By Andrew Atkinson
Defending champion 10-year-old Willie Mullins trained Kemboy (3.15) goes to post at Leopardstown on Saturday in the Grade 1 Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup, along with Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Minella Indo, Frodon and Asterion Forlonge.
Robbie Power is up on Henry de Bromhead trained Minella Indo for the first time. The 3 miles race sees tight betting, with Frodon (5-2), Kemboy (11-4) tipped by fromthehorsesmouth.info and Minella Indo priced at 3-1.
The Grade 1 Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors ‘50,000 Cheltenham Bonus For Stable Staff’ Novice Hurdle over 2m 6f sees Gordon Elliott trained Hollow Games (1.05) tipped to win under Davy Russell and Grand Jury go to post. Willie Mullins saddles Minella Cocooner and Whatdeawant.
Unbeaten Gordon Elliott trained four-year-old Fil Dor (1.35) JCB Triumph Hurdle favourite, goes to post in the Racing TV-backed Spring Juvenile Hurdle, tipped by fromthehorsesmouth.info.
Willie Mullins trained Vauban 6-4 favourite, second behind Pied Piper on his first start at Punchestown, is amongst the runners.
The Irish Arkle Novice Chase over 2m 1f sees top weight Blue Lord (2.10) unbeaten in two starts over fences, carry 11st 12lbs, tipped to win.
Riviere D’Etel, second to Ferny Hollow at Leopardstown last time out is noted.
Willie Mullins saddles three runners with Blue Lord, Haut En Couleurs and Saint Sam.
Panda Boy (2.45) ridden by JJ Slevin is tipped each-way in the 24 runners GB over 3 miles, along with A.J. Martin trained Good Time Jonny, worthy of each-way support.
Willie Mullins trained Mt Leinster (3.50) is tipped to land the GB over 2m 1f, with Paul Townend up.
Mullins saddles Facile Vega (4.25) tipped to win the G2 NH Flat race over 2 miles.
Leopardstown clerk of the course Lorcan Wyer reports the ground to be yielding, following 160mm of water applied throughout January, amid the Dublin track facing criticism in recent years for the ground considered too quick, with trainers including Gordon Elliott and Willie Mullins emphasising for safe conditions.
The forecast is 3mm of rain on Thursday, followed by a dry Friday and the possibility of 5mm rain on Sunday morning.
Watering has been ongoing, following a relatively dry period.
Paddy Power G1 Irish Gold Cup (3.15) over 3 miles. 8 runners
Asterion Forlonge Bryan Cooper
Cilaos Emery Sean O’Keeffe
Conflated Davy Russell
Delta Work Jack Kennedy
Frodon Bryony Frost
Janidil Mark Walsh
Kemboy Paul Townend
Minella Indo Robbie Power
Irish Gold Cup betting: 5-2 Frodon, 11-4 Kemboy, 3-1 Minella Indo, 4-1 Asterion Forlonge, 14-1 Delta Work, Janidil, 33-1 Conflated, 66-1 Cilaos Emery
LEOPARDSTOWN fromthehorsesmouth.info selections: 1.05 Hollow Games. 1.35 Fil Dor. 2.10 Blue Lord. 2.45 Panda Boy (ew); Good Time Jonny (ew). 3.15 Kemboy. 3.50 Mt Leinster. 4.25 Facile Vega
Caption: Last years winner of the Irish Gold Cup Kemboy for Willie Mullins. Image Leopardstown Racecourse Twitter
