The first runner of the day at Leopardstown on Friday comes in the 3-Y-O Maiden Hurdle and we like the look of the Gordon Elliott trained Saint D'oroux.
This three year old gelding has some of the strongest form claims heading into this contest finishing a decent fourth last time out in a Grade Three contest.
Obviously dropping back to a maiden is a plus after what he produced at Fairyhouse and with perfect soft conditions this gelding will not be to far away.
After a superb day of racing on day one at the Irish track with plenty of big stars on show the second day of the Christmas meeting shows the same with a few of them in this contest.
In this Beginners Chase we are siding with last year's Ballymore Novices Hurdle winner at the Cheltenham festival and now tackling the bigger obstacles he could be a serious chaser.
The six year old managed to land four of his six contests last season and although being patiently waited on this term by his trainer Martin Brassil, he should come back with a bang.
The first Grade One of the afternoon comes in the Paddy's Rewards Club Chase over 2 mile 1 furlong and in this line up full of superstars Chacun Pour Soi is the main attraction.
This Willie Mullins trained seven year old could really turn out to be anything after having only ran twice for the trainer in three years with a career littered with injuries.
In his two runs the gelding has been superb winning at Naas in March of this year in a beginners chase and then he rounded off the season by winning the Grade One Ryanair Novice Chase seeing off the Arkle and JLT winners at the Cheltenham.
He looks one of the bankers of the day for punters at a short price but is highly exciting for the future.
A day full of black type races at Leopardstown continues with the Grade One Champions Novices Hurdle and Abacadabras for Gordon Elliott has the pick of the form.
The five year old has started his life over hurdles this season in great style and looks to be one of the big contenders for the Supreme Novices Hurdle at Cheltenham in March.
He landed a decent contest at Gowran on his seasonal debut and then went on to take a Grade Three at Navan showing clear progression.
Last time out, although finishing second, saw him give his best performance to date when a narrow second to the superstar Envoi Allen in a Grade One at Fairyhouse and that sets the form standard in this one.
The two mile handicap hurdle sees a huge field of runners head to post and that is why we have two selections for the contest both at a nice price.
The first is the Henry De Bromhead trained Moon Over Germany and this eight year old gelding is an overly consistent runner who landed a superb Grade Three at Aintree last season to put his name on the map.
This season he has also been running to a high standard winning at Ballinrobe in August before a decent third at Tipperary behind some nice horses and a strong second at Punchestown behind a Grade One winner next time out.
The other horse at a bigger price and is advised at an each way bet is the Gavin Cromwell trained Ilikedwayurthinkin who won his first two contests of the season at Galway before struggling last time out but if putting that behind him and getting back to his summer form he enters calculations here.
The Grade B Paddy Power Chase is another contest that advertises a huge field of runners to post meaning we have two selections at decent prices.
Our first selection is the Henry De Bromhead trained Poker Party who landed the Kerry National Chase at Listowel last time out and although eight pounds higher he holds winning credentials.
Any Second Now is another runner at a bigger price that takes the eye after finishing second to the smart hurdler now chaser Battleoverdoyen, which reads well.
The final race of the day is the bumper contest and Ragnar Lodbrok for the Giggingstown Stud operation could turn out to be a rising star.
The four year old was bought for just under €100,000 euros in total with two different transactions as a yearling and three year old.
He made his debut in a big fielded event at Fairyhouse finishing third behind a smart Willie Mullins horse and if coming on for that experience should give another bold showing.
