As the festive horse racing action moves into Sunday, Andy Newton gives you his Leopardstown horse racing tips from the two main races – the Christmas Hurdle and Savills Chase.Â
Where we’ve got two fascinating matchups between Teahupoo and Ballyburn in the Christmas Hurdle and former Gold Cup winner Galopin Des Champs and Inothewayurthinkin in the Savills Chase.
Leopardstown Horse Racing Tips: Teahupoo, Ballyburn, Galopin Des Champs and Inothewayurthinkin To Serve Up Festive TreatÂ
1:55 – Christmas Hurdle (Grade 1) (4yo+) 2m7½fÂ
We are served up with a repeat of the Hatton’s Grace Hurdle, where Teahupoo just held Ballyburn in what was one of the best hurdles races so far this season.
The pair meet again on the same terms, but the big difference is the trip.
With their last run over 2m4f and the Christmas Hurdle over 2m 7 1/2f.
So, of the two, which one is going to be suited more by the longer distance?
Now based on how Ballyburn finished last time over 2m4f, it would be easy to say he’ll want further and, yes, if the Hatton’s was over a few more yards the Mullins horse would probably have won.
However, Ballyburn spent most of that race trying to chew the turf with his head very low – he tends to still race a bit free and keen.
Therefore, I’m not so sure the extra yardage will suit him.
Teahupoo Will Love The Longer Trip
In contrast, we know the Hatton’s Grace trip is the optimum for TEAHUPOO and he stays longer than a ponce at a free bar.
We can also expect both horses to come on for those first runs of the season, but with stamina assured the Gordon Elliott runner is taken to uphold the form.
Those against Teahupoo might look to this actually being his first ever run at Leopardstown, but there is no obvious reason why it won’t suit.
Whereas even though Ballyburn is three-from-three at the track, these all came over shorter.
Don’t forget Ballyburn is still to win over 3m+ under rules. Oh, and remember – he’s also only won one of his last five
Of the rest, The Yellow Clay will come on for his return run when second at Navan.
While last year’s winner Home By The Lee goes well fresh and beat Staying Hurdle hero Bob Olinger by an easy six lengths in this last year.
The Joseph O’Brien horses are going well over Xmas too and of those at bigger prices, he looks the one.
But overall, Teahupoo is the call to give trainer Gordon Elliott his sixth Christmas Hurdle.
🥇TEAHUPOO
🥈BALLYBURNÂ
🥉HOME BY THE LEE
2:30 – Savills Chase (Grade 1) (5yo+) 3m½f
Fastorslow (if running) might have something to say about it – but this looks like another intriguing match-up between the last two Cheltenham Gold Cup winners – Inotherwayurthinkin and Galopin Des Champs.
They both head here rated 176, so there is nothing between them on the ratings.
I guess, it’s just who is fitter and more up for it on the day.
Inotherwayurthinkin returned with a well beaten fifth in the John Durkan last time out at Punchestown and is sure to be better for that run.
But he also ran in that same race 12 months ago, before only managing fifth in this to Galopin Des Champs. Beaten just over 15 lengths.
He’s reported to be in much better form by trainer Gavin Cromwell and looks sure to run a big race.
However, for me, his big day will still be in March.
Where he’s one of the Cheltenham Festival favourites for the Gold Cup that he took last season.
So, it’s GALOPIN DES CHAMPS all the way here for me.
He’s won the last two runnings of the Savills Chase and will be looking to join Beef Or Salmon on three.
Willie Mullins (four wins) also needs one more to equal trainer Michael Hourigan’s haul of five and we all know Galopin loves Leopardstown.
Those against him may point to him having had a prior run before taking this in the last two seasons.
Plus, Mullins has openly said he might just improve for the run.
But the former Gold Cup winner is sure to still be well primed for this title defence and is 7-7 here at Leopardstown over fences.
He’s taken to carry on that winning run and ‘Galopin’ his rivals away once more.
🥇GALOPIN DES CHAMPS
🥈INOTHERWAYURTHINKIN
🥉FASTORSLOW
