Lucky 15 Tips: Madara can return to winning ways

There are five meetings across Britain and Ireland Tuesday, with the top-quality action at Leopardstown now one of three afternoon cards, followed by an evening fixture on the AW.

Kempton gets the ball rolling at 12:52, with Southwell off at 13:02 before the second day of the Dublin Racing Festival at Leopardstown is under way at 13:15, while Wolverhampton provides the evening entertainment from 17:00. Below is my Lucky 15 selection for Monday's action.

13:15 Leopardstown - Kazansky @ 5/1

Conditions are going to be very testing at Leopardstown and this 2m6f could turn into a proper slog. That could suit Gordon Elliott’s KAZANSKY, who won a graded contest at Limerick over Christmas on heavy ground.

The six-year-old looked booked for second at Down Royal in October but a last-flight faller badly hampered him and Sam Ewing was ejected from the saddle.

Kazansky was a fortuitous winner at Cork after that as Le Labo was four lengths ahead and looking like the winner before coming down at the last. There was nothing lucky about his victory at Limerick though and he saw the 2m7f trip out well to score by a head.

A stiff test of stamina will suit him here and as the six-year-old is likely to get it, he should be very much in the mix.

14:02 Kempton - Sunset Boulevard @ 16/1

SUNSET BOULEVARD was previously trained by Willie Mullins and the son of Wings Of Eagles is now set to make his first start for the Venetia Williams stable. He struggled a little in two bumpers but took a big step forward over hurdles at Tramore.

He battled on well to get the better of stablemate Ellis Mor by just shy of a length back in May and should be capable of progressing over timber.

Yard form is a slight concern but this is an exciting recruit and big things are expected.

14:25 Leopardstown - County Final @ 4/1

Lightly raced novice COUNTY FINAL was very impressive when bolting up in a maiden hurdle at Navan in September. The further they went, the more lengths he put between himself and the rest of the field, ultimately winning by 16 lengths.

A mistake at the second last left him with some ground to make up when second in a novice handicap over 2m1f at Punchestown after that but he stayed on strongly in a manner which suggested longer trips would be more suitable.

It was a bold move to throw him into graded company at Limerick next time but he ran an absolute cracker to finish second by a narrow margin.

Three-mile handicap hurdles may well bring out the best in him and McManus’ retained rider is on board.

15:07 Kempton - Madara @ 9/4

Dan Skelton is in pole position to win a first trainers’ title this season and he runs the 140-rated MADARA in this Handicap Chase.

The seven-year-old was off the track for well over a year before running over just shy of two miles at Wetherby over Christmas, a run which the gelding is likely to improve plenty for.

The son of Doctor Dino finished second in the 2024 December Gold Cup off this mark with this Class 3 event looking significantly easier. A big run is expected.

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