3.40 Race And Stay At Leopardstown Handicap Hurdle (Grade B) 3m
It was a surprise to some to see Maxxum declared, given he is favourite for the Pertemps Final and a win here will result in another big rise in the weights but it seems likely connections decided another €100,000 race was just too good to turn down. He absolutely bolted up over this course and distance at Christmas and despite the fact he is 18lbs higher now, he surely has to go close, at the very least. The six-year-old has clearly turned a corner since joining Gordon Elliott and could yet progress into a top class staying hurdler.
Perceval Legallois was 26 lengths off Maxxum when fourth here at Christmas but may shape better now, considering he was coming off a bit of a break there and he has a big weight swing with the Elliott runner. Blue Sari is another to catch the eye up at this trip. He was no match trying to concede weight to Gaelic Warrior last time but he comes up to three miles for the first time now, and that could bring about improvement.
Encouragingly, one of his best ever runs was when he fell at the last when second in the Coral Cup, the longest trip he has raced over. Au Fleuron is another to note stepping up in trip. He had some decent form last year, most notably a second to Banbridge in Navan, and he shaped well on his most recent start when fourth to San Salvador at Punchestown.
SELECTION: MAXXUM
Next best: Blue Sari
4.10 Paddy Power Cheltenham Fanzone Handicap Chase (Grade B)
Prices of 5/1 look more than fair for Rebel Gold who is having a fine season for Patrick Foley. The 10-year-old finished a good sixth in the two-mile-five-furlong handicap chase at this festival last season and returns off just a 4lb higher mark. Significantly, he comes into this race in the form of his life, having ran out a very impressive winner of the Dan & Joan Moore Memorial at Fairyhouse. Earlier he found only the well handicapped Maskada too good in the Tim Duggan and this race doesn’t look as strong as either of his previous two.
A Wave Of The Sea is looking for a remarkable fourth win at this festival and second win in this race, having scored here last year off just a 2lb lower mark. He is dangerous, possibly more so than Get My Drift, who also represents J.P. McManus and has been notably high in the market for some of his runs before disappointing. Final Orders is clearly a threat, coming here on a five-timer while Fils D’oudairies is also noted. He hasn’t been seen since finishing second to Magnor Glory in the Grade B Ladbrokes Handicap Hurdle at Listowel, but that was a fine effort and he is lightly enough raced over fences to be of interest off his mark.
SELECTION: REBEL GOLD
Next best: A Wave Of The Sea
4.40 Shabra Future Stars INH Flat Race (Grade 2)
Fascile Mode was a most impressive winner on debut here at Christmas and looks the one to beat again. However the horse third to him there, Special Cadeau, looks a value play at 14/1.
A son of Nathaniel and 1000 Guineas winner Speciosa, the five-year-old had to concede 11lbs to both Fascile Mode and the runner-up Lecky Watson (with the jockey claims factored in), yet was able to come 18 lengths clear with that pair, on what was his first start in 409 days. Given this is a Grade 2 contest, Charlie Mullins can’t claim 7lbs on Fascile Mode, so essentially Special Cadeau has an 11lb swing, while he should also strip fitter now. A decent time posted in that bumper suggests this form is stronger than anything else on offer.
Better Days Ahead has been touted as a good bumper horse and did well to take the measure of Chapeau Du Soleil at Fairyhouse. He is a threat but the second vote goes to Fact To File, who showed a really good attitude to turn what looked like a defeat into a victory by gathering in Irish Panther on his debut over this course and distance.
SELECTION: SPECIAL CADEAU
Next best: Fact To File