I’m off to Ireland to see a maximum field of 30 go to post for the big race of weekend in the shape of Leopardstown’s Pierse Hurdle (2.20pm Sunday), and it could well pay to side with an improving youngster at the foot of the weights.
You’re going to need a healthy dollop of lady luck having a bet in a race of this nature, but boost your chances by picking a horse and importantly a jockey with the nous and experience to navigate their way through the choppy waters of a rough and tumble big field handicap.
Well backed horses in the feature event so far this week include Tony Martin’s Psycho (at least joint favourite in every bookmaker’s list), Jessie Harrington’s Alpine Eagle, and Michael Hourigan’s Dancing Tornado.
All are well weighted since Newmill’s declaration has compressed the weights, and all three have plenty going for them, but the one I really like is Willie Mullins’ Imperial Hills at a tempting 10/1 each way with Paddy Power.
A penalty puts the tongue-tied five-year-old smack in on 10 stone proper, and the impression he created when winning a competitive 19-runner race over course and distance on the Sunday of the Christmas meeting was more than favourable.
Mullins’ horses are on fire at present, and although the form of his win that day gives the second horse Fen Game a cracking chance now he has a handy pull at the weights, I’m confident Imperial Hills is improving at a fast enough race to play a big hand in this.
Paul Townend’s win on Indian Pace in the Galway Hurdle was a typical display of assurance from a young jockey going places, and the fact he retains the mount on Imperial Hills can only be a bonus.
The other horse on the card who merits close attention is Tom Taaffe’s Finger On the Pulse; who lines up in the Leopardstown’s Handicap Chase at 1.45pm.
The weather ruled out a his latest Cheltenham tilt at the Boylesports meeting before Christmas, but the Jewson Novices’ Handicap Chase winner at the Cheltenham Festival back in March ran a solid race behind the Noland at Down Royal in November, and aided by the fact Mister Top Notch runs to keep the weights down, he can get his name on the scoresheet in this weaker race.
The price won’t be anything spectacular (expect around 2/1), but with a revitalised Barry Geraghty doing the steering he has a great chance of gracing the winner’s enclosure.
Good luck!
