Paul Townend looks ahead to a busy weekend at Leopardstown

I have a big weekend ahead at Leopardstown which starts with Jon Snow (12.35). Over two and a half miles we are hoping he will come on for his first run in Cork where we were disappointed he got beat.

It’s a Leopardstown maiden hurdle so itis going to be tough work but hopefully he can build on his first start and dothe job here.

Eight And Bob (12.50) was good when he won in Gowran two runs ago and went to England where he was a no-show, to put it bluntly. He is creeping up the handicap the whole time. 

In fairness to him he was veryconsistent on the Flat but I would be hopeful more than confident here. If heruns into a place we would be delighted but he has to leave that last poor runbehind him.

Allaho (1.25) is a really exciting novice chaser. His schooling has been very good.

He ran to a high level over hurdleslast season and we think the switch to fences will bring about a bit ofimprovement. He will probably be favourite and I think he has a favourite’schance.

I had a decision to make in the three mile hurdle and have gone for Bacardys (2.00).

I know it was Penhil’s first run last time but Bacardys was a long way ahead of him and if you took Honeysuckle out we would have been good winners. 

So I have stuck with Bacardys who isgoing into the race in good order and three miles won’t be a worry. Apple’sJade hasn’t been firing on all cylinders yet this season and Unowhatimeanharryis getting on in years.

I would imagine Penhill will run betterthan he did at Fairyhouse but I am riding the horse going in there with thebest form.

It’s really exciting to be riding Kemboy (3.10). Things haven’t gone right for us in the big races at this festival yet but hopefully we can turn it around here.

It’s his first run of the season. He isnot a hard horse to get fit so hopefully that won’t count against him. 

It’s a good race. Presenting Percy rana cracker in Punchestown behind Min and the step up to three miles will suithim. Road To Respect’s form was boosted by Clan Des Obeaux winning the KingGeorge.

So it will be a tough race but I thinkthe drying ground will suit Kemboy who was very good in the race last year.

Bar Cheltenham his form last season wasvery good. It’s brilliant to get him back on the track and we are hoping forthe best.

Sunday

We are hopefully back for more on Sunday where I start on The Big Getaway (12.45).

He has done nothing wrong and hisschooling has been very good. I would be hoping he can run a good race here andprogress from it.

Cobbler’s Way was second to AndyDufresne and that looks good form but we like our horse a lot.

I had plenty of decisions to make in the Mares Hurdle and chose Stormy Ireland (1.20) on ratings. She got her season off to a good start and this race looks tailormade for her.

She ran a cracker at the CheltenhamFestival finishing second, although she would only have been third if Benie DesDieux hadn’t fallen. Her Punchestown form with Benie Des Dieux is very good.

Carefully Selected (1.55) is similar to Allaho in that we think fences can bring about improvement. I thought he did very well to come back from a mistake with Danny in Fairyhouse and win again.

It’s a tough race with Minella Indo,who got turned over by Laurina in Gowran but who will be suited to the step upto three miles as a dual Grade 1 winner, and Battleoverdoyen among the field.

They will be tough opposition forCarefully Selected but we will know a lot more after this.

Klassical Dream (2.30) has to leave a disappointing run in Punchestown behind him in all honesty. I think he can improve a good bit for that. He will probably have to.

I was very impressed by Coeur Sublimein the north. Sharjah will be suited by the better ground and there wasn’t awhole lot between Aramon and Klassical Dream last season at a couple ofmeetings.

He is probably the forgotten horse inthe race. But it’s time for Klassical Dream to step up to the mark.

Think Positive (3.05) has been a bit disappointing and is probably up against it. He has flickers of nice form and a run into a place would be a good run for him

Paul