RACING: LEOPARDSTOWN FESTIVALFIRST LIEUTENANT could be the one giving bookmakers a bloody nose at Leopardstown this afternoon when he attempts to get his season back on track with a Grade One vengeance.
Last season’s Cheltenham festival hero is one of three Michael O’Leary-owned hopes among a field of nine for the Topaz Fort Leney Novice Chase and in many ways he is the one with most to prove.
Whereas Last Instalment comes here unbeaten in two over fences, and Crash was impressive when winning last time, the apparent Gigginstown number one was pulled up at Fairyhouse last month in the Drinmore.
Initial reports suggested he had burst a blood vessel, but trainer Mouse Morris is now convinced the blood coming from First Lieutenant’s nose was a result of him banging his head when making an appalling mistake at the halfway stage of the race.
Significantly Davy Russell has chosen to remain loyal to First Lieutenant, who tackles three miles now for the first time since his point-to-point days, and has, according to Morris, plenty more going for him today.
“Hopefully everything is in his favour for this. The ground has dried up and stepping up to three miles is what he’s always wanted as he won a point-to-point. That should all be to our advantage,” the trainer said yesterday.
“He had a week off after the Drinmore, he was just a bit stiff, but he’s great again now. This could be the best ground he’s ever raced on in Ireland, it will be as nice as Cheltenham for him, it looks beautiful.
“One of the other Gigginstown horses could be the main danger, Last Instalment, but I know Philip (Fenton) feels he wants it very deep. Michael Hourigan’s horse (Crash) wouldn’t be out of it either. If it wasn’t for the last day my fellow would be a very short price though,” he added.
Willie Mullins is doubly represented by the Clonmel winner Allee Garde and Raptor, who scored at Punchestown. Both should relish the step up to three miles while Paul Nolan’s decision to persist at Grade One level with the Drinmore runner-up Shinrock Paddy has to be respected.
However, a peak form First Lieutenant was capable last season of beating Rock On Ruby in the Neptune. If he’s anything near the same level he should be hard to beat.
Just half a dozen line up for the Grade Two Woodies Christmas Hurdle, including the Hatton’s Grace winner Voler La Vedette, who goes here on the drier ground rather than waiting for tomorrow’s Istabraq Festival Hurdle.
She is faced by a trio of Mullins horses including Mourad, who she comprehensively beat at Fairyhouse when breaking her Grade One duck.
These are different circumstances though in terms of both trip and ground and Mourad should also be sharper for a first start of the campaign.
A lack of pace in the early stages might also play against Voler La Vedette, who needs to settle to be at her best. If it comes down to a dour struggle from the last then Mourad may be the best option.
Mullins gives Make Your Mark a first start over flights in the opening maiden and there will be plenty of interest in how this Gigginstown prospect gets on. A point-to-point winner, there was plenty to like about the way this strapping sort powered 11 lengths clear of his opposition in a Punchestown bumper.
Mullins has an interesting runner in the handicap hurdle in Quiscover Fontaine, but this former very smart novice was beaten a long way on his previous start and the hat-trick seeking Dul Ar An Ol might be a better option.
Masked Phantom ran a better race than his 25 to 1 odds suggested he would when placed behind Kyle’s Turn at Punchestown earlier in the month and Eddie Harty’s runner can make a mark in the novice handicap.
:quality(70)/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/YVIRIOZQ35EWRPZXR27KGMO6YU.png)