Top jockeys set for short sprint

DOWN ROYAL PREVIEW:STAMINA MAY be the usual priority at Leopardstown on St Stephen's Day, but Ireland's top jump riders will hope to show some sprint power in a jockeys challenge with a difference.

Some top weighroom performers, including Davy Russell, Paddy Flood and David Casey, will line up in a unique Goal sprint in the Leopardstown parade ring to promote the charity’s mile events run around the country this Christmas.

The race will be run from one end of the parade ring to the other. It will be shown live on RTÉ and is due off at approximately 1pm, between the second and third races.

It’s very much business as usual, however, at Down Royal, with performers like the top hunter Agus A Vic appearing in the hunters chase and former champion trainer Noel Meade expected to hit the scoresheet with Lean Times in the bumper.

Tony Martin is another trainer to reckon with here over Christmas, and Saddlers Storm looks one to keep an eye on in the two-and-a-half-mile handicap chase after a decent fourth to Mighty Bob at Navan at the start of the month.

Another to check out looks to be Miss Pepperpot in the opening maiden hurdle. Her sole start over jumps to date at Fairyhouse last April didn’t yield much, but she put in a much more encouraging effort at Naas when third in a bumper to the promising Thegreatjohnbrowne.

Posh Bird got edged out by Honest Man at Downpatrick last week but can go one better in the Opportunity handicap hurdle.