IT CAN BE ANOTHER ESCAPE TO VICTORY

Winter Escape (rear) is still a class act

WINTER ESCAPE is the choice in the featured TRI Equestrian Handicap Chase at Leopardstown this afternoon.

The Aidan Howard-trained gelding is now in the twilight of his career but is still capable of some very smart form.

Last time out he ran a tremendous race to finish a close third to Birchdale in the Leopardstown Chase.

He also showed up well in another smart handicap earlier in the season when finishing third to the subsequent Irish Gold Cup hero Conflated at Navan.

At the age of 11 Winter Escape will be vulnerable to younger, more progressive rivals.

However, his recent form suggests that another good prize is within his reach and he also has the assistance of his rider’s seven pounds claim to call upon.

Perhaps his biggest danger might come from the top weight

Max Flamingo who won a maiden hurdle on this card last year.

The Francis Casey inmate has developed into a smart chaser this term and should run well on ground he likes despite having plenty of weight to carry.

Elsewhere on the card, the opening maiden hurdle might fall to Harald Hardrad even though he was a bit disappointing in a Naas maiden hurdle last time.

The other maiden hurdle on the card could go the way of Gordon Elliott with his Hollymount appealing as a likely contender.

Elliott is also put forward to land the bumper with The Four Sixes who is among seven newcomers in the eight-runner field.

In the conditions hurdle Whiskey Sour is taken to record his first success since December 2017.

And in the rated novice chase Fighting Fit is a confident selection as he won a Naas handicap chase with lots to spare a couple of months ago.