The Gordon Elliott-trained Don Poli heads the market for the Stan James Irish Gold Cup, the feature race at Leopardstown on Sunday.
Formerly trained by Willie Mullins, the eight-year-old son of Poliglote ran a cracker to finish second in the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas and he’ll be suited by the stiff stamina test that this race offers. David Mullins takes the rise and he is a general 7/2 shot.
Elliott is doubly represented in the race courtesy of Empire Of Dirt, ridden by Jack Kennedy, who has won his last three starts, culminating in a decisive four-length victory in the Troytown Chase at Navan in November. He takes a big step-up in class but the nine-year-old looks to be improving rapidly.
Carlingford Lough, trained by John Kiely bids to win this race for the third time and is partnered by Barry Geraghty. The 11-year-old son of King’s Theatre ran well on his reapperance this season behind Jezki in a two-mile hurdle at Navan which should be the perfect pipe opener for this contest. He’ll enjoy the return to three-miles and despite getting older, he should run well.
Jonjo O’Neill has two runners in the race with Minella Rocco, a winner at last year’s Cheltenham Festival and 2014 World Hurdle winner More Of That running for the Jackdaws Castle handler.
Jessica Harrington is represented by Sizing John who won well at Thurles in the Kinloch Brae Chase at Thurles last time and should appreciate the step-up to three miles.
Noel Meade’s Road To Riches, third in the 2015 Cheltenham Gold Cup and Andrew Lynch’s Zabana, complete the eight-runner field for the Grade One.
Verdict
Don Poli was a superb second in the Lexus Chase and having being given some time off, he looks to have a good chance in this event.
