Leopardstown Tips: Two selections for Friday’s action

The feast of festive racing continues on Friday as Leopardstown hosts another high-class card featuring a couple of Grade 1s.

One of my two selections for the meeting runs in the first of those - while I've a strong fancy in the penultimate handicap.

13:45 - Favori De Champdou @ 10/3

It's very testing ground at Leopardstown, which will suit Gordon Elliott's Favori De Champdou more than most.

The eight-year-old has taken his form to new heights since going chasing this season, making a promising debut at Galway in late October before a 14-length success in the G2 Florida Pearl Novice Chase at Punchestown just over a month ago.

That race fell apart somewhat, but it was still a mighty performance from the selection, who I think is being overlooked here.

The general consensus seems to be that Flooring Porter, who hung badly left under pressure behind Favori De Champdou, will reverse form now he returns to a left-handed track, but I'm not so sure. The latter is an extremely strong stayer and he looked to have plenty left under the bonnet at Punchestown.

Corbetts Cross and Grangeclare West are worthy adversaries too, but the selection's love for deep ground - on top of his form of course - makes him the bet here.

14:55 - Waterford Whispers @ 5/2

Just over an hour later is an 80-130 novice handicap hurdle over 2m4f, which has attracted 13 runners (for now - don't be surprised if there's ground-related non-runners).

The one I'm backing is Henry De Bromhead's Waterford Whispers, who looks to have been given a real chance by the handicapper.

The five-year-old son of Westerner has been handed an opening mark of 123, which could prove rather generous.

His maiden victory at Galway a couple of months ago was given a fair boost when the runner-up Ataboycharlie won a 23-runner handicap hurdle at Leopardstown on Boxing Day - while at Limerick that same day a horse called Answer To Kayf, who the selection beat cosily at Fairyhouse earlier this month, was only beaten 1½L in a competitive Grade 2.

His form is really working out and, as a thrice-raced individual, there's surely plenty more improvement to come, so he gets a confident vote (he's also my NAP of the Day) in the card's penultimate contest.