Friday Preview

Hi all,

Inside today’s main piece I’m looking at the best of Friday’s action on the final days at the Leopardstown & Limerick Christmas Festival's.

Thursday Recap:

Only the one winner for me on Thursday but no damage done to the betting bank. It’s not over yet but the festive period has been full of winners and if I can break even over the next few days a big profit. 

It was quite an afternoon on Thursday. We had three Grade 1’s to enjoy and all three delivered standout performances.

Irish Point, backed by strong market support, effortlessly secured victory in the Jack de Bromhead Christmas Hurdle. The race's slow pace played to his strengths, allowing him to navigate the hurdles with ease and exhibit an impressive change of gear for a decisive success.

He’s an upwardly mobile staying hurdler heading to the top. Now 4/1 for the Stayers Hurdle at Cheltenham vindicating the earlier 16/1 ante post advice.

Over at Limerick, Gaelic Warrior dominated the Faugheen Novice Chase, delivering an effortless triumph with some impeccable jumping.

A top-class novice chaser who will always be at his very best going right-handed. That’s not to say he won’t win the Turners Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham for which he’s now the 5/4 favourite. He will probably have too many gears for his rivals and his slight jumping to the right probably won’t be enough for his rivals to take advantage.

Galopin Des Champs Reigns Supreme in Savills Chase

In a dazzling display of dominance, Galopin Des Champs claimed the spotlight, delivering an awe-inspiring performance in the Grade 1 Savills Chase, marking the pinnacle of the week and the season thus far.

The absence of Fastorslow, due to testing ground, aside Galopin Des Champs outclassed the best Irish staying chasers. The return to more positive tactics proved effective and set the stage for a magnificent victory.

He could be called the winner three that’s how well he was travelling, and he powered clear of his seven rivals in the straight to win by 23 lengths from a toiling Gerri Colombe. The latter always had a good position but didn’t have the change of gear to live with the winner when it mattered.

Despite the potential of contenders like Fastorslow and the overlooked Gentlemansgame, both with the capacity for bigger performances, Galopin Des Champs remains an unrivalled force. Fastorslow maintains a 2-0 record against Galopin Des Champs, setting the stage for an intriguing quest to try to thwart the reigning champion's pursuit of another Gold Cup triumph.  I would imagine his rivals will be hoping for a good ground Gold Cup in March. If the mud is flying, he will be unbeatable barring a fall.

Leopardstown

Corbett’s Cross Faces Tough Rivals in Neville Hotels Novice Chase

Leopardstown steals the headlines once again with the two Grade 1’s this afternoon. The first of them is the Neville Hotels Novice Chase (1:45). Six have been declared and recent Fairyhouse scorer Corbett’s Cross heads the early bird betting. He built on his chase debut third when winning a Fairyhouse beginners chase earlier this month. The step up to 3m should elicit even more improvement from the 6-year-old.

It’s no easy task for the favourite as he faces several interesting rivals. Flooring Porter is back going left-handed which is a big plus to his chance. Favori De Champdou looked a real stayer when winning the Grade 2 Florida Pearl Novice Chase at Punchestown. He needs testing ground to be seen at his best and should get that this afternoon. Grangeclare West jumped well for a novice to win a Navan beginners chase last month (Corbett’s Cross 9 length back in third). That success came over 2m 4f, but he should stay 3m and if he can build on his Navan performance, he can win this.

State Man and Impaire Et Passe Clash in Matheson Hurdle Battle

The other Grade 1 on the card is the Matheson Hurdle (2:20). Just four have been declared but there’s still a fascinating clash between stablemates State Man and Impaire Et Passe.

State Man has only been beaten once on his last nine starts that was by a certain Constitution Hill.  He made a winning seasonal return in the Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown last month and is the one to beat. Impaire Et Passe was last season’s top novice hurdler, winning the Ballymore at Cheltenham and a Grade 1 at the Punchestown Festival. He made a solid return to action when runner-up to Teahuppoo in the Hatton's Grace at Fairyhouse 26 days ago. The drop back to 2m is a plus but it will take a might effort to beat his stablemate.

Doncaster: Zambella Aims for Third Consecutive Victory in Yorkshire Silver Vase Mares' Chase

The best of the action over here is at Doncaster where the feature is Listed Yorkshire Silver Vase Mares' Chase (1:40).

Zambella seeks a third consecutive triumph in this race, securing a convincing victory on her seasonal debut at Aintree just 20 days ago. Pink Legend, who finished third to Zambella in last year's edition, trailed behind the mare once again at Aintree upon her seasonal return. Although Pink Legend has secured a victory at Newbury since then, my belief is that Zambella will once again demonstrate her superiority over her rival.

Despite Zambella's strong credentials, the current favorite is Irish contender Limerick Lace. Limerick Lace secured a victory at Clonmel in her seasonal debut and followed up with a commendable 2 ¼ length second place in the competitive Troytown Handicap Chase at Navan, featuring a field of 20. While her ratings suggest she has the potential to win, it's worth considering that she might perform even better with more challenging ground conditions, especially at the 2m 4f distance.

Fantastic Lady is auseful mare at her best who beat Zambella in a similar race at Market Rase last season, albeit that win came over 3m. She ended last season in the form of her life finishing runner-up in the Topham Chase over the National fences and a 7 ¾ length 3^rd of 6 to Hewick in a Grade 2 at Sandown. Her respectable fifth-place finish in the Grand Sefton Chase at Aintree 48 days ago marked a solid seasonal reappearance. While the 8-year-old may find the two and a half miles a bit on the short side, she remains a contender and, considering the odds, could be a value play.

Friday Selection:

For Friday's pick, I'm steering away from Leopardstown and heading to Doncaster.

Doncaster

1:40 – Fantastic Lady – 5/1.

Good luck with your Friday Bets.

John