Leopardstown 4.37 - Handicap Chase Dublin National - 3 miles 4 and 1/2 furlongs - 14 run - Yielding

 

It;s hard to rule too many completely out here at either end of the handicap or market.

 

At the top end of the market Union Station is very inexperienced and steps up a mile in trip, One Horse Army goes for a hat-trick off a 9lbs penalty and with collateral form with 2 others that suggests he will be very vulnerable. Morronstown looks a very likely pace angle here that will make it a true test of stamina and I anticipate that one leading them well in the closing 3 furlongs of the race. Evies Vladimir takes a marked drop in Class off a declining mark and just missed the cut in terms of investment as did the 33/1 shot Weihnachts who can pop up from time to time and who may well be worth a quid each way on that hunch that a big run would not be a complete surprise.

 

It was also plausible to think that Made In Woods who could slowly be coming to hand and the very unexposed and markedly up in trip Iris Emery for Willie Mullins may take a hand too. 

 

I was however left with a clear top 3 with enhanced betting to 4th place.

 

BRUCEJACK is in the TRACKER (see below) and very well handicapped still on teor excellent runs at this sort of enhanced trip, on form you cannot discount him and I won't. BRANDT was hampered in the closing stages in the race won by One Horse Army last time out, he too deserves a win and 7/1 is a fair each way price.

 

If there is one at bigger odds whose collateral form deserves a close look at it's WINE AN DINE, an Elliott horse whose bare form doesn't really inspire but closer analysis shows he was a staying on 5th to One Horse Army and despite being beaten that day by 14 lengths, he was doing his best work late on over 2 furlongs shorter and as if by magic he is 14 lbs better off with One Horse Army today. The handicapper has therefore given him a chance to finish upsides One Horse Army at a bigger market price. (Michael G)

 

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