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A Christmas Cracker at Leopardstown

The Savills Chase at Leopardstown tomorrow is just about as good a staying chase as I can remember. The field has such depth and even those well down the betting list are top quality performers. There is little doubt that the race will impact both the Gold Cup and Ryanair Chase markets and we should have a better picture of both races by tomorrow evening. I think Minella Indo is the right favourite and if he wins tomorrow, he will be a strong favourite for the Cheltenham showpiece. However, at the price tomorrow I am inclined to watch and enjoy the race. The depth of the race means I'm not too inclined to have a stab at something at a bigger price, even though I would like to see a lot more from Allaho after advising him for the Ryanair previously. Samcro is very interesting trying this trip for the first time and the ground should be perfect for him - he will have no excuses. Minella Indo is the one that I have liked for the Gold Cup from the start and he is the one I think will win but no bet at the prices. 

However, I do think the Christmas Hurdle has a lovely shape to it from a betting point of view and The Storyteller looks over-priced. He was beaten by Sire Du Berlais at Cheltenham despite getting 3lb from his stablemate but did look like like the winner for a brief moment and it was a great battle up the hill. I think that race really played to the winner's strengths and I would be hopeful the selection might reverse the form tomorrow. His form since then has arguably gone to another level and he won a strong renewal of the Champion Chase at Down Royal last time, which has been franked since. He reverts back to hurdles but that hasn't been a problem for him before and he certainly shouldn't be a double figure price. 


0.5pt eway The Storyteller (12/1 General) Leopardstown 1.15 

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