The first big handicap of the year, the £75,000 Ladbroke Hurdle, provides its usual puzzle this afternoon and although with the defection of Commanche Court, events seem to have fallen Graphic Equaliser's way, it may be worth opposing the favourite with the good each-way prospect Hard News.
Tempting fate like that will probably cause Graphic Equaliser to win with his mouth open and become the first favourite to win this race since Barnbrook Again in 1987. However, despite having a lot going for him, if Graphic Equaliser does do that he will fully deserve it because this is a typically competitive Ladbroke.
What Graphic Equaliser does have going for him is potential. Anyone who saw him run third to I'm Supposin' at Naas last season could hardly have been surprised by his good effort at Cheltenham when fifth to Shadow Leader on ground that was firmer than ideal. In both races, he looked a young horse of real talent.
He also is now trained by Arthur Moore whose record in this race and it's predecessor, the Sweeps Hurdle, is outstanding. The fact that Moore and Conor O'Dwyer had a very successful Christmas is no drawback either and Graphic Equaliser ran an eyecatching trial for this race when only fading in the straight behind Arctic Weather at Fairyhouse in November.
Ever since then, his name has been on people's lips as a potential Ladbroke winner and he definitely has a winning weight off 10st. Against that, however, Cockney Lad, a future Irish Champion Hurdler, failed in this race off only 10-1. So weight isn't absolutely everything and it's worth wondering what price Graphic Equaliser would be if he weren't trained by Moore. The Naas trainer's record in the race has to be taken into account but 4 to 1 or 7 to 2 seems pretty short.
In contrast, Hard News at around 14 to 1 is attractive eachway value. Only a length off Commanche Court over Christmas, the flat-bred son of Lyphard would be a welcome big race winner for Curragh trainer Dermot Kelly (30), who may not be as well known as some of his colleagues but who has proved he can produce the goods since first taking out a licence in 1991.
Hard News also ran in the same Fairyhouse race as Graphic Equaliser and ran fourth. He is 5lb worse off with Graphic Equaliser and 8lb out of the handicap but against that he finished over 22 lengths clear of his rival at Punchestown. Graphic Equaliser will undoubtedly improve but there is reason to believe that Hard News is improving too. Using the Fairyhouse race, Arctic Weather comes right into the reckoning but this horse has had his chance before and is now on comparatively high mark, while Major Jamie may have had his big day already when winning at Sandown last month.
Of the British runners, Sharpical has talent but has shown enough signs of temperament to make you wonder how he will react to the hurly-burly of this race. Top Cees will love the very soft ground but has proved frustrating over hurdles compared to his very smart flat form and a better soft ground hope could be the stayer Metastasio.
Hard News though is sure to act on the ground also and his preference for racing up with the pace should keep him clear of any traffic problems that might occour. His jockey, Richard Hughes, relishes these big races and the tight inside course that will be used today will suit Hard News down to the ground. Throw in the fact that if Commanche Court hadn't run againt him at Christmas, Hard News would have been an eight-length winner and you have what looks a value Ladbroke bet. With the chase course passing an inspection yesterday morning, Leopardstown has a full card with the Pierse Leopardstown Chase being the first leg of a jackpot which is guaranteed for £20,000.
This is an attractive race in its own right and one which the Paddy Power Chase at Christmas holds a direct bearing. All but one of the nine runners ran in that race and while that was a gruelling contest which could have had a draining effect on the horses, the form book says Lord Singapore comes out just ahead. John Joe Walsh's horse is such a tough campaigner that he can prove the form book correct with Bobbyjo selected as the danger.
The Fitzpatrick Novice Chase has only five in it but this race will test the stamina of these young steeplechasers to the limit. Up to now, Private Peace has given the impression of being a tough stayer and he has been given a decent break since his last rather fortunate win at Fairyhouse. Charlie Swan's mount can hold off Glebe Lad.
The three miles of the Morris Handicap Hurdle will take even more getting but Don't Waste It thrives on the soft and won so impressively at Fairyhouse last time that she is marginally preferred to Go Now, while Sawa-Id is hard to get away from in the opener.
