Leopardstown racing best bet: Grangeclare West to confirm superiority over Corbetts Cross
Leopardstown forced to go behind closed doors for Christmas Festival
Just six runners line up to contest Leopardstown’s biggest chasing prize of the day, and Tipstrr pundit Steve Jones expects the favourite to be given a serious run for that money.
13:45 Leopardstown: Neville Hotels Novice Chase (3 miles 100 yards)
Willie Mullins has won two of the last three renewals of this race and here he relies on Grangeclare West, whose connections will hope to confirm last month’s Naas form with the reopposing Corbetts Cross, who has been installed as the early market leader, having since won at Fairyhouse.
The pair of them were making their chasing debuts when finishing first and third in what was a decent-looking beginners’ chase over two and half testing miles on that testingNaas track.
Grangeclare West left his final two hurdling performances well behind as he relished switching to fences on his seasonal debut following a break of 200 days.
Two of the fences in the straight were omitted which, according to Paul Townend, was a disadvantage to Grangeclare West, whose jumping was his main asset.
The fact that the seven year-old was still able to win by almost three lengths despite the long run-in underestimates his superiority and he is an exciting prospect in this sphere.
Suggested bet: Grangeclare West in the 13:45 at Leopardstown
- Tip advised by Steve Jones who runs CD Systems Daily Bargain on Tipstrr
The well-held runner-up, Heart Wood, has since finished runner-up to another Mullins chaser, Blood Destiny, and Corbetts Cross, who finished over nine lengths behind Grangeclare West (on level terms), didn’t jump anywhere near as well as the impressive winner.
Corbetts Cross improved to win a 21.5-furlong beginners’ chase at Fairyhouse at the start of this month, but he got home by less than a length from a chasing debutant, Three Card Brag, despite having the advantage of previous chasing experience.
Corbetts Cross jumped better than he had when well-beaten by Grangeclare West at Naas, but he still didn’t jump as well as that winner did, even though it was the six-year-old’s second outing over fences.
Still unbeaten in this sphere after that highly encouraging Naas victory, Grangeclare West looks likely to improve again on this second start over fences over this longer trip, and he looks one to follow in this sphere.
Meanwhile, Corbetts Cross is now getting his act together over fences, which means he merits serious respect because he was in the process of running a very big race when running out at the last in the Grade 1 Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle at this year’s Cheltenham Festival.
Next best bet: Corbetts Cross in the 13:45 at Leopardstown
READ MORE: Leopardstown racing tips: Best bets Friday December 29
