Matt thinks El Fabiolo (15:20 Leopardstown) will outrun his odds.
Matt Chapman’s Sunday ITV Racing Tips
12.55 Musselburgh – Mossy Fen Road
13.10 Leopardstown – Final Demand
13.25 Musselburgh – Queens Gamble
13.40 Leopardstown – Ballyfad
13.55 Musselburgh – Koukeo
14.10 Leopardstown – Solness
14.30 Musselburgh – The G Wizard
14.45 Leopardstown – Backmersackme
15.05 Musselburgh – Transmission
15.20 Leopardstown – El Fabiolo
15.40 Musselburgh – Ahoy Senor
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
Weather permitting, another marathon day on ITV Racing Sunday with action hopefully from Musselburgh and Leopardstown, starting here with a novices’ hurdle over nearly 2m. I was lucky enough to be at Chepstow when MOSSY FEN ROAD hacked up last time and he blew me away on ground that was faster than ideal. Captain Hugo will be a big challenger here, but Mossy Fen Road looked so good I have to stick with him for Paul O’Brien and Harry Derham.
Up in class here for a Grade 1 novice chase over an extended 2m5f. No eachway angle in here and we all know FINAL DEMAND is the best horse so he should win bar an accident. The Turners third and Punchestown Grade 1 winner over hurdles as loved chasing in two wins at Navan and Limerick (Grade 1). Should win for Paul Townend and Willie Mullins.
A novices’ limited handicap chase over an extended 2m4f. QUEENS GAMBLE might be another here for Harry Derham and Paul O’Brien. Since her days with Oliver Sherwood, the mare has always been highly regarded but she’s yet to get her act together over fences. She goes up in trip here, which may well help and she wasn’t disgraced in deep company at Bangor last time.
13.40 Leopardstown – Ballyfad
A Grade 1 novice hurdle over 2m. This is a belter. BALLYFAD has looked a monster in four wins, including when taking a maiden hurdle at Leopardstown in style last time. He won by nearly 10l there and could be anything, but it’s impossible to be confident with so many other exciting horses in the line-up. Gordon Elliott trains with Jack Kennedy on board.
13.55 Musselburgh – Koukeo
A handicap chase over 2m. Another small field and KOUKEO is hard to oppose after two wins this term at Windsor and Haydock off marks of 109 and 117. He’s up to 123 here, but scored really well last time and will be hard to stop for the O’Neill team of Jonjo and AJ.
14.10 Leopardstown – Solness
The Grade 1 Dublin Chase over 2m1f. A shame there’s no eachway angle in here, and I’ll stick with SOLNESS, who might just be the easiest ride of the main players for Joseph O’Brien and JJ Slevin. Solness loves this track and was good in this contest last year, beating the re-opposing Marine Nationale. The ground might be a bit more testing for the latter than ideal.
A handicap hurdle over 2m4f. A wide open event. THE G WIZARD is very lightly raced and kept on nicely at this track last time over the same distance. He’s off the same mark here and should have more to offer for the Nick Alexander team. Bruce Lynn on top.
A handicap chase over nearly 2m6f. A wide open event. BACKMERSACKME was a terrific second to Three Card Brag at the Cheltenham Festival off a mark of 124 and he’s only 2lb higher here after a few runs without winning this season. He ran well over hurdles here this time last year and has every chance in a very hard contest to sort out. Emmet Mullins trains and Sean Bowen looks a very decent jockey booking.
The Edinburgh National Handicap Chase over nearly 4m. TRANSMISSION has been in desperate form this season, so can’t be a strong selection at all. However, he’s come down to a mark of 129 from which is the one he scored off at Cheltenham in November 2024 and trainer Neil Mulholland is great in handicaps. He stays and has the ability, unless he’s totally lost the plot. A first-time visor might help Conor O’Farrell.
15.20 Leopardstown – El Fabiolo
The Grade 1 Irish Champion Hurdle over 2m. If there is a lurker in here, it might just be EL FABIOLO for JJ Slevin and Willie Mullins. I have to hope he gets an uncontested lead, which is unlikely with Brighterdaysahead in the field, but if he does, he might just get a few off the bridle, having enjoyed going back over hurdles at Punchestown last time. In his time, he’s been as good as any of the big guns in this, and I’d be surprised if he doesn’t run better than his odds suggest should he get his own way up front.
15.40 Musselburgh – Ahoy Senor
A Pertemps Handicap Hurdle qualifier over 3m. It’s probably bonkers, but I’ll chance AHOY SENOR here for the Russell/Scudamore crew. Derek Fox rides the former high-class chaser from a mark of 145 and at a peak, he was 169 over fences. That seems a long time ago now, but he might stay better than most in this field if in the mood. A few quid each way.
So best of luck and pray for Yeeehaaas. You hear me Paddy?
Matt Chapman’s Sunday ITV Racing Tips
12.55 Musselburgh – Mossy Fen Road
13.10 Leopardstown – Final Demand
13.25 Musselburgh – Queens Gamble
13.40 Leopardstown – Ballyfad
13.55 Musselburgh – Koukeo
14.10 Leopardstown – Solness
14.30 Musselburgh – The G Wizard
14.45 Leopardstown – Backmersackme
15.05 Musselburgh – Transmission
15.20 Leopardstown – El Fabiolo
15.40 Musselburgh – Ahoy Senor
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
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