Jane Mangan’s William Hill blog: Like the look of One at Leopardstown

Leopardstown, Sunday

Sunday kicks off with the Paddy Mullins Mares handicap hurdle (12.40pm) and given it’s name you’d imagine it would be a race that Willie Mullins targets. He actually hasn’t won it since 2012 and this year his sole runner, RISK BELLE, looks interesting. She was a bit disappointing over Christmas but I like the form of her win over Nusret and before that Monbeg Park – both of whom are pretty useful. She was also third in the Boodles at Cheltenham last year and there should be more to come being just a five-year-old.

The Grade 1 Novice Chase (1.10pm) looks a belter with Gaelic Warrior, Fact To File, and Grangeclare West all lining up. It’s the beauty of the Dublin Racing Festival that all three take each other on as it would almost certainly not happen at Cheltenham. I haven’t got a betting opinion on the race, but it should be a brilliant watch.

I fancy BALLYBURN to win the Grade 1 novice hurdle (1.40pm). He should be very tough to beat but the one at bigger odds I’d lean towards is DADDY LONG LEGS each-way. It was too bad to be true at Leopardstown over Christmas on ground that was too soft for him. If he gets any sort of good ground then he should run much better.

I was there the day he beat Cleatus Poolaw at Thurles by 13 lengths and he’s come out and won by eight lengths at Naas since, so the form has substance.

Mullins is very well represented in the 2m5f handicap chase (3.20pm) and his Meetingofthewaters will be popular after he won last time. He’s gone up 15 pounds for that though so life will be much tougher for him, and I actually like one that finished behind him that day in JAMES DU BERLAIS.

Paul Townend has picked him and while he’s probably not the Grade 1 horse of yesteryear, this could be a good chance for him to get back on the winning trail.

Eoin Griffin has a great chance in the Listed handicap hurdle (3.50pm) with ONE LAST TANGO. He won at Leopardstown over Christmas and a rise of nine pounds looks fair for how well he won. Mark Walsh has picked him from the JP McManus battalion and that could be a tip in itself.

Plenty of nice types in the closing mares bumper (4.25pm), but at a decent price I’ll put up MA BELLE ETOILE. She won’t be on too many shortlists but I’m hearing a few positive vibes from connections, and to my mind, John Kiely is the best bumper trainer in the country.

Hopefully she springs a bit of a surprise at big odds.