3:00 Leopardstown Tips

Connections won this race with Real Steel in 2022, who was an ex-Willie Mullins runner. Weveallbeencaught has performed well since switching stables from Nigel Twiston-Davies, with two narrow defeats in good company. She sits handily near the bottom of the weights and looks a big danger at double-figure odds.

Willie Mullins likely had a few options for this race so I think the fact that Paul Townsend has opted for CAPTAIN CODY is a good tip in itself. Selection is a very consistent sort and has strong form so I would be very disappointed if he wasn't in the shakeup

Solid 3rd in the Kim Muir of 142, down 3 lbs to 139 here. JP has a good record in this. Choice of Mark Walsh. I would expect him to be in the first 6, surely, and it's certainly worth winning with €110k to the winner.

Second in this race last season under good claimer and though 2lb higher here has a good chance to my eye. That was a strong renewal last year with the winner taking out a Listed Handicap Hurdle after, the 4th Nick Rockett scoring at Grade 3 level and winning the Grand National subsequently too. Three Card Brag further bolstered the form this season too, so all in all my fancy could be well in here. Had a prep race over hurdles and gets the first time blinkers slapped on here as well so looks like he's been aimed and primed at a repeat showing. Donagh Meyler a good booking for yard going well enough and their 20 chase runners in Ireland this season have yielded 4 winners and 5 places. Must be one for EW backers in a race that maybe isn't as deep as last season's renewal and I fancy this fella strongly.

Ran well in this race last year when favourite, finishing 5th. Lost way slightly until a real eye-catching run on the last go when beaten a neck at Fairyhouse over 3m5f. Will appreciate the soft ground and looks well handicapped near the bottom of the weights. Gordon Elliott has been banging in the winners and is dangerous to overlook at current odds.

It looks like the hype surrounding Thomas Gibney's 7 year old Gelding KINTURK KALANISI has fizzled out a bit which suits me as we're currently getting 20/1 but to my untrained eye I only see one blip (if you could call it that) when pulling up in the Irish National which of course is no easy race but if we go back to this Son of KALANISI's penultimate run in the Leinster National @Naas I genuinely think he would have won that race before unseating 2 from the lollypop. This charge was racing off a mark of 135 that day under a conditional rider which Is what this lad gets now in the Shape of Harry Sexton who I think is very good value for his 7lb claim. Now let's address the glaring elephant which would be the 250 day sabbatical & yes whilst it's a valid reason for concern looking over this charges past races when returning from a break we have 3rd & 4th place finishes so not quite doom & gloom. Look of course there are risks attached but with 6 places on offer at double figures odds I'm happy to throw a dart into this absolute minefield.

Gavin Cromwell trains Now Is The Hour, who has had two runs this season: a fourth on debut and eighth at Fairyhouse on his last outing. He may have needed these two runs to have him cherry-ripe for a tilt at this race, with connections possibly thinking of Cheltenham in March. Massive price at 25/1. He has the stamina to put himself right in the thick of the action, and racing off 140 should hold no woes.

Blizzard of Oz is on the Grand National trial this season. Had a good win, then was running well in the Coral Cup before making a mistake which led to him being pulled up. Will get back on song here.