14:25
Bulmers Secret Orchard Leopardstown Handicap Chase (Grade A)
2m 5f 61y
Going: Yielding to Soft
Surface: Turf
Draw Advantage: NoneMAX FLAMINGO has shown his hand to the handicapper by running well in good novice company but will enjoy the ground and can give a good account of himself. He was third in a hot beginners' chase at Fairyhouse in November and was far from disgraced in a Grade One here at Christmas. This trip might suit better and his rider's allowance, which he was unable to claim last time, leaves him on a nice racing weight. Blackbow jumped notably well when only finding Dunvegan too strong at Fairyhouse. A 5lb rise makes life no easier but he has to be respected, particularly if this longer trip can unlock more improvement. At the foot of the weights Birchdale catches the eye after a fine run when not quite seeing out 3m here last time, while Cheltenham winner The Shunter makes his first appearance since finishing a creditable fourth in the Galway Plate and has to enter calculations along with hat-trick seeker Fakir D'alene who has improved for the fitting of blinkers.
MAX FLAMINGO has shown his hand to the handicapper by running well in good novice company but will enjoy the ground and can give a good account of himself. He was third in a hot beginners' chase at Fairyhouse in November and was far from disgraced in a Grade One here at Christmas. This trip might suit better and his rider's allowance, which he was unable to claim last time, leaves him on a nice racing weight. Blackbow jumped notably well when only finding Dunvegan too strong at Fairyhouse. A 5lb rise makes life no easier but he has to be respected, particularly if this longer trip can unlock more improvement. At the foot of the weights Birchdale catches the eye after a fine run when not quite seeing out 3m here last time, while Cheltenham winner The Shunter makes his first appearance since finishing a creditable fourth in the Galway Plate and has to enter calculations along with hat-trick seeker Fakir D'alene who has improved for the fitting of blinkers.