Boxing Day tips for Leopardstown: Landofhopeandglory to call the tune again

Coral horse racing experts give their Leopardstown tips for Boxing Day, with Landofhopeandglory odds fancied on the first day of the Christmas Festival.

Landofhopeandglory odds appeal in Knight Frank

Landofhopeandglory odds make him looks a worthy favourite to land the Grade 2 Knight Frank Juvenile Hurdle on the opening day of Leopardstown’s Christmas Festival (13:15) and further enhance his Triumph Hurdle claims.

The gelding was a smart stayer on the level for Aidan O’Brien and has looked an exciting recruit to the jumping ranks in winning all three starts over hurdles since joining his son Joseph.

After showing a smart turn of foot to score at Fairyhouse and Punchestown, the four-year-old took the step up into Grade 3 company in his stride when landing the Bar One Juvenile Hurdle at the former.

Strong traveller with smart turn of foot

In what was a slow-run tactical, Landofhopeandglory tracked the leaders throughout before being produced at the last by jockey Barry Geraghty where he put in a tremendous leap to draw alongside the enterprisingly ridden Bapaume.

He then quickened nicely to assert close home and win going away by 3/4 of a length and was value for more than the winning margin.

Landofhopeandglory now meets Bapaume on 1lb better terms so there is no real reason why he should not confirm the placings with the runner-up.

The JP McManus owned son of High Chaparral is currently 8/1 joint-favourite with Coral for the Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March and I fully expect him to come through this test and cement his position at the head of the betting for that 2m juvenile contest.