Barry Geraghty’s William Hill blog: State Man to get Backtonormal service at Leopardstown

William Hill ambassador is back to preview another fantastic day of action on day two of the Dublin Racing Festival from Leopardstown, as well as the Edinburgh National at Musselburgh.

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Leopardstown, Sunday

BALLYBURN (1:10pm) was the standout novice hurdler from last season. He put in a good performance first time out over fences this season, but then didn’t have the pace for Sir Gino over two miles around Kempton. That wasn’t a surprise though, and I don’t think he lost anything in defeat there. This step back up in trip is really going to play to Ballyburn’s strengths. Impaire Et Passe is a really good horse but for me I don’t think he has improved on his hurdles form over fences. He’s the main danger, but I’m very much in the Ballyburn camp with more to come over this trip.

Next up is the Grade 1 Tattersalls Ireland Novice Hurdle (1:40pm) over two miles. KOPEK DES BORDES was very impressive when beating Kawaboomga in his maiden hurdle over this course and distance in December. That rival has won well since then, so the form looks very strong. His main danger could be stablemate Kaid d’Authie, but his form was slightly let down after Koktail Divin, who finished behind him in his maiden hurdle, was well beaten by Kawaboomga next time out. That suggests Kaid d’Authie has a bit to find with Kopek Des Bordes on form.

You’d have to be a little bit disappointed with GAELIC WARRIOR on his reappearance but some of Willie’s [Mullins] might not have been firing over Christmas. I imagine he’ll improve a lot for his reappearance, especially with a first-time tongue tie. There are a couple of question marks over that last display, but he’s still the one you’d want to be on in the Dublin Chase (2:10pm). SOLNESS, who had the benefit of a run, beat Gaelic Warrior last time and he could be the one each-way if you were wanting to take on the favourite. It’s also interesting to see El Fabiolo coming back but the vibes with him seem to be that this is a run with a view to stepping up in trip later in the season.

In an open and competitive Leopardstown Handicap Chase (2:45pm), I thought BACKTONORMAL was an interesting runner. He’s had three runs over fences and they’ve all been over lesser trips, but now he steps up beyond two-and-a-half miles, having won a valuable handicap hurdle at last year’s Punchestown Festival over a similar trip. Back at what looks like his preferred distance, he could be of interest on handicap chase debut for a yard that do well in these races.

Paul Townend has chosen to ride STATE MAN in the Irish Champion Hurdle (3:20pm) and I get the impression the Mullins yard think State Man is their main contender for the Champion Hurdle in March. With the exception of last time, State Man has a brilliant record at Leopardstown, and for me Paul has picked the horse that he thinks is best. Lossiemouth has mainly been running over two-and-a-half miles and I see that as her optimal trip.

In the closing Grade 2 bumper (4:25pm), I thought AMEN KATE could be some value against the favourite. She was very impressive when winning in Listowel where she beat Carrigmoornaspruce, who has gone on to win twice since. Patrick Mullins rode her that day, so he may know how to beat her, but I think it’s interesting she was put away for this race after winning in September.

Musselburgh, Sunday

Musselburgh can be a bit of a specialist track as you need plenty of speed, particularly as the ground never gets too soft there, but in a race like the Edinburgh National (2:25pm) you obviously also need to stay well. SURREY QUEST, based on both his recent form and his run in the Scottish Grand National last year, is the one to be on. He lost out by the narrowest of margins at Ayr last spring, and returned this season with a good second at Cheltenham. Last time out he was still going well enough when unseating too. In what looks a tricky race, I think he fits the bill best.