Thief To Rob Min At Leopardstown

With 10 runners between two meetings on St Stephen’s Day it certainly isn’t the busiest that Willie Mullins has ever been.

But he’s sure to be among the winners although two of the best bets at Leopardstown are Gigginstown-owned, one of which will be looking to deny Mullins the Grade 1 honours at Leopardstown.

Min To Be Robbed
While Thistlecrack is stepping out of novice company in the King George, the battle of Min and Identity Thief in the Racing Post Novice Chase at Leopardstown looks set to be a race to savour.

Min did exactly what would have been expected of him when making a winning debut over fences at Navan and connections will undoubtedly be looking forward to another go at his Supreme Novices’ Hurdle nemeses, Altior, later in the season. But Identity Thief may have his measure this Christmas.

Henry de Bromhead’s charge is a two-time winner this season over fences and while we didn’t see much in the fog at Punchestown last time, he had O Ceallaigh keeping him honest and making sure there were no chinks in his jumping armour back in October when they met at the same venue. Jumping at that speed will benefit him in this Grade 1 company.

It shouldn’t be forgotten too that Identity Thief is a Grade 1 winner in open company having won the Fighting Fifth. Finishing within two-lengths of Nichols Canyon here last year was a fair run and…

he was only just over a length off Vroum Vroum Mag at her peak in Punchestown last April.

That is proven solid form that, as of yet, Min doesn’t have. Identity Thief is a best priced 9/4 with BoyleSports and that’s not to be left behind.

Gordon Is On The Ball
The other bet from Leopardstown comes in the following handicap chase where Ball D’Arc is selected to go one place better than last time.

The five-year-old was a decent hurdler winning at listed and Grade 2 level but fell short of the top level and off a mark of 133 he may be well enough handicapped to win a race of this nature.

Last year’s winner Dysios is back for more and should be suited by conditions, while Jarry D’Honneur will be expected to come on for his first start in a while, but Ball D’Arc may have just bumped into one that was well treated last time in Oscar Knight. He should be able to justify favouritism in what doesn’t look the strongest contest that will be ran at Leopardstown this Christmas.

Recommended Bets:
Identity Thief – 2.20 Leopardstown
Ball D’Arc – 2.55 Leopardstown

*Prices correct at time of publication.