Leopardstown Sunday Preview - 07/03/21

The first selection of the day from Leoaprdstown comes in the 2m4f Maiden Hurdle and the horse that takes the eye is the Willie Mullins trained Fly Smart.

The six year old gelding for top connections Rich and Susannah Ricci is having his first start for the yard having been bought after two runs in France back in 2018.

He has not been seen on a racecourse for over two years, but showed clear signs that he was a smart prospect with bags of potential.

Back in 2018 he won on the flat on his first ever racecourse run and then went to Auteuil and finished a fine second in very soft ground over 2m2f.

The gelding has obviously been tough to train and maybe slightly fragile but could be a very smart prospect for the thriving yard.

One of the bankers of the day in Ireland on Sunday is the short priced French Dynamite for Mouse Morris who has taken his form to a new level this term.

Having shown ability last term in minor events, the expensive six year old has been twice this term in Graded company and now dropping back to a race like this makes him the one to beat.

French Dynamite made his seasonal debut in November at Navan when just being beaten by dual Cheltenham festival winner Sire Du Berlais.

He was then stepped up to three miles last time out at Leopardstown in the Grade One Christmas Hurdle and although running well for the most part of the race, faded late on when not staying the trip.

He drops back to 2m2f today which should suit him perfectly and he oozes class in this field.

Willie Mullins is set to have a cracking day at Leopardstown at the weekend and in the Mares Maiden Hurdle over 2m4f Royal Illusion looks a huge player.

The nine year old is fairly unexposed for age not being seen all that often and during her career has done most her work on the flat.

She has some great scalps during her career including when winning the 2019 Irish Cesarewitch at the Curragh and with that she is also a winner on the flat over 1m5f at this track.

Royal illusion has only been seen over hurdles once and it came in a Mares Maiden at Naas in December over two miles when a good third behind some smart types.

If she can handle the extra half a mile today she is a big player.

The penultimate selection of the afternoon sees us side with the JP McManus owned Steer Clear for trainer Padraig Roche in the 2m1f Novice Chase.

This eight year old has shown a mixed bag of form during his career, but on his best showings, getting weight off the field he could be a nice bet on Sunday.

He has been seen twice this term , winning on his seasonal debut at Thurles over 2m2f, but unfortunately could not back that up last time out when unseating his rider over the same course and distance.

If putting his jumping right in this event he is weighted to go close.

The final selection from us comes in the feature race on the card, the Grade B 2m5f Handicap Chase and the horse at a nice price we are going with is Midnight Maestro for Enda Bolger.

The nine year old looks to have a big chance in this event if bouncing back to form after being pulled up last time out at Punchestown in the 3m4f Grand National trial.

His form before that run shaped up really well, landing a Handicap Chase over course and distance at Leopardstown and although 9lb higher for that win can make his presence felt back at a trip he handles.

Still looks to be on a good mark.