Today's Tips: Douvan can deliver at Leopardstown
Two exceptionally exciting novice chasers, they finished first and third in last season’s Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham, and each time they met it was Douvan who finished in front of Sizing John. Both are expected to make better chasers, and there may not be as much between them over fences as there was over hurdles.
Douvan looked a natural on his debut over the larger obstacles, and can take this huge step up in grade in his stride. Sizing John will make up into a top-class sort in this discipline, but the testing conditions won’t bring out the best in him, and it’s quite likely we won’t see the best of him until the spring.
With three meetings in Ireland, there is plenty of choice for punters, and the nap goes to Noble Endeavor, who can take the opening race on a Down Royal card which should prove profitable for trainer Gordon Elliott and jockey Jack Kennedy.
Somewhat disappointing when beaten favourite at this track back in October, he ran a much better race when third behind Monksland and Roi Des Frances last time out at Gowran Park.
That form received two nice boosts when the winner went on to finish runner-up in a Grade 1, won by the selection’s stable companion No More Heroes, and runner-up Roi Des Francs ran out a ready winner of a beginners’ chase on his next start.
Noble Endeavor appeals as the type to develop into a high-class chaser and, with that experience under his belt, should prove too smart for Venitien De Mai.
Elliott and Kennedy can also take the two-mile-four maiden hurdle with Westend Star. On his first start since arriving from Donald McCain’s yard, he made rapid late progress to finish fifth behind high-class prospect Anibale Fly. That was over two miles, and the step up in trip for this easier looking race should ensure a first success for the six-year-old.
Whistle Dixie looks potentially well treated off a mark of 119 in the O’Kelly Brothers Mares’ Handicap Hurdle at Limerick, and she can ensure further success for Elliott. The mare was disappointing on her return at Galway, but built on that with an ultimately comfortable success last time out.
On that evidence a drop back in trip may not seem ideal, but she had fine bumper form against her own sex, and is likely to take another step forward. That being the case, she will be very hard to beat, despite having to carry top weight.
Treat Yourself catches the eye in the two-mile-one handicap chase at Leopardstown. Arthur Moore’s horse was a very easy winner over course and distance in January of 2014, and finished a fine second in this race last season.
As a result of some tame effort since, the eight-year-old has dropped to a mark just 4lbs higher than when winning here. Luke Dempsey’s 3lb claim is another bonus and, with a good pipe-opener at Fairyhouse under his belt, he should be primed for this race. With so much in his favour, he looks certain to put in a big run.
Others to appeal on a busy day are Buiseness Sivola and Outlander, both from the Willie Mullins stable.
