DAVY RUSSELL: Leopardstown Friday
Fingers crossed for some winners on Friday. This meeting just gets more and more competitive every year but I had a good spin on both Moon Over Germany (2nd) and High Expectations (3rd) on Thursday.
Day three on Friday and I have five booked rides.
FRIDAY
LEOPARDSTOWN
ERRATIC PATH (12.10pm)
Has his first start for Gordon (Elliott) and has been doing OK at home. Showed some ability on his hurdling debut in Tipperary and hopefully we can build on that effort. The ground will suit but there are some interesting looking entries here including French bumper winner Elite Charboniere who is trained by Willie Mullins.
SIRE DU BERLAIS (12.45pm)
He’s got some class as he showed with his fourth in the Martin Pipe back in March and may have needed his comeback run in Naas. He’s still quite lightly raced but has plenty of weight and this is ridiculously competitive. At the other end of the weights, Gordon also runs Satoshi who gave me a winner in Punchestown where he got the race in the stewards room. He struggled in a Grade 2 in Navan last time but gets a fighting weight here.
CRACKING SMART (1.50pm Christmas Hurdle Grade 1)
I won this last year on Apple’s Jade and the mare is surely the one we all have to beat as she attempts to repeat the success. My fella Cracking Smart has never finished out of the first two and has plenty of ability but this is a big ask after his lay off of nearly a year.
SERIOUS EGO (2.25pm)
Seldom runs a bad race and back up in trip having finished third in Thurles the last day over two miles. Should run his race but this looks very competitive with dangers including Mighty Stowaway who had back over hurdles having won twice over fences.
THE STORYTELLER (3.00pm Savills Chase Grade 1)
Great to be back onboard him – he’s played his part of a fantastic 2018 for me with wins at both the Cheltenham and Punchestown Festivals. This will be tough for him though however he was by no means disgraced when fourth of five in the John Durkan Memorial and should appreciate the extra trip here. Last year’s winner Road To Respect looked as good as ever when winning at Down Royal first time up this season and holds both Balko Des Flos and Outlander on that form.
DAVY
YOUR SAY
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