Leopardstown hosts four Grade 1 races this Sunday, and there might be some value in OUR DUKE‘s 7/2 quote for the Flogas Novices’ Chase at 15:30.
He’s only got Willie Mullins’s Bellshill ahead of him in the betting, and it’s hard to argue the market has them the right way around given their respective achievements on the track.
Bellshill has been around for a while now and his form is hot and cold; he was a big disappointment on this card last year and the form of his Grade 1 success at Naas last season is particularly weak.
That was all over hurdles, however, and now novice chasing he has looked more formidable.
Perhaps not as formidable as Our Duke, though, who is two from two this season and is clearly extremely well thought of by connections.
He won a three-mile Grade-1 novices’ chase at Leopardstown over Christmas, beating Coney Island, who is himself a Grade 1 winning chaser this season, and Disko, who re-opposes.
That’s about the strongest form on offer in this race, and with the promise of more to come Our Duke can confirm that at a nice price.
Disko was only a length behind Our Duke in that race so must also have strong claims – one mistake could have swung the race in his favour – while Blue Et Rouge is an interesting outsider as he’s clearly got a big engine and looks a threat if he can tidy up his jumping.
1pt win Our Duke @7/2, 15:30 Leopardstown, Sunday (Betway)
Leave a comment