Sunday 5 March · Leopardstown, Eire
16:55 Carrickmines Handicap Chase (Grade B)
- Distance
- 2m 5f 97y
- Going
- Yielding (Good to Yielding in places)
- Class
- 0
- Prize
- EUR 45000
- Runners
- 9
Race preview
BIRCHDALE won the valuable Leopardstown Chase at the Dublin Racing Festival last year and put in another solid effort when bidding for a repeat victory last month, finishing fourth behind The Goffer. Aidan Kelly again claims 7lb while owner JP McManus also holds claims with Ilikedwayurthinkin who was well-backed when unseating rider before halfway last time and is now fitted with blinkers. Panda Boy has shown a liking for this venue winning a Pertemps Qualifier over hurdles and ran a cracker on just his fourth outing over fences when beaten less than a length in the ultra competitive Paddy Power Chase at Christmas. This step back in trip is a slight concern. Jerandme hasn't raced over fences since second to Discordantly in this event 12 months ago but should be spot on after a recent outing on the Flat.
| Pos | Horse | Form | Jockey | Trainer | Wgt | SP | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lieutenant Command | 6UF-F5P | M J M O'Sullivan | N Meade | 11 7 | 18-1 | |
| 2 | Mars Harper | 632249 | Jordan Gainford | G Elliott | 11 3 | 8-1 | |
| 3 | Ilikedwayurthinkin | 2-2P9PU | Keith Donoghue | G P Cromwell | 11 7 | 6-1 | |
| 4 | Kitty Galore | 29F443 | K Callaghan | J P Ryan | 10 3 | 18-1 | |
| - | Panda Boy | 00-1443 | J J Slevin | M Brassil | 11 12 | 4-1 | |
| - | Birchdale | 7-26P74 | Aidan Kelly | E Bolger | 11 7 | 7-2 | |
| - | Upping The Anti | 17-113F | Rachael Blackmore | H De Bromhead | 11 5 | 15-2 | |
| - | Jerandme | 194/272- | D F O'Regan | N Meade | 11 3 | 6-1 | |
| - | Whatsnotoknow | 470-437 | Phillip Enright | M F Morris | 10 7 | 6-1 |