Fastorslow can build on promising return and land Savills Chase spoils
The Christmas Hurdle and the Savills Chase are the features on Sunday’s card in Leopardstown and the nap goes to Ballyburn, who will appreciate the step up three miles when he contests the former.
After a season over fences which didn’t go to plan, he reverted to hurdling for the Hatton’s Grace and, after looking to be in all sorts of trouble before the turn for home, he finished off his race powerfully to push Teahupoo, who re-opposes, to a nose.
While both with appreciate the longer trip, the selection is the younger and less exposed of the pair, and he can reverse Fairyhouse form in style.
The Savills Chase is a difficult one for punters as market leader Galopin Des Champs is having his first start of the season and, rising 10, is entitled to need it. Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Inothewayurthinkin was a long way below form on his return to action, and may need another run to put him where he needs to be for a defence of his title.
Therefore, preference is for Fastorslow, who, after a year off, ran a fine race in the John Durkan. A terrific jumper with proven class, he can be expected to take a huge step forward for that run, and can make a bold bid.
In the Pertemps Network Handicap Qualifier, Yeah Man makes plenty of appeal of his low mark over hurdles. Gavin Cromwell’s eight-year-old developed into a smart chaser in recent seasons, and currently holds a mark of 143 in that sphere.
Entirely unexposed over hurdles, with just three runs under his belt, and with a rating of just 118 and the added bonus of Eoin Staples’ 7lb claim, he ought to be hard to beat.
In Limerick, all the focus will be on Final Demand in the Grade One Guinness 0.0 Faugheen Novice Chase. Widely seen as one of the most exciting recruits to chasing for many a year, he was deeply impressive winning his beginners’ chase at Navan and that effort was very much in keeping with expectation which surrounded him all of last season.
It is disappointing that he has only three rivals, two of which are stablemates, and he can be expected to stamp his class on proceedings. Jimmy Du Seuil is on the up and was also impressive on his only start to date over fences. He is the obvious one to chase him home.
The Campion Insurance Tim Duggan Memorial is always a hot race, and while she is quite frustrating, insofar as she is still a maiden over fences, Karia Des Blaises has leading claims off her mark of 135.
Conyers Hill is an obvious player, coming here on the back of a fine fourth in the Paddy Power Gold Cup at the November meeting in Cheltenham.
12:10 Mighty Park
12:45 The Nagger Reidy
1:20 Kiss Will
1:55 Ballyburn (Nap)
2:30 Fastorslow
3:05 Yeah Man (NB)
3:40 Bentraghhill
12:10 Le Moulin Rouge
12:45 Hgranca De Thaix
1:20 Koktail Divin
1:55 Teahupoo 2:30
Inothewayurthinkin
3:05 Jordans
3:40 Lemmy Caution
12:30 King Rasko Grey
1:05 Minella Emperor
1:40 Final Demand
2:15 Karia Des Blaises
2:50 Thegraveyardbookie
3:25 Wakey Wakey Man
3:55 Looking For Eight
12:30 I Started A Joke
1:05 Panjandrum
1:40 Jimmy Du Seuil
2:15 Conyers Hill
2:50 Collaborative
3:25 Warmer Days Ahead
3:55 Rojuco Mac
