Who To Follow At Leopardstown On Sunday - 06/03/22

James Mackie | @jamesmackieee

Fri 04 Mar 2022 15.22

Leopardstown 16:50

Winter Escape

J: Mark McDonagh

T: Aidan Anthony Howard

N/A

Age: 11

Weight: 11-4

OR: 134

Days: 28

The final selection we are putting up at Leopardstown on Sunday comes in the feature TRI Equestrian Grade B Handicap Chase over 2m5f and we like the look of Winter Escape for Aidan Howard.

The 11 year old, although getting on now looks made for this race having ran a cracker last time out and is only 1lb higher in the handicap for it.

A very consistent horse the gelding has finished third in five of his last six races, most of the time in big fielded handicap chases.

Three starts ago he was a good third behind Irish Gold Cup winner Conflated and then backed that up with a fair fifth at Christmas in another decent handicap event.

Last time out he bounced back to better form when third again behind the well handicapped Birchdale at the Dublin Racing Festival.

Only 1lb higher and with a handy 7lb claimer on board he has to be taken seriously.

Form: 33335View

Date	Course	Distance	Type	Weight	Position
06/02/22	LEO	21.5	Y	10-0	3
26/12/21	LEO	17	Sft	11-3	5
04/12/21	NAV	20	Y	10-12	3
24/10/21	GAL	22.5	Sft	11-3	3
05/10/21	GAL	18.5	Sft	11-10	3

Gordon Elliott is looking to find some winners to gain some momentum going into the Cheltenham festival and he has some big chances at Leopardstown on Sunday.

In the opening race of the day he has a leading chance with Ballykeel who was a good fifth behind the talented The Nice Guy and since the third Ramilies has won aswell.

In the Maiden Hurdle over 2m4f he fields Hollymount who has been knocking of the door of late and has a big opportunity to go close here.

Other big chances for the handler come from One Down in the Novice Chase, Fakir D'alene in the big Handicap Chase and The Four Sixes in the bumper.

Elliott heads into the meeting on Sunday posing a strike rate of 17% for the last two weeks with seven winners from 42 runners.

Up and coming 5lb claimer Jack Foley has a handful of good rides across the card at Leopardstown which makes him worth following on Sunday.

In the first race of the day he sits on Don't Tell Allen who was fifth behind the smart Minella Crooner and then in the third he gets the leg up on Milajess, who could be anything yet.

Something Street in the Handicap Hurdle needs to bounce back to form, but his big chance of the day comes in the Novice Chase with Alko Rouge a good third third last time out and building on that makes him a player.

Foley has a great career ahead of him and is worth following.