Karoline Banbou can make it third time lucky in Beginners Chase at Leopardstown
Jay Pee M runs in the John Thomas McNamara Series Handicap Chase. Pic: Healy Racing
Karoline Banbou has found one too good on both starts this season but the Willie Mullins-trained mare can make it third time lucky over fences in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase at Leopardstown on Tuesday.
Fourth in the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at last year’s Cheltenham Festival, Karoline Banbou began life over fences at Fairyhouse in December where she beat all bar Jacob’s Ladder, a horse who has gone on to win a listed race at the Dublin Racing Festival before striking at Grade Three level at Navan last Saturday.
Karoline Banbou returned to Fairyhouse in January where she again finished second, this time to stablemate Port Joulain, who finished third to Jacob’s Ladder at the weekend.
This looks a weak beginners’ chase so it’ll be a disappointment if she fails to get her head in front this time.
Mullins runs two in the bumper and Room For One More, a half-sister to 2021 King George winner Tornado Flyer, gets the vote ahead of stablemate Ruby Grace.
Jay Pee M can defy top weight in the John Thomas McNamara Series Handicap Chase.
The Terence O’Brien-trained seven-year-old has done the bulk of his racing over hurdles, most recently finishing third at Thurles at the end of January, his ninth winless race over the smaller obstacles.
However, he has won two of his four starts over fences, a record he may be able to enhance on Tuesday. Of his rivals, money for the Ross O’Sullivan-trained Favori Logique on his first start for 573 days would be worth noting but Jay Pee M looks the one to beat.
Le Moulin Rouge can get the day off to the best possible start for punters by winning the opening maiden hurdle.
Trained by Paul Nolan, this horse began his career under Rules by finishing third at Wexford in October before running a big race at a big price to finish second at Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting.
He probably won’t need to improve on that effort to get off the mark at the third time of asking.
Like Le Moulin Rouge, Torpille Dagrostis is looking to make it third time lucky over hurdles having twice finished second at Punchestown since the turn of the year. The 1888 Restaurant Mares Maiden Hurdle looks a good opportunity for the Gordon Elliott-trained mare to get her head in front and she should take the chance.
1.55 Le Moulin Rouge
2.25 Torpille Dagrostis
2.55 Maxios Prime
3.25 Pookie Holler
3.55 Karoline Banbou (Nap)
4.25 Dameauscottlestown
4.55 Jay Pee M (NB)
5.30 Room For One More
1.55 Generous Risk
2.25 Alliteration
2.55 Shoda
3.25 Daydream Nation
3.55 Net Boy
4.25 Killaney King
4.55 Favori Logique
5.30 Ruby Grace
