The main supporting race at Leopardstown today could prove almost as big a test for those chasing the guaranteed jackpot of £25,000 as the Ladbroke.
Fourteen battle hardened chasers will slog it out for the £35,000 Leopardstown Chase prizefund with Arthur Moore looking strongly represented by the trio of Ryhane, Wylde Hide and Amble Speedy.
The veteran Wylde Hide was a revelation in the Paddy Power Chase here at Christmas when proving to be the only to mount any sort of challenge to the English trained Calling Wild in the closing stages. Barry Cash again takes the reins on the dualThyestes winner who should confirm placings with the Paddy Power third Una's Choice.
Conor O'Dwyer is on Ryhane, who took the Troytown at Navan in good style, while a back-to-form Amble Speedy could not be lightly dismissed either. However the solution to today's race could be a horse who finished behind both Wylde Hide and Ryhane on two of his last three appearances.
Hollybank Buck was strongly fancied for the Paddy Power but after making a mistake at the second fence, he seemed to lose interest and wound up a distant 11th. Before that he was runnerup to Rocketts Castle and before that was third to Ryhane in the Troytown.
Hollybank Buck does get a 5lb swing with Ryhane this time and is also teamed up with Norman Williamson, who has a proven ability to get these stayers jumping and settle into a rhythm. Those factors can swing it Hollybank Buck's way.
The Fitzpatrick Hotel Novice Chase is an interesting looking contest with Native Estates, runner-up to His Song in the Dennys over two miles, being hiked up to two miles and five. That should be in this promising young horse's favour but marginal preference is for the top weight Inis Cara who fell early on behind Nick Dundee here over Christmas.
Michael Hourigan wasted no time bringing him out again and Inis Cara did well over the unsuitable Tramore course to win against seasoned campaigners on New Year's Day. Stamina is this horse's strong point, a fact he can prove today.
The opening hurdle sees the nine-year-old Finnegans Hollow sneak in under the race conditions and though considering this horse's initial potential he has been something of a disappointment, he should still have too many guns still operating for the decent novices Colonial Sunset and Moving On Up.
Rock Castle won a bad race very well at Thurles on Wednesday and while he must shoulder a 5lb penalty in the Morris Handicap Hurdle, it may not be beyond him. A good pace is vital for this horse to settle but if he gets that, he looks up to winning while Davy's Dream, fifth to the Ladbroke candidate Kamactay at Fairyhouse nine days ago, is one to watch in the Conlon Handicap Hurdle.
