Author: Paul Davidson

3m6f Sam Vestey National Hunt Challenge Cup Novices’ Chase (Grade 2) (Class 1) It’s easy to forget that NEXT DESTINATION was once handled by Willie Mullins. Willie doesn’t let go of too many good ones, especially not a dual Grade 1 winning hurdler. But Next Destination clearly has had some…

3m1f Ultima Handicap Chase (Grade 3) (Class 1) It doesn’t look the most competitive of renewals for the Ultima Handicap Chase with just the 16-runners lining up this year. The warm favourite is novice, Happygolucky, who certainly carries the most unexposed profile into this for trainer Kim Bailey. Happygolucky has…

2m½f Betfair Hurdle (Handicap) (Grade 3) (Class 1) This rescheduled renewal of the Betfair Hurdle looks pretty special with plenty of unexposed horses in the race. Some of the big fancies are quite short for this though and I like one at a slightly bigger price in MILKWOOD, who was…

2m5½f Gaelic Plant Hire Leopardstown Handicap Chase (Grade A) Fresh from an 11/1 winner in the Ladbrokes Hurdle on Saturday, I fancy two more in the Handicap Chase at Leopardstown on Sunday. We tipped FARCLAS in the Paddy Power Chase over Christmas when running a blinder behind Castlebawn West and…

2m Ladbrokes Hurdle (Extended Handicap Hurdle) (Grade B) Advanced Virgo is out to provide Charles Byrnes with a fourth consecutive win in the Ladbrokes Hurdle, which looks as competitive as ever. Advanced Virgo won a valuable Grade A Handicap Hurdle back at Fairyhouse in November, but back in third on…

Cap Du Nord will be all the rage for this after his impressive second to Cheltenham bound Royal Pagaille in a Class 2 handicap at Kempton over the Christmas period. Cap Du Nord’s markedly improved form has been quite remarkable and he now races off a 15lbs higher work for…

Let’s hope the rescheduled meeting of the Welsh Grand National goes ahead on Saturday having been called off just after Christmas. Secret Reprieve absolutely hosed-up to win the Trial for this race back in early December. He comes into this carrying a 4lbs penalty, but is actually 8lbs well-in on…

3m Leopardstown Christmas Hurdle (Grade 1) A fascinating trial for the Stayers Hurdle with Sire Du Berlais currently 15/8 favourite. He steps in to Grade 1 company for the first time and deservedly so. No eight-year-old has won this for some time and I’m not sure he should be favourite…

3m Paddy Power Chase (Extended Handicap Chase) (Grade B) The former 2018 Triumph Hurdle winner, FARCLAS, put in an encouraging reappearance run in a second season handicap chase last month after a 522 day absence. He finished second to Espoir d’Allen over two miles on this course a couple of…

2m1f Racing Post Novice Chase (Grade 1)  A competitive-looking renewal of the Racing Post Novice Chase over at Leopardstown. Won last year by Notebook, Gigginstown are looking for another success in this race with the 2019 Supreme Novice hurdle fifth Felix Desjy currently a warm favourite. He has looked a…