Leopardstown TTC Saturday Preview

The first race at Leopardstown on Saturday comes in the Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Chase over 2 miles and we have selected Just Get Cracking trained by James Daniel Dullea.

This eight year old is a gelding that is the majority of the time a very consistent type and in his four runs this season has only been out of the placings once, winning one of them.

Last time out at Limerick he got of the mark for the season in good style beating a 12 runner field over hurdles going back over fences is not a problem and even though he is fairly exposed he has a lot of experience over these obstacles.

The second selection from Ireland comes in the Pigsback.com Maiden Hurdle over 2 miles 4 furlongs and we have gone with the Noel Meade trained Dream Conti.

This five year has only raced in one bumper and one hurdle race in his career and looks to be a really smart talent for this trainer. He is one of two Gigginstown runners and looks to be the pick of the two.

When he started his career in a bumper at Fairyhouse he got off the mark in style beating some useful horses and then on his hurdles debut he placed behind a young hurdler that will go on to win Grade 1s in Tornado Flyer.

The next horse that we fancy from Leopardstown comes in the way of the Willie Mullins trained Limini in the first Graded race of the day, the Advent Insurance Irish EBF Mares Hurdle.

This seven year old when she first came on the seen was supposed to be the next superstar for Mullins and Rich Ricci and lived up to that name winning at the Cheltenham Festival in the mares race.

After that she picked up an injury and when she came back she couldn't find her groove over hurdles and tried her trade over the flat and was successful in Ireland.

Now she is back over hurdles and has some nice place runs to her name especially her latest when finishing third in the Grade 1 Hatton's Grace behind Apple's Jade and realistically this Grade 3 should be comfy for her.

The fourth race on the card is the Grade 1 Neville Hotels Novice Chase over 3 miles and the black type contest see's many Gigginstown owned horses entered and we have chosen Delta Work.

This Gordon Elliott trained five year old is going in search of his hat trick on Saturday and will be saddled by the yards top jockey Davy Russell. Last season he came onto the racing scene when landing the Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3) at the Cheltenham Festival.

This season he is unbeaten going on to land two decent races against some good competitors. The first was in his seasonal debut over fences at Down Royal in a begginners chase and from there he went to Fairyhouse and landed the BARONERACING.COM Drinmore Novice Chase (Grade 1).

This really put this horse on the map as a chaser and if performing to his usual standard should take this race comfortably.

The feature race of the day on Saturday at Leopardstown is the Grade 1 Ryanair Hurdle over 2 miles which features some of the best Irish hurdling horses across the country.

With so many big stars it is tough to pick a winner but we have sided with the Gigginstown owned and Gordon Elliott trained hurdling prodigy of last season that is Samcro.

This six year old has not quite been at his best this season and has not had his ideal ground conditions but now back in Ireland and having two strong runs under his belt this surely is his last chance to get back on track before trying to take the Champion Hurdle at the festival in March.

The penultimate race of the day in Dublin comes in the Irish EBF Handicap Hurdle over 2 miles 4 furlongs and we have gone with the Thomas Mullins trained Court Maid.

This five year old is going in search of a hat trick tomorrow and is still fairly treated in the weights for his recent success. He has great form claims only being outside the top two places once in his last six races in which he has won three of them.

Saturday will be a step up for the young hurdler but he has a great chance to extend his fine run of form and with top jockey David Mullins on board he has a right chance.

The final race of the day at Leopardstown comes in the National Hunt Flat Race over 2 miles and we have gone for the Willie Mullins trained Mt Leinster to win.

This four year old has ran in two bumpers to date and in the first one he absolutely bolted up at Ballinrobe and then the second race of his career he finished a good second when bumping into a great prospect owned by Cheveley Park Stud in Malone Road.

This horse is a smart youngster who has a great turn of foot that has something to prove off the back of his last run as he will be heading for the Champion Bumper at the Festival.