Deep field expected for Leopardstown’s Grade 1 Novice Steeplechase
The jumps season is well underway, and racing fans can look forward to another blockbuster at Leopardstown early next month as a deep field is expected for the Grade 1 Novice Steeplechase on the second and final day of the Dublin meet.
Not only will trainers be hoping to secure a chunk of the whopping €1.8 million in prizemoney on offer across the two days – the two mile and five-furlong affair will also prove crucial as it will act as somewhat of a dress rehearsal for many of the thoroughbreds who are likely to line up at the Cheltenham Festival just six weeks later.
With that in mind, read on as we take a look at the favoured horses and a couple of outsiders with those betting on horse racing to reign supreme in the Novice Steeplechase in Ireland on February 5.
Mighty Potter
The favourite at the time of writing is Mighty Potter – and it’s no surprise as to why that is the case – with the six-year-old entering in exceptional nick. After a win by four lengths at the same course in April of last year, the Gordon Elliot-trained thoroughbred had a seven month break before returning to action in November at Down Royal.
He carried that form from the previous season into his maiden performance of his 2022/23 campaign in Ireland, securing a three and a half length win from stablemate Mars Harper and Henry de Bromhead’s Largy Debut.
It didn’t stop there, with Mighty Potter displaying his class once again in a dominant victory in the Grade 1 Drinmore Novice Chase – in which he bested the highly touted Willie Mullins-trained horse and Cheltenham National Hunt Chase ante-post favourite Gaillard Du Mesnil.
For those following the betting lines for Leopardstown’s Novice Steeplechase, Mighty Potter currently sits at 5/2.
Journey With Me
Kicking off this season with a 13-length triumph at Naas in the lead-up to Christmas, seven-year-old Journey With Me was then narrowly beaten by Impervious at Punchestown last time out. While his most recent run wasn’t the most impressive – with five wins in nine starts to his name and a jockey of Rachael Blackmore’s calibre onboard – the Irish gelding has excited punters – with him entering as the fourth favourite at 9/2.
Flame Bearer
One to watch at odds of 14/1 is the Willie Mullins-trained Flame Bearer, whose win in the Beginners Chase at Fairyhouse earlier this month was impressive to say the least. Reigning supreme by an eye-popping 38 lengths from Francin and Slip of the Tongue, the Irish thoroughbred found some much-needed form after a disappointing showing at Naas a month prior.
Churchstonewarrior
An outsider to consider is the Jonathan Sweeney-trained Churchstonewarrior at 25/1. With four consecutive races in which he has run second, the eight-year-old has proven to be there or thereabouts on each occasion – and if he can show greater finishing speed up the straight than he did in 2022 – the Irish gelding has the potential to cause a shock upset.