DAILY RACING PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 2

12.40 LEOPARDSTOWN

Queens Gamble sets a clear standard based on her excellent runner-up spot in the Gerry Fielden Hurdle on her seasonal bow, but this assignment may not turn out to be as straightforward as it appears on paper for Harry Derham’s inmate, and she is passed over in favour of SAVANTE (best price 8-1).

Colm Murphy’s inmate was just working herself into contention when brought down by Big Shou at the second last here last time out and although it is almost impossible to say to say for definite whether she would have obliged, there’s every chance she would have had a large say in the outcome to some degree.

Using that theory as a guide, the six-year-old makes just as much appeal now back among her own sex and at the morning prices, she is worth playing accordingly.

SAVANTE – ½ point each-way@8-1

2.45 LEOPARDSTOWN

The victory of Percival Legallois here yesterday put yet another layer of gloss on the form of the Paddy Power Chase at the Dublin venue over the Christmas period and PINKERTON (best price 7-1) is fancied to follow in the footprints of Gavin Cromwell’s inmate on his return visit.

Although Noel Meade’s inmate stayed the three-mile trip well enough a month ago, he is arguably better over slightly shorter distances and his victory in the Galway Plate in the summer backs up that view.

A creditable runner-up to the smart Found A Fifty at Grade 2 level at Down Royal in the interim also points towards a horse who is thoroughly capable of running well beyond handicap company and based on his speed figures, a well-run race here this afternoon should see him to best advantage.

PINKERTON – 1-point each-way@7-1

3.35 MUSSELBURGH

GRAIN D’OUDAIRIES (best price 8-1) must overcome a crunching fall at Wetherby last time out but providing his confidence hasn’t been dented too much, Donald McCain’s inmate has the capabilities to go well based on his victory at Doncaster previously.

The son of Kapgarde had to brush aside a bad mistake at the third last on Town Moor that day but either side of that error, he impressed with the way he went what turned out to be a strongly run event.

In the process of putting up a big challenge to the useful Myretown until disaster struck at the Yorkshire venue 38 days ago, there’s strong possibility he may have followed up his previous win and providing he can keep his eye on the ball throughout today’s two mile contest, the strapping nine-year-old has the cruising speed to carry him deep into the heart of the battle.

GRAIN D’OUDAIRIES – ½ point each-way@8-1

3.50 LEOPARDSTOWN

Connections of McLaurey will no doubt have an eye on one of the Cheltenham handicaps for the son of Jukebox Jury, but he will need to punch a big hole in his current mark of 120 to even get himself an invitation.

With that in mind, Emmet Mullins’ inmate will no doubt be all guns blazing in his bid to earn a ticket to the festival but whether two miles is completely his gig remains to be seen and at the prices, he is passed over in favour of his previous Punchestown conqueror, JAMES’S GATE (best price 8-1).

The pair met over 2m3f at the Kildare venue back in early December and Martin Brassil’s inmate looked to have the better speed of the pair through the guts of the race and in the end, he ran out a comfortable winner.

Since then, the son of Shantou showed his versatility when dropping back to the minimum trip at Navan last time out and his victory would have been made more easier if he hadn’t almost thrown his chance away with a bad mistake at the last. Considering the magnitude of the error and time he had to recover, he did remarkable well to dust himself down in such a short space of time and with the speed figure he posted good and the likes of the useful pair, Ballygunner Castle and Taponthego well beaten, it’s easy to come to the conclusion this lightly-raced eight-year-old is improving at a rapid rate of knots.

Add the likes of the improving Brave Troop and potentially well treated Storm heart into the mix and this is a cracking handicap in store but at the prices, James’s Gate makes the most appeal with several firms offering six places.

JAMES’S GATE – ½ point each-way@8-1