Our Duke Goes For Gold Cup Glory

What a day we have in store, as the Dublin Racing Festival from Leopardstown continues, with the main event the Irish Gold Cup. There are also interesting cards at Musselburgh and Taunton.

Musselburgh & Taunton

Nicky Henderson has a strong hand at Musselburgh on Sunday with Claimantakinforgan (2.00) having his Supreme Novices’ prep and Mr Whipped (2.35) impossible to oppose in the Albert Bartlett Trial.

If there is no further significant rain By The Boardwalk (3.45) can run well for Kim Bailey in the staying handicap chase and at Taunton I hope to see Vocaliser (2.15) follow up his recent course win stepping up in trip a quarter of a mile.

Tips:

Claimantakinforgan 

Mr Whipped 

By The Boardwalk 

Vocaliser

Leopardstown – Irish Gold Cup

Samcro (1.50) steps back in trip for Gordon Elliot in the 2m Grade 1 Novice and the unbeaten six-year-old is considered something quite special by those close in and around the yard. This is his sternest test to date but one he is expected to pass with flying colours.

The 2m 5f Grade 1 Novice Chase is one of the races of the weekend in my eyes and it is fascinating to see leading Irish handler Henry De Bromhead give Noel Fehily the ride on Monalee (3.00) after the 7-year-old crashed out here over Christmas.

This intermediate 2m 5f trip is ideal for Snow Falcon ( ) and this is a race with real strength in depth but Monalee at gets a narrow vote.

I think Our Duke (3.35) is a worthy favourite – – for the Irish Gold Cup in a race that is not perhaps as it says on the tin given Gold Cup winner Sizing John and Coney Island miss the race. The Irish National winner is another on something of a retrieval mission on Sunday having run abysmally on his comeback.

Tips:

Samcro 

Monalee 

Our Duke