Top commentator Simon Holt expects Willie Mullins to lift the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown on Sunday - check out his opinions and best bets.
Racing betting tips: Sunday, February 7
1pt win Keeper Hill in 2.55 Musselburgh at 4/1
1pt win Melon in 3.40 Leopardstown at 4/1
For details of advised bookmakers and each-way terms, visit our transparent tipping record
The Dublin Festival continues at Leopardstown on Sunday when the Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup features a near repeat of December's Savills Chase, and MELON is fancied to come out on top this time.
The four-time Cheltenham Festival runner-up was trying three miles for the first time over Christmas and, under a surprisingly positive ride, he took up the running easily in the back straight before being headed approaching the final fence.
While never able to rally well enough to catch A Plus Tard and the re-opposing Kemboy, Melon gave me the distinct impression that he was the best horse in the race and that, under a more patient ride, he would have taken some beating.
Some of the competitiveness of the Savills was diminished, however, as both Minella Indo and Delta Work failed to get round, the latter not travelling particularly well before unseating Sean Flanagan.
Jack Kennedy resumes his partnership with Delta Work this time but last year's Cheltenham Gold Cup fifth has something to prove now.
Minella Indo, caught dramatically close home by Champ in last season's RSA Chase, shaped extremely well when beating small fields at Wexford and Navan but his early departure in the Savills was a big surprise.
The 2019 Albert Bartlett winner is just what one might look for in a future Cheltenham Gold Cup winner but a confidence-building clear round is badly needed here.
Musselburgh needs to pass a morning inspection but, if doing so, KEEPER HILL is fancied to defy top weight in the Pertemps Network Group Handicap Hurdle.
Third in this race last year off a 5lb higher mark, Adrian Heskin's mount failed to convince in three starts over fences earlier this season but appeared to appreciate a return to the smaller obstacles when chasing home the superior On The Blind Side and Lil Rockerfeller in a conditions hurdle at Market Rasen last month.
While no match for the first two, Keeper Hill travelled well before getting outpaced entering the home straight and this represents a drop in class.
Irish raider Whirling Dervish, who finished seventh in the Cesarewitch in October, has plenty of ability but a patchy profile, and has changed stables since finishing sixth over hurdles at Punchestown in early December.
Published at 1720 GMT on 06/02/21
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