Thursday 28th December 2023
Author: Jordan Yates (EvRacing_)
Welcome aboard to Thursday’s Christmas Racing Preview where the focus solely turns to Leopardstown where it’s Savills Chase Day, I’ll have several selections throughout the afternoon once again, so make sure to gamble responsibly if you are punting.
Prices correct as of 12:30 27/12
1.15: Ballymaloe Relish Rising Stars Beginners Chase: My first selection of the day comes in the 1.15 which is a beginner’s chase over two miles and five furlongs. I think that this can go to Fact To File who currently heads the betting for Willie Mullins and Mark Walsh. He was highly progressive in bumpers last term and was sent straight over fences this season and finished second to American Mike and chasing debut last month, he should build on that run here and put in a big effort. I believe he’s still an exciting prospect for top connections. Fact To File – 6/5F (Win)
1.50: Jack de Bromhead Christmas Hurdle: Next up it’s the 1.50 which is the Jack de Bromhead Christmas Hurdle which is a Grade 1 event contested over two miles and seven and a half furlongs. I’m siding with Irish Point here who’s currently a 13/8 chance in the betting for Gordon Elliott and Jack Kennedy. He’s a highly progressive prospect who signed off his season last term with Grade 1 success at Aintree in April before opening his account for the current campaign in a Grade 3 event at Down Royal in November. I think there’s a lot more to come from him and he should go very close here. Irish Point – 13/8 (Win)
2.25: Savills Chase: The feature event of the day comes up at 2.25 which is the Savills Chase, a Grade 1 affair that’s ridden over three miles and half of a furlong. I’ve gone with Galopin Des Champs in this year’s renewal of the race, he’s been beaten twice since winning the Gold Cup a Cheltenham, but I believe there are plenty of positives to take from his comeback effort when third in the John Durkan at Punchestown last month. He traveled well that day and should come a lot for the run, if anywhere near his best he should take a lot of beating. Galopin Des Champs – 7/4JF (Win)
3.00: Pertemps Handicap Hurdle: My fourth and final selection of the afternoon comes in the Pertemps Handicap at 3.00, and I’m siding with Absolute Notions here for Gordon Elliott and Danny Gilligan who takes off five pounds. He fits the bill of a graded horse in a handicap for me, and I think he’s much the best of these and it would be a disappointment should he not post a very bold bid. He hacked up by twelve lengths on his seasonal reappearance last month, and I think there’s a lot more to come from him. Absolute Notions – 9/2F (Win)
