novice hurdle we saddle two runners. SKYLIGHT HUSTLE was impressive when running out a 21 length winner of his maiden hurdle last time out in Fairyhouse. He is the pick of Jack Kennedy today. KOKTAIL BRUT won the Royal Bond novice hurdle last time out making him 2 from 2 over hurdles and is another who should finish in the frame under Danny Gilligan.
In the 2 mile handicap hurdle we saddle two. BOWENSONFIRE has three wins under his belt so far this season and numerous placings and stayed on well to finish second last time out from a long way back. He has strong claims here today and will be the mount of Jack Kennedy. SOMEONE’S WISH has been running well on the flat as well as over hurdles this season and although he is 5lb out of the handicap, he could still run a big race under Sam Ewing.
In the Paddy Power chase we send 5 down to post. PIED PIPER finished 6th in the Troytown chase the time before last and will once again be partnered by Josh Williamson who claims a useful 5lb. FAVORI DE CHAMPDOU was unlucky when falling in the cross country chase at Cheltenham last time out. He did run well in this race 12 months ago and will be the mount of Sam Ewing. SEARCH FOR GLORY ran well for a long time in the Troytown before finishing second to Down Memory Lane in a 2m4f contest last time out. James Smith rides and takes a useful 5lb off his back. WILL DO bounced back to form when just held off in the Porterstown chase at Fairyhouse last time out. We’re hoping he can replicate that form today with Jack Kennedy booked to ride. YEATS STAR reverts back to fences after pulling up over hurdles last time out. He will have to take a step forward from his 5th in the Munster National if he is to feature here. Danny Gilligan rides.
Our final runner in Leopardstown is GENEROUS RISK in the bumper. Second to stablemate Kepp Him Company in Fairyhouse back in November, he looks as though he will relish the step up in trip and should be in the mix at the business end. Josh Williamson rides.