Turf luck

LEOPARDSTOWN'S card today has been held over from Friday and provided conditions haven't worsened overnight after yesterday's meeting the day will begin with the reappearance of leading Champion Hurdle hope Like A Butterfly in the Grade One December Festival Hurdle at 12.00. The mare is reportedly well enough forward for this but I'd take a chance on True Blue Victory to small stakes in the hope of a long odds upset.

Newlands Gold should be a worthy favourite in the 12.30, while there must be a value bet in the shape of Arch Stanton in the maiden hurdle at 1.00. Trainer Willie Mullins has to break his barren spell soon and I saw enough from Davenport Millenium at Kempton to suggest his horses are on the way back. Arch Stanton is improving and will start a point or two bigger than he would have if the Mullins team was firing on all cylinders.

Moscow Flyer can't be opposed in the Paddy Power chase at 1.30 and Solerina looks a banker in the Grade Two hurdle at 2.00. Robert Tyner's I Can Imagine looks best to repeat last year's victory in the big handicap chase at 2.35 and should prove the bet of the day while my man with the shillelagh assures me that the suicide rate in Dublin will soar if The Boys In Green is beaten in the closing bumper at 3.40. Hogmanay racing on Tuesday should provide some party expenses thanks to Regal Exit in the 12.55 at Warwick. The six-year-old also has an engagement at Cheltenham in the 3.20 and should be backed if he turns up there, but this race looks tailor-made and with the Henderson team in great form, he looks a good bet. If Cresswell Quay (another with multiple entries) appears in the 2.35 race here, take the hint as well.

At Fontwell on the same day, Lordberniebouffant has been laid out for the Southern National at 1.50 and should prove a value bet. If Cresswell Quay turns up here as well, have a saver. At Cheltenham on the same day, Historg can take the handicap chase at 2.10 with Ferdy Murphy's horses back on song. This one ran a great race at Ayr last time and could be nicely handicapped.

If up and about on New Year's Day then try and catch the juvenile hurdle at Cheltenham (2.15) where Old California is expected to highlight his Triumph Hurdle claims. Regular readers will know that I've already backed him for the big one in March (33s and 25s) and I intend trying to win that ante-post stake today to ensure a bet to nothing come the Triumph. Fingers crossed.

Copyright 2002 SMG Sunday Newspapers Ltd.
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