Three Best Bets From Leopardstown On Sunday - 06/03/22

The first race of the day at Leopardstown on Sunday is the 2m4f Maiden Hurdle and Harald Hardrad for Noel Meade looks the standout selection in this race.

The seven year old has been seen three times this season, winning a bumper on rules debut in November by 11 lengths in emphatic fashion and he has since been stepped over hurdles.

Having his first start over hurdles he finished a gallant second to the smart Willie Mullins trained Whatdeawant, who has since ran in Grade One company.

Looking to frank that he finished a strong fourth of 24 at Naas over two miles behind the talented Meet and Greet.

He holds the strongest form in the race and has been placed in a weak race that gives him an opportunity to get off the mark over timber, back over his preferred trip.

Next up is the Anton O'Toole Hurdle over 2m2f and it sees a small but select field go to post and we have sided with the Willie Mullins trained Whiskey Sour.

A superb hurdler throughout his career, landing races like the Grade One Future Champions Hurdle, whilst also placing in the County Hurdle in back to back years at the Cheltenham festival.

Now nine years of age he still retains the large part of his ability and has been seen twice over hurdles this term, finishing a good fifth of 18 at Fairyhouse in a big handicap and then last time out went a close third Behind Darasso and Saint Felicien in a Grade Three at Naas.

That is some of the strongest form heading into the race and looks a perfect race for him to get back to winning ways.

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.