Jane Mangan’s William Hill blog: Leopardstown December Hurdle Day Best Bets

William Hill ambassador Jane Mangan previews Leopardstown’s December Hurdle Day, where Lossiemouth and Brighterdaysahead clash in the feature.

Monday, Leopardstown

I’ll kick off my fancies in the Academy Hurdle (11:40) and I like the profile of Kilbarry Lizzy. She is a well-bred sister to Journey With Me and she has improved from her first to second run. Her last run when she was second to Cool Cafe at Navan was very solid and she looked like the most likely winner at the last hurdle, only to get outstayed on the run to the line. On that run she holds the re-opposing Lynches Knock. And with Michael Kenneally taking seven pounds off her, she only has ten stone on her back, which really should enhance her chances. It’s Kilbarry Lizzy in the opener for me.

In the Maiden Hurdle (12:12) over two-and-a-half miles I like Frankie John. He has had three runs over hurdles and while he still remains a maiden, he has had some very good runs in defeat, including when he was third last time behind Kalypso’chance in the Grade 3 Monksfield Novices’ Hurdle. He is a bumper winner who looks like he stays very well, and I think against more inexperienced rivals he should have no problem.

The Novice Handicap Hurdle (12:47) over two-and-a-half miles looks like a good contest, but I think Fierce Handay in the colours of JP McManus has a very good chance of doubling up after winning a novice handicap at Fairyhouse last time over two miles. The extra step up in trip will help, but the 11-pound penalty won’t. However, he made such an impression at Fairyhouse, beating Kentucky Beach pretty much as he liked back earlier in December. I think he is a strong travelling horse and, being by Doyen out of a Beneficial mare, he should have no problem with his extra half mile.

The December Hurdle (14:32) looks a cracking contest, and I think it sets up perfectly for Lossiemouth. What is not to like? I don’t like the route that Brighterdaysahead has taken. Having been intended to go over fences, she has obviously been difficult to train since her win in this race last year. She was a no show at Cheltenham and I just don’t think she is as reliable as Lossiemouth, who has never been out of the first two. Despite the underperformance of some of the Willie Mullins stable, Lossiemouth can consolidate her run when comprehensively winning a weaker renewal of the Morgiana. If she is their leading two-mile hurdler even, she should account for these and be the closest pursuer to Sir Gino in the division.

In the final race, the bumper (15:40), we all know winners generally win winners’ bumpers. That sounds silly but there are plenty of maidens trying. I like Bud Fox. I was really impressed with what he did at the Punchestown Festival last April, and while I was a little disappointed with his third in a Listed bumper at Cheltenham last time in November, I think the yard was under a little bit of a cloud then and they are running better now. With Derek O’Connor booked, I think Bud Fox can win the last.