SUNDAY WEEKENDER

14:40 Leopardstown Gordon Elliott is responsible for seven of these and separating or discounting any of his would be very unwise, for the sake of saying it however it is becoming tiresome seeing this mob handed routine though perhaps the fact he’s not scared of taking on his own should be commended. A Toi Phil would go very close if judged literally on his Grade2 success at Punchestown in November. Since then it has to be said he has been very disappointing and his ability to handle such a large field poses another question of him, that Punchestown victory is easy to remember however and the booking of Jack Kennedy has to be seen as a positive. Stellar Notion ran a corker in the Irish Paddy Power and was only headed after the last, that uncomplicated style of racing makes him a very big player in this, as does his proven effectiveness in big fields. Trained by Henry De Bromhead (4-14 in last fortnight) it would appear as though he’s the one to beat although its very difficult seeing him being afforded an easy lead. Space Cadet looked all at sea when hammered by A Toi Phil in the Grade2 Florida Pearl, that was only his second start over fences however and he receives a chunky amount of weight (10lbs) from his stablemate this time. Rolly Baby ran well for a long way in the Paddy Power and only faded after a mistake two out, the formidable Mullins-Walsh partnership hardly needs highlighting and he is expected to strip much fitter today. Clarcam would probably hammer these if showing anything like his best, there is little reason to further expand on him but giving away 10lbs and upwards to all of his rivals wont be easy. Shadow Catcher, Bentelimar, Total Recall and Lake Takapuna all have a chance but Space Cadet is taken to weave his way through into the places off his low weight. SPACE CADET (E/W) – NAP

15:30 Fontwell This could and will be described as a race for rogues and anything other than a small poke would be rather reckless. Mr Bachster has a course and distance victory to his name and won twice at and around this trip last season. Quite whether the handicapper has had his number since revising his mark is down to personal opinion but it would be unwise to automatically put his poor runs down to his mark as his profile strongly suggests he consents when he wishes. Brise Coeur is impossible to advise punting despite looking like he could be well handicapped, todays trip should be no issue, a comment that also applies to the ground but he has flopped on numerous occasions, all that being said if he was priced up at decent odds he could become a viable each way alternative. Taroum is better over hurdles and won over the smaller obstacles at Fakenham in a soft ground seller, prior to that victory however he flopped in a 4 runner chase and todays forecast heavy ground is a serious worry. Bahumbug has been hammered out of sight in two handicap chases this term though it is very early stages and he wouldn’t want totally discounting despite lacking the obvious form. Proud Times has dropped down the weights and is another who deserves a mention, it has been three years since he won though. The rest have nothing to be recommended on and so with Kerry Lee’s yard seemingly running into form a chance will be taken on Mr Bachster proving good enough. MR BACHESTER (WIN)

Written by Chris Connolly

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