Sunday preview

All eyes will be fixed on Leopardstown on Sunday, not just for its excellent eight race card but also for the by now traiditional post-race workouts by a number of Cheltenham Festival contenders.

As far as the competitive fare is concerned, the Grade 2 Newlands Chase – transferred from Naas – tops the bill and Tranquil Sea‘s connections will be optimistic that their pride and joy can take the 2m contest en route to a tilt at the Ryanair Chase. Aran Concerto, Made In Taipan and Grand National hopes Snowy Morning and Ballyholland are also among a really good field.

Citizen Vic sprang a mild surprise when capturing the Grade 1 Dr PJ Moriarty Novice Chase here on Hennessy Day and if coping with the drop to 2m1f should be very hard to beat in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Novice Chase.

Araucaria, who is many people’s idea of a lively contender for the Festival Bumper, will need to win the finale to justify the trip to the Cotswolds.

There are several likely short-priced favourites at the day’s other fixture at Clonmel, and Taradoun may prove the pick of them in the 2m4f beginners chase now that Dallaglio is an absentee.

Categories: Horse racing