The Christmas Festival at Leopardstown comes to an end on Sunday afternoon with two more Grade 1s as they bring the curtain down on a cracking four days in Dublin.
Sunday’s highlight is the Grade 1 Neville Hotels Hurdle over two miles and there are some excellent supporting races at Leopardstown. We have three fancies to follow from Ireland.
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Sunday tips
- 12:10 Leopardstown – Argento Boy – SP
- 14:30 Leopardstown – Brighterdaysahead – 11/4
- 15:05 Leopardstown – Comfort Zone – SP
12:10 Leopardstown – Argento Boy – SPIt’s been a mixed week for Willie Mullins and Paul Townend – and there could well be further big-race disappointment here – but they can get the afternoon off on a good note with ARGENTO BOY in the opening Grant Fit Out Maiden Hurdle over 2m4f.He runs in the familiar silks of Galopin Des Champs’ owner Mrs Audrey Turley and he won a Fairyhouse bumper in January on his Rules bow before coming up shy in Grade 1 company at Cheltenham and Punchestown.He returned for his hurdling bow at Punchestown (2m5½f, soft) last month and chased home Henry De Bromhead’s promising Rules newcomer The Big Westerner, who franked that form by winning a Grade 2 novice event at Limerick on Thursday.Argento Boy should be all set to open his account now.14:30 Leopardstown – Brighterdaysahead – 11/4The one Mullins/Townend are really looking for a big run from is State Man in the Grade 1 Neville Hotels Hurdle.After Lossiemouth proved no match for Constitution Hill at Kempton on Boxing Day, the reigning Champion Hurdler could do with getting his revenge on BETTERDAYSAHEAD following last month’s Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown.The mare was defeated at the Cheltenham Festival in March, but that remains her sole reverse in nine starts and she has rebounded with a trio of wins that showed her true ability.She had every chance to fold last time when State Man got in front at the last, but she showed a willing attitude to get back up and can rubberstamp that form by giving Sam Ewing yet another big-race win on what has been a superb week for the rider.15:05 Leopardstown – Comfort Zone – SPAnother man enjoying a stellar Christmas is Joseph O’Brien. He sent out Banbridge to win the King George on Boxing Day and bagged a Grade 1 with Solness here 24 hours later.His team are in superb fettle and COMFORT ZONE goes for the €60,000 payout in the Listed Neville Hotels Premier Handicap Hurdle.He’s closely matched with So Scottish for Emmet Mullins in the same JP McManus silks and their Galway effort behind progressive winner The Wallpark in August looks very good now.Comfort Zone gets 1lb from his rival now and it should be close between them.On his most recent start, the selection won a Naas handicap over 2m on the Flat in October off a mark of 86 and the five-year-old should go well under Simon Torrens as the Piltown trainer looks to round off a superb few days.
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