Our star columnist completed a Grade One double on Boxing Day - now check out his thoughts on a Sunday team which includes Chacun Pour Soi.
Sunday runners
DARK VOYAGER – Leopardstown 12.05
Dark Voyager disappointed at Punchestown so he has to make up some lost ground. If conditions stay nice I’d say he’d have a chance but it will be tough if any more rain comes, he does look ground dependent.
KLASSICAL DREAM – 12.35 Leopardstown
Klassical Dream is all set to make his chasing debut after having a little setback earlier in the season. Hopefully he’ll make a nice two-mile novice chaser for us.
CHACUN POUR SOI, ANNAMIX – 1.10 Leopardstown
I think Chacun Pour Soi goes into the Grade 1 Paddy’s Rewards Club Chase a lot straighter than he was last year when he got beaten by A Plus Tard. He loves Leopardstown and I’m looking forward to seeing him run.
Annamix runs as well for the same owners. It can be difficult place these horses so he runs here, he’s coming back in trip but he jumped fantastic around Gowran and hopefully he can get a nice share of the prizemoney.
APPRECIATE IT, N’GOLO – 1.45 Leopardstown
Appreciate It runs in the Grade 1 Paddy Power Future Champions Novice Hurdle and I think he’s come on a great deal since his opening win over hurdles at Cork. We possibly could go out in trip with him later in the season but I think two miles is fine for him right now.
I think N’Golo is better than his last run and with different tactics he might show it on Sunday. It’s a tough task to reverse the form with Ballyadam but I do think we will see an improved performance from him.
TIGER TAP TAP, HYBERY – 2.20 Leopardstown
Tiger Tap Tap is back from a break after running twice at Galway for us in the summer. On his best form he’d have a chance but it’s my feeling we won’t see the best of him until he gets some spring ground.
Hybery ran well at Fairyhouse last time and I think he will come on for that run. He’s a horse that possibly could get into the shake-up, he’d certainly be in with a shout at the business end of the race if he does on the track what he shows me at home.
CASTLEBAWN WEST, CLASS CONTI, SATURNAS – 2.55 Leopardstown
Castlebawn West is another who shows plenty at home and Paul has picked him from my trio. He ran well behind Faugheen at the Dublin Racing Festival in the context of this race so I think he handles the track fine.
Class Conti ran a fine race in this last year, just tiring from about three out before he fell at the last. I thought he had every chance last year before he got tired, but I do feel that he might need nicer ground.
Saturnas returned from a long time off at Navan last time where he was pulled up and he’s probably best watched until he starts to show a bit of form on the racetrack.
REALITY CHEQUE – 3.30 Leopardstown
He was second at Fairyhouse on November 28 and I think he’ll improve a hell of a lot from that run, which gives him a major chance in this race.
CAPODANNO – 12.20 Limerick
He might well come on a bit for his first run at Clonmel but I’d say this is a tough ask for him. The first-time tongue-tie could help.
PONT AVAL – 2.35 Limerick
She’s a lovely mare who will love this ground and though she’s been off a long time she’s going very nicely at home. It could just be tough for her first time back off a long break.
