Watsy the one to beat in Christmas Oaks decider

There is €7,000 up for grabs in tonight’s final of the Gain Dog Foods Christmas Oaks at Shelbourne Park and the Denis Hannon owned and trained Springwell Watsy earns a narrow vote to follow up last week’s impressive display.

The selection goes particularly well from trap two but will need to be on her toes early to lead Leeview Lady, drawn one, in those crucial first 50 yards. If she can get the better of that rival at that stage, she will be very hard to beat. She stays well over this trip and has the class to hold all comers at bay.

Coolavanny Pandy ran the selection closest in the semi-finals but has a tricky draw between that rival and flying starter Lislevane Swift this time. She’ll have to take a real flyer to avoid early trouble and thus Leeview Lady, who could represent some value, is the one to follow Springwell Watsy home.

Elsewhere on the card, Crown Champ should be very hard to beat in the open sprint. Aidan McVeigh’s dog showed signs of a return to his very best form when runner-up behind the classy Jumeirah Champ on his most recent outing, and a repeat of that level of form should be good enough. He has a good-looking draw, in trap two, and can lead all the way, at the expense of Whisht A Mhic.

It may be worth taking a chance that Jacks Top Gal can reverse last week’s form with De Real Mccoy when they line up for the final of the Gain Brown Bread Nuggets A1 525. The bitch looks drawn to lead down the inside and may be able to steal a march on her rivals. De Real Mccoy, though not ideally drawn, is the most obvious danger.