The Betway ambassador previews his four rides on Sunday at Leopardstown, headlined by the two-time Cheltenham Gold Cup winner at his favourite track.
Four rides on a great card at Leopardstown on Sunday
I start Sunday’s card on Kiss Will / in the Beginners Chase (13:20). He’ll have come on plenty from his first run over fences in Fairyhouse on heavy ground. I’d have thought he needed the run that day – I felt he had a chance coming down to the last but got tired towards home. The run under his belt will benefit him, although it’s a hot enough race. In opposition we have Shuffle The Deck, who has some nice form in the book, and Koktail Divin, who has been second twice this season to a couple of good horses – Romeo Coolio and Oscars Brother.
The Grade 1 Christmas Hurdle (13:55) is a cracking race. I’m riding Ballyburn / as we look to reverse places with Teahupoo from Fairyhouse last month. There was nothing between them in the Hatton’s Grace and I think both will improve for going up to three miles. Ballyburn is a tricky ride but hopefully the freshness from that first run will be gone out of him. I think he’ll get the trip no problem – he’s bred to. I guess there will be nothing between them again and in another stride in Fairyhouse I think I was up. We’ll all be much wiser after a great race, I’m sure. Hopefully we come out of it the right side this time.
When you get the declarations sheet and see your name next to Galopin Des Champs / it’s a great day. I ride him in the Savills Chase (14:30). What a horse! He’s so good around Leopardstown – I think it’s his favourite track. He obviously missed the John Durkan this year, but we’ve got plenty of work into him. I can’t wait to get back on him again. He’s the horse of a lifetime and it’s good even when you see yourself down to ride him out at home.
In opposition, it’s good to see Gerri Colombe back after more than a year out. We’ve also got Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Inothewayurthinkin. Fastorslow made his comeback in the John Durkan after being off the track for a long time as well and I can see massive improvement in him. There’s a lot of depth in the race and it’s very competitive but I’m happy to be on mine.
The stable run four in the Pertemps Hurdle Qualifier (15:05), and I’ve gone for Eclipse Chaser / . He was a little bit disappointing at Navan the last day when beaten by a well-touted Kalypso’chance, on heavy. The ground will suit him more at Leopardstown and I thought he was open to the most improvement. He’s not exposed and we’ll know a bit more afterwards. He should have no problem with the trip and the ground so that’s where I expect the improvement. He impressed me at Navan back in September when winning well.
I can’t be in two places at once, but I’ll be watching Limerick on TV on Sunday
I’ll be watching the course TVs at Leopardstown on Sunday to see how Final Demand gets on at Limerick in the Faugheen Novice Chase. He was ‘foot perfect’ for me in Navan. He’s a really exciting horse and he’s also up against some decent opposition.
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