Boxing Day action and Leopardstown today

Yesterday, saw Cape Tribulation win the Rowland Meyrick and Long Run 'stay' his way to a 2nd King George. Both on 'King Wenceslas ground' ... Deep, uncrisp but even.

Hope you all had a great Christmas and are looking forward to New Year.

Yesterday saw the usual glut of Boxing Day racing and runs from some potential National contenders. Our fancy, Cape Tribulation, won very well at Wetherby and to be honest his price of 7/2 was great value as he was 16lb lower back over fences than his hurdle mark. He is a really consistent type who the handicapper must love to use as a yardstick and must be a pleasure to own. Aintree could be on the agenda one day and bear in mind he has never fell.

We also had the winner of the King George in Long Run and although a burst of finishing speed saw him through, as thought, he effectively stayed better than the rest. It seems more and more imperative for him to need a stamina test these days. We could have him as a future National type, but not under the current jockey, although we'll leave that discussion for now. I wouldn't discount anything from that race next time out as most didn't stay on the ground though obviously the next few ran with great credit, particularly Captain Chris. The main National contender in the race was Junior who tried to make all before fizzling and was beaten 28 lengths. A 3lb rise for winning a very soft renewal of the Rehearsal Chase last time may also burden him back in H'cap company so he's a little stuck for options now and we watch with interest where he goes next. He may have missed his big Aintree chance when not getting in the race in 2011.

Some quality racing today too, however we've had the misfortune of losing Chepstow, therefore our main interest today is at Leopardstown where they run the Paddy Power Steeplechase at 3.10pm.  A very competitive h'cap with a first prize of 106,800 euros, many trainers will have been targeting this for a while.  It's not too often you can say that horses has travelled over to Ireland for better ground but that will be the case today for Alfie Sherrin and Prince Of Pirates. We like the former who is still on a realistic weight, is proven over trip/ground and his Cheltenham and Fairyhouse form are top-notch. He has a real shout but has been bypassed by AP who rides Colbert Station.  As for Prince Of Pirates, he appears to have too much weight for his form and may be there in an attempt by JP McManus to try and have every runner in a 28 runner h'cap !! After all he does have 7 (25% of field) and also has the 2nd reserve.

Looking back at last year's National, the bottom horse got in off 132 so quite a few of these could turn up at Aintree.

Of the home side, Tharawaat came 8th at Aintree this year, but it's interesting to see Gordon Elliott comment this morning that the ground is probably not soft enough, though he is a thorough stayer. He prefers his Romanesco who may have each-way claims under Nina Carberry. Like Your Style is very much progressing the right way and can figure. Glenquest may be better on softer but has the right credentials. We don't like either of the favourites, Colbert Station or Glam Gerry. Yes, they're unexposed but too many questions to be answered.

Our fancy is Ninetieth Minute (pictured below), who was a very good hurdler, and has some decent chase form, particularly at Punchestown last May. He has the measure of Like Your Style, who we previously mentioned, based on that run. Mr Taaffe must rate him and think he stays as he was sent off at 10/1 for the Irish National. At around 14/1 he makes for value.

Happy punting !

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