Irish Action - 26th and 27th

Leopardstown 26th, 2.20 - Racing Post Novice Chase (2m1f) Grade 1

The exciting Bog Warrior will be a warm favourite after demolishing his field in the Grade 1 Drinmore last time. This is a drop back in trip but on his favoured soft ground that is not expected to inconvenience him greatly. Chief amongst the opposition is the Mullins trained Blackstairmountain who was a smart horse over hurdles, winning the Grade 1 Champion Novice Hurdle at the Punchestown Festival. He recorded a facile success on his fencing debut and it is significant that Mullins pitches him straight into the top level here. Notus De La Tour runs for David Pipe and he will give us an idea where out chasers stand. He was comfortably put in his place by Walk On last time and it hard to see him troubling the very best the Irish have to offer. The favourite will be very hard to beat but at the prices a little on Blackstairmountain EW at 5/1 might be the bet.

Limerick 26th, 2.10 - Greenmount Park Novice Chase (2m3f) Grade 2

The unbeaten Sir Des Champs comes here rather than taking on the same owners Bog Warrior at Leopardstown. He seems to have been found a nice opportunity to make it two from two over fences and it would be disappointing if he was beaten. He is not much of a price at 1/2 but he looks impossible to oppose.

Leopardstown 27th, 1.20 - Paddy Power Dial-A-Bet Chase (2m1f) Grade 1

Big Zeb heads the market as he seeks a hat-trick in this race. He will be a warm order to oblige (8/11 currently) but he has the beating of these on all known form. He beat Noble Prince and Forpadydeplasterer last time giving them weight and meets them on level terms here. Golden Silver was fortunate to win last time and would perhaps be the biggest danger if returning to his best. He gets on particularly well with Paul Townend so his return to the saddle would be a positive. That said, anything but a Big Zeb win his hard to foresee.

Leopardstown 27th, 1.55 - Paddypower.com Future Champions Novice Hurdle (2m) Grade 1

Yet another short priced favourite, this time for the all-conquering Willie Mullins yard. Sous Les Cieux won well last time even if he was being closed down at the death by Galileo's Choice in the Grade 1 Royal Bond. He had Il Fenomeno back in 5th that day and a form reversal is hard to see. There are a couple of unexposed ones lurking and whilst Sous Les Cieux should win I'm not sure I'd want to be taking 1/2 about him in this.

4 short priced favourites who all look hard to oppose. On all known form they should be winning these races but as we all know only too well there is no such thing as a good-thing in racing. I would nominate Big Zeb and Sir Des Champs as the best of the bunch. Bog Warrior should win but I think Blackstairmountain could be smart also and with Sous Les Cieux there are too many unknown quantities to be getting involved at a very short price.