Daily Racing Thread Tuesday 28th. December 2021

Obviously well worth watching the Pertemps Qualifier at Leopardstown this afternoon with a guide to the final. The Irish have won the last 6 renewals of the final and 3 of those 6 winners qualified via today's race (Mall Dini 4th in this in 2015, won the 2016 final; Sire Du Berlais 6th in 2018 and won the final in 2019 - and incidentally could only finish 9th in 2019 meaning Elliott had to send him to the Warwick qualifier in Jan 2020 to qualify before he won the 2020 final; Mrs Milner finished 4th in this in 2020 and won the 2021 final).

So not necessarily the winner today but look at the placed horses for a guide to the final - together with the Punchestown qualifier at the end of January.

 

Leicester abandoned after heavy rain

 

The opening maiden hurdle race at Leopardstown is something of an oddity in that it is limited to 4YOs - pretty unusual for this time of year. Nevertheless it has some very interesting entries, particularly from Willie Mullins (winner of 5 of the last 10 renewals) and his Horantzau D'Airy is solid at the top of the market at around EVS. He is by relatively unknown Japanese sire Legolas and is a half-brother to Venetia Williams moderate chaser Enzo D'Airy (OR 126). So not exactly a dazzling pedigree but he did win his bumper in France and clearly connections don't tend to buy rubbish. Very short in the betting based on that evidence though. His main market rival is Roaring Potter, another in a seemingly endless line of horses owned by Andrew and Gemma Brown under their Caldwell Construction banner. The grey Martaline gelding finished 2nd to the smart mare Grangee on debut at Fairyhouse and she has franked that form by finishing a close 4th in the Grade 1 novice hurdle here yesterday. Roaring Potter was given a strange ride on debut at Fairyhouse, not even asked for an effort until the winner had flown but staying on to really good effect to grab 2nd late on and this step up in trip is sure to suit. He looks the clear pick on form and there are bits of 10/3 around at the moment. Next in the betting is Life In The Park but he already looks to need further and handicaps but there are a couple of very interesting fillies at the bottom of the card. Mullins second runner, Heia, is by No Risk At All (sire of Allaho, Epatante and Gumball amongst others) and won a French flat race over 12F, albeit 517 days ago - she has clearly had issues. The other filly is Henry De Bromhead's Secret She Keeps, who won a point from Essential Jaco and Hecouldbetheone - both of whom subsequently moved to Gary Moore and have won under rules. She is currently available at 18/1 which looks massive on paper.

Win: Roaring Potter 10/3
E/W: Secret She Keeps 18/1

 

They might even be trying off that mark Tam - will need to go up a few pounds to get in the final you'd think. Mind you, Weld doesn't do Cheltenham does he? Jockey's claim should help today

 

Roaring Potter very disappointing but Secret She Keeps got 3rd so place money

 

Those towards the bottom of the racecard prevailing in the Pertemps - racecard numbers 17,18, 26, 20, 16 were the first 5 (not sure who got 6th). Dunboyne and Futurum Regem both caught my eye with a view to the final.

Edit: 27 Pour Pavore got 6th

 

I'd love to know what Elliott is planning with Duffle Coat. If you look back to last season he won 4 juvenile hurdles on the bounce and gave Adagio 5lbs and a beating in a Grade 2 at Cheltenham. Four runs on the flat for Sneezie Foster during Elliott's ban and then suddenly up to 3 miles in handicap hurdles where he has sat out the back and never got into the race. Trying to get his mark down for the Coral Cup?

 

This is a very, very deep renewal of the Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown. Those proven at the trip (Klassical Dream, Flooring Porter et al) set a very high standard but then you have the likes of Abacadabras and Saldier stepping up to 3 miles.

 

Soft lead for Klassical Dream there - they gave him 8 lengths at the start

 

I can't see any of the UK horses landing a blow against those 2 in the Stayers Hurdle

 

Another superb finish to the Savills Chase and Galvin did really well to get up after having to be switched out for his run.