Musselburgh 1.22 The Churchill Lad 1/4 pt ew @ 14’1 / 12’1 – No great shakes on the Flat but 2-4 over hurdles with his wins gained decisively at Cartmel and Catterick; outran his odds of 66-1 to finish fourth in a good Grade 2 at Chepstow and he was only 2l behind Fils De Roi when that one came down at the last; that form brings him right into it
Leopardstown 1.40 James Du Berlais 1pt win @ 3’1 – Returned from 20 months off when making all to easily land a beginners’ chase at Fairyhouse last month; fresh and keen that day and unlikely to get a soft lead this time; immensely promising novice chaser for all that and could well be a danger to all
Musselburgh 1.55 Pay The Piper 1/2 pt ew @ 15’2 – Largely consistent; close second in novice chase here 12 months ago; ties in closely with Dreams Of Home and Return Ticket on Kelso running in early December; nicely treated having slipped to 4lb below last winning mark; solid claims
Leopardstown 2.10 Dunvegan 1/4 pt ew @ 16’1 – Progressive handicapper last season, winning twice at Fairyhouse before a career-best when chasing home Chacun Pour Soi in this race; out of his depth in the Tingle Creek after a prep run on the Flat; beaten 9l when bidding for a repeat win in a valuable Fairyhouse handicap; big run possible, bearing in mind last year’s spirited display
Musselburgh 2.25 Toothless 1pt win @ 8’11 – Had form figures of 6F5 (all over hurdles) in France; showed major improvement with an impressive 35l success at Fakenham on debut for Paul Nicholls, beating largely ordinary rivals but doing it in the style of a useful prospect; this half-brother to Sceau Royal should have more to offer and holds leading claims
Leopardstown 2.40 Ciel De Neige 3/4 pt ew @ 9’1 / 8’1 firms offering 6 places (NAP) – Ran up a hat-trick in novice chases last season; has come up short in handicap company and was well beaten when possibly not staying the 3m of the Paddy Power Chase here at Christmas; and quite simply, I think he has a huge class edge on his rivals, and with Kieran Callaghan taking 7lb off he looks to have an awful lot going for him
Leopardstown 3.10 State Man 1pt win @ evens – Last season’s County Hurdle winner graduated quickly to Grade 1 company, winning easily at the Punchestown festival; has continued on an upward curve with stylish odds-on wins in the Morgiana Hurdle and the Matheson Hurdle, followed home by two stablemates on both occasions; beat Vauban readily last time and may have too much firepower for Honeysuckle now
Leopardstown 3.40 Facile Vega 1pt win @ 4’7 – Brilliant bumper horse; dominated his maiden hurdle at Fairyhouse; slightly less convincing, although a mistake at the last did not help, when beating stablemate Il Etait Temps here at Christmas; this is tougher again in all likelihood ; but is already odds on for Cheltenham and this is his for the taking
ITV Double 1pt ew Ciel De Neige ( firms offering 6 places ) & Pay The Piper