Sunday 5th March

MICHAEL - Leopardstown 3.45 - Mares Handicap Hurdle - 2 miles 4 furlongs - Yielding - 15 run
 
A competitive field and the top few look solid if unspectacular. Gaoth Chuil who has a win at Tramore and a place in a decent handicap before being more highly tried last time steps back in Class and rates the obvious favourite. Indie Belle was runner up in this race last year off a similar mark and who is very consistent for a Mare would be a banker e/w if that was the chosen plan but a few others were rated higher in my analysis. Bynx made a big step forward last time but how solid that form is at this sort of price is something I'd need convincing about before investing.
 
Lizlucky is the one i found toughest to lave out with form figures of 1-3-4-2 and if there was a non runner would become slot in 3rd pick. Game And Gory is in the Tracker and should be more at home on this drier ground but may just need this off a break of 3 months and Breezy Bell is also in the TRacker but I'm convinced is better at shorter. I'm adding Rambling Rose to the TRACKER as it was decent before a break of 518 days and one who'll be very interesting to follow.
 
I'm particularly keen on a couple and have more than a sneaking suspicion that one other is over-priced and worth having an early bet on as if it is as well handicapped as I think it's probable the money may come on-course.
 
TIME TO ROCCO had a nice win on the Inner Circuit at Fairyhouse and then a couple of third places, it looks to be running back in to form and overall looks solid at a nice price and this time of year / season may be ideal to catch her right. SCENIC LOOK  has won off a mark of 111, I noted her running well to this sort of distance before fading over 2 miles 6 furlongs at Navan last time, this drop in trip looks tailor made and ahe really does tick all the boxes and has no excuses off a mark of 113. I'll be disappointed if we don't get some sort of a return from both of those.
 
The one at big odds is Elliotts Country Queen and frankly I'd be putting this up if it was trained by anyone of around other 20 Trainers on form analysis, so not blinkered by the Trainers name. If you take the September win at Kilbeggan on face value and ignore the subsequent form on winter ground, the mark here of 113 with a 7lbs claimer is a bit eye-catching and at silly early odds I'll certainly invest.
 

TIPS - (1) Time To Rocco / (2) Scenic Look / (3) Country Queen

MICHAEL - Wexford 4.35 - Handicap Chase - 2 miles 4 furlongs - 15 run - Good to Yielding
 
It's hard to look too far past the top three in the market and Aohdag May, Finninans Row and Added Bonus may be worth some reverse F/Cast or T/Cast perm in that order of preference.
 
Of the remainder, Battle Of Benurb would be more strongly fancied over Hurdles, Capture The Drama is the sort of veteran with the Course and Distance form who can "pop up" at a nice price and LATEST MODEL is one who I want to TRACK after today as it has shown some promise over hurdles.
 
The standout each way poke though may be DEFINITELY DARSI who ran well to a point over 3 miles last time out and who should be suited by the drop in trip. It's one that has some scope over Chase fences and in a moderate field looks the most likely to be staying on in to an enhanced place, or even the first 3 if any of the market leaders slip up.
 
TIP - Definitely Darsi