Leopardstown each-way tips (1610): Pats Choice looks interesting option for Jack Kennedy
Leopardstown watering ahead of big Christmas fixture
While the Irish Gold Cup managed to attract a high-quality but somewhat depleted four-runner field, the 13 starters lining up for the Ryanair Chase offer much more from a betting angle.
16:10 Leopardstown: Ryanair Handicap Chase (2 miles 1 furlong)
The early market has established Madara as the early favourite after three progressively improving outings at Cheltenham before Christmas, the last of which saw this promising five-year-old assert himself nicely in the final stages to win in tidy style under Harry Cobden.
If the favourite falters under a different rider, then there will be plenty ready to take advantage, with JJ Slevin looking sure to get a good run out of course-distance winner Solness, who won here last March, and has since only once been out of the top two in five outings, with one of his two wins coming in a career-best performance at Fairyhouse last time out nine weeks ago.
Another boasting serious credentials is The Big Chap, who landed back-to-back successes at Fairyhouse and Galway in October before a rare mistake caused him to be pulled up next time out in early December.
Planet Sport Bet Daily Special: Bet £20+ cash on any runner in the race and if The Big Chap finishes in the first four places, get a £5 Free Bet
Paul Flynn’s seven-year-old was last seen over this course and distance on Boxing Day, when he bounced back with a positive jumping display that saw him just fail to reel in opposing The Folkes Tiara, but nonetheless finish well clear of his other eight rivals.
Elsewhere, Gordon Elliott rarely enters this kind of race without realistic hopes of landing some prize money, and the morning withdrawal of Embittered leaves Grey Diamond and Pats Choice flying the prolific trainer’s flag.
Grey Diamond might be able to exploit the five-pound claim of Danny Gilligan, but more intriguing is stable jockey Jack Kennedy’s decision to opt for the latter of the two.
Pats Choice looks generously priced for an Elliott-trained horse that has won three of his ten attempts this term, and indeed has made the frame in 10 of his 13 outings since this time last year.
The seven-year-old gelding was last seen winning impressively at Naas three weeks ago, and it appears to be more than coincidence that his two most recent successes (he also won at Galway in October) were both piloted by Kennedy and bookended three unsuccessful efforts under Gilligan.
Suggested best bet: Pats Choice each-way in the 16:10 at Leopardstown
READ MORE: Saturday ITV racing tips: Best best for Sandown, Musselburgh and Leopardstown on February
