The lightly raced QUALIMITA has been running well in Maiden Hurdles this term. She makes her handicap debut today and looks well treated off an opening mark of 117. Her trainer Gordon Elliott has won this race twice in the last five years, which makes her well worthy of consideration.
Selection: Qualimita (Win & Place)
Grade One winning hurdler IMPAIRE ET PASSE has taken the transition to chasing smoothly. He won by 12L on his chase debut at Fairyhouse and followed up with an impressive score at Limerick in the Grade One Faugheen Novice Chase. He faces a tougher challenge today, taking on stablemates Ballyburn and Champ Kiely but he has to be dealt with respect in these conditions.
Selection: Impaire Et Passe (Win & Place)
The unbeaten KOPEK DES BORDES is the choice of Paul Townend here. The well-regarded gelding backed up valuable Fairyhouse bumper win by scoring on his hurdles debut over C&D last time out, beating Kawaboomga, who’s since franked the form since. He will need to brush up on his jumping but he looks the one to beat.
Selection: Kopek Des Bordes (Win & Place)
SEARCH FOR GLORY won in good style on his chase debut at Galway and has since gone close in graded company on his last two starts. in the frame behind Impaire Et Passe in the Grade One Faugheen Novice Chase over the Christmas period, that looks a stand-out piece of form. He makes his handicap debut over fences today, and his opening mark of 144 looks fair.
Selection: Search For Glory (Win & Place)
JAMES’S GATE is two from two this season, winning at Punchestown on his reappearance before taking a Navan Novice Hurdle in good style after an awkward jump at the last. Still unexposed over hurdles, there could be more to come from him, he’s one for the shortlist on his handicap debut.
Selection: James’s Gate (Win & Place)
Leopardstown racecourse, located just 6 miles south of Dublin centre, was completed in 1888 and was modelled on Sandown racecourse in England. The track is situated in a 220 acre estate and is a left-handed oval track. Leopardstown hosts both National Hunt and Flat racing, including the famous Christmas festival, Dublin Racing Festival and Longines Irish Champions weekend. The 'Bulmers Live at Leopardstown' music festival also takes place every summer between June and August.