Sunday Racing Tips: Fact to file his Cheltenham ticket at Leopardstown

It’s going to be a busy Sunday with four meetings across Britain and Ireland and some top drawer action from both sides of the Irish Sea.

First off is Leopardstown’s Dublin Racing Festival card, whilst Lingfield and Musselburgh swifty follow. The evening all-weather action comes from Newcastle and their eight-race card should provide some enjoyable and competitive racing.

Amongst our Sunday fancies is one for Willie Mullins who could upset his stablemate and make a serious statement ahead next month’s Cheltenham Festival.

13:10 Leopardstown - Fact To File @ 6/4

Willie Mullins has both runners left in this race following three withdrawals from the five-runner field, and FACT TO FILE is the one that draws the eye. He could hardly have been more impressive when getting off the mark at the second time of asking over fences.

This son of Poliglote jumped like a stag throughout the contest and breezed to the head of the field, before pulling away emphatically. It has to be said that he was a little flat behind American Mike on chase debut at Navan before that but plenty of Mullins’ horses were needing their runs at that time and he’s come on bundles since.

It’s rare for Willie Mullins to send a horse straight over fences after a bumper campaign but it’s easy to see why he has done so in this case.

This horse clearly has a substantial engine and he could be the one to side with at the prices here, en route to the Cheltenham Festival.

15:35 Musselburgh - Outlaw Peter @ 7/2

Look out for OUTLAW PETER at Musselburgh as the Paul Nicholls-trained gelding is a lightly raced chaser who could have plenty more to give over the larger obstacles.

This son of Mustameet was pretty useful over hurdles, winning four times, and made a successful start to his chasing career at Newton Abbot in September. He jumped and travelled really nicely when second at Kempton last time out and that race tends to work out well. He’s perhaps a little unfortunate to go up 3lb for that effort but it’s unlikely that he’s finished progressing in this sphere.

Title-chasing Harry Cobden is on board and he’ll undoubtedly be on the charge for more winners. Paul Nicholls does love to target this meeting and had a winner on the card last year.

There’s more to come from Outlaw Peter over the larger obstacles and this is a good opportunity to return to winning ways.

15:20 Leopardstown - Classic Getaway @ 8/1

CLASSIC GETAWAY has failed to live up to his whopping £570,000 price tag thus far but has still shown a fair level of form on his day.

Willie Mullins’ eight-year-old was outstayed in a Grade 3 chase over 2m7f at Tramore last time out and should be suited by the step back in trip.

An easy winner of a Listed race at Thurles on his penultimate start, subsequent Cotswolds Chase-winner Capodanno was 26 lengths behind him in sixth. He made all the running that day and travelled very powerfully.

This is his first start in a handicap and it’s certainly an interesting move. It’s fair to say that the handicapper has hardly given him a freebie with this opening mark but if producing his best form here, there’s every chance he can be right in the mix.

Check out the rest of our Horse Racing Tips here.