Leopardstown afternoon racing tips: Best bets for Thursday, December 28

Let's get ball rolling with some details on our selected horses at Newcastle, and there's a full list of our tips at the bottom of the page.

Don't forget to check out the full racecard, results and live odds in Planet Sport's racing live centre.

 

12:40 (Leopardstown) Heliko Conti

Heliko Conti was denied by half a length at Punchestown second up. Close to a victory on that form and should now be primed to strike. Has a big chance here.

West Away posted a much improved effort when a winner at Cork last time. Upped in the weights but may yet be capable of more.

Music Of Tara has placed on last four starts. Remains fairly weighted and expected to finish close up again here.

 

13:50 (Leopardstown) Home By The Lee

Joseph O’Brien’s Home By The Lee just falls short in the very best races but he won the Jack De Bromhead Christmas Hurdle last year and can repeat the dose.

He showed up well for a long way behind Bob Olinger on his return and this is likely his Gold Cup.

 

14:25 (Leopardstown) Fastorslow

Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting continues and it is the turn of the Gold Cup horses to strut their stuff in the Savills Chase.

And it really is a cracker with the current Gold Cup champion Galopin Des Champs taking on his Punchestown conqueror Fastorslow and new kid on the block Gerri Colombe.

Throw in A Plus Tard, the 2022 Gold Cup hero, and his stablemate Envoi Allen, and it looks a fascinating renewal.

While there is plenty of confidence behind Galopin Des Champs returning to his best, it would have been very un-Willie Mullins like to leave him too short in the John Durkan when he had no answer to Fastorslow for a second time.

Martin Brassil’s stable star showed more pace than many gave him credit for at Punchestown and can emerge as the leader of the pack outright.

 

15:00 (Leopardstown) Absolute Notions

Absolute Notions was an easy 12 length winner at Fairyhouse last time.

That was not much of a race however there is a suspicion he has been leniently treated for handicap debut. Likely key player.

Lucky Zero is rapidly progressive. Won four of last five starts and may go close again here.

Gaoth Chuil was beaten in a listed race tackling latest. Easy to fancy.

 

Leopardstown selections in full: 

LEOPARDSTOWN: 12.05 Jade De Grugy, 12.40 Heliko Conti, 1.15 Fact To File, 1.50 Home By The Lee, 2.25 Fastorslow, 3.00 Absolute Notions, 3.35 Sounds Victorious.