Sunday Mirror (Northern Ireland)
GORD LOOKING TO IMPOSE HIS DUTY ON FIELD
GORDON ELLIOTT’S Death Duty can kick off the post-Christmas extravaganza with victory in the Grade 1 Racing Post Novice Chase at Leopardstown on Tuesday.
The busiest four days in the Irish racing calendar begins with a trio of fixtures, and pride of place goes to a quality card at Leopardstown.
Only five horses contest the day’s feature but a terrific clash is in store as Death Duty squares off against the highly-impressive Navan winner Footpad.
The inclusion of Death Duty is something of a surprise as he seemed certain to stay at twoand-a-half miles following his Drinmore Chase victory.
However, connections have taken the bold step of bringing him back to two miles and this might just pay off.
Admittedly this gelding’s best form is all at longer trips but he was impressive over two-anda-quarter miles at Punchestown two months ago.
The Shantou gelding has looked very good on his last two starts and he might just possess enough class to follow his Fairyhouse Grade 1 success.
Footpad is a formidable opponent as he showed when he trounced some capable rivals in style at Navan last month. On that occasion the Willie Mullins inmate jumped superbly and he looked a potentially top-class recruit to chasing.
Also his form over hurdles includes a pair of Grade 1 triumphs and a fine fourth in last season’s Champion Hurdle.
Ultimately there is little to choose between the two main contenders but slight preference is for Death Duty who has yet to be properly tested as a chaser.
The Leopardstown card gets under way with a fascinating maiden hurdle where Debuchet can strike on his jumping debut. This gelding was one of last season’s best bumper horses and he was only narrowly denied Cheltenham glory by Fayonagh.
He does lack the advantage of a previous run this season while a number of his rivals have previous hurdling experience but he isn’t one to oppose.
At Limerick the Mullinstrained Al Boum Photo (above) is a confident choice in the Grade 2 McMahons Builders Providers Novice Chase.
This gelding was a smooth winner on his chasing debut at Navan last month and will do even better now that he moves up in trip.
Also at Limerick Elliott could bag the opener with Star Maker after the gelding shaped up well on his hurdling debut at Cork earlier this month when fourth to Vision D’ete.