Leopardstown
12.40pm
Buddy Rich
Obviously, Concertista will take a lot of beating if at her Cheltenham-best, but my horse ran a great race at Punchestown last time and was a good bumper horse too, so he has a fair each-way chance here I would have thought. A very nice ride to pick up.
1.45pm
Dessie’s Diamond
I have ridden him before, at Warwick last year, and he went on to run some good races in defeat. A mark of 117 looks okay on his handicap debut for a new yard, so he has his chance in what is obviously a massively competitive race.
2.20pm
Djingle
We have clearly bumped into one hell of a field – and giving 7lb to Fakir D’oudairies and Laurina is some ask – but that is what you expect to find in a Grade 1. It was obviously massively disappointing to come down at Carlisle last time but he was running a big race and he really was very good when winning at Roscommon previously. He is a horse we love, so let’s see what he can do in this company. We are under no illusions about how strong a race this is, though.
2.55pm
Drumconnor Lad
He has been tried over a variety of distances but this could well be his trip judged on his close third at Cork last time, and a 2lb rise for that is hopefully okay. He looks to have a solid chance off this mark in these conditions.
