Bobba Tee finished third at Newcastle (10f) yesterday. Oliver Stammers set him out back with a lot to do early. Starfighter was a bit lucky to win, something going wrong with Lord Halifax mere yards from the line.
Today's Race
The 2.45 at Leopardstown is a Grade B 0-150 handicap chase run over 17.5f. There are twenty runners so I shouldn't be surprised if some big prices are offered, and yet...
The Contenders
Four Gordon Elliott runners and the shortest-priced of these is currently (2.30am) being offered at 16/1 on Betfair. Crazy stuff. Aramax comes here in good form having beaten Jessica Harrington's Port Stanley last time. Just a 5yo, he won the Fred Winter at Cheltenham last year. Drifting badly but could be considered. Jack Kennedy rides Or Jaune De Somoza who stayed on more purposefully last time and isn't ruled out.
Willie Mullins fields two, Pont Aven and Andalusa. Pont Aven chased home Daly Tiger in a similar race at Fairyhouse last time. He's been well backed here and is a contender. Andalusa is available at 25/1 or bigger. The 6yo mare won a couple of novice chases in the autumn comfortably before putting in two weak efforts. Back from a break with Bryan Cooper up she can return to some form.
High in the betting here are Epson Du Houx (an easy winner of his first handicap chase last time but raised 13lbs for the win) and Entoucas who has gone close on four occasions over fences without a win. I can pass on those two.
The Shunter comes here from winning the Greatwood Hurdle at Cheltenham and is understandably a popular choice. Trainer Emmet Mullins has a great record all round. Off a mark of 132, The Shunter looks very dangerous here.
Few of the remainder make much appeal but top-weight Ordinary World, off the track for a year, has a lot of class (placed in the 2017 Champion Chase at Cheltenham) and could be ventured each-way.
The Selection
My choice of winner would be The Shunter I think but he's a relatively obvious play and short price (11/2) so the recommended bet is Or Jaune De Somoza each-way. He has struggled a little on his first three starts with the Gordon Elliott yard since leaving Henry De Bromhead. Last time at Fairyhouse was his best effort of the three and Jack Kennedy retains the ride. The 9yo French-bred's form suggest he's a better horse on good ground so I'm hoping the rain keeps away. Didn't run too badly in a similar race over course and distance here a year ago. Not such a longshot to make the placings as 50/1 (BetVictor) would suggest, he should go well. It's the middle of the night here and I guess you won't get 50s each/way in the morning. Betfair Sportsbook are going 1/5 odds for 6 places at 40/1. Nice.
Today's Tip
(E/W) OR JAUNE DE SOMOZA (40/1 Betfair Sportsbook, 50/1 BetVictor)
Recent Results
5 Feb: 4.15 Newcastle (AW) Bobba Tee 3rd/11 - @ 17/2
4 Feb: 3.00 Southwell (AW) Gulland Rock (E/W) 4th/11 - @ 40/1
3 Feb: 7.30 Kempton (AW) Zhui Feng 1st/9 WON @ 4/1
2 Feb: 2.55 Newcastle (AW) The Steward 1st/12 WON @ 9/1
Account (Level Stakes Profit)
Feb 2021 LSP: +13.5
All 2021 LSP: +13.5
