Friday – Chepstow 14:50
GALIA DES LITEAUX
Ran well for a long way in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury in November. Was a bit slow at the fence four from home and could never really get back to the leaders, eventually finishing seventh. Her very respectable finish of eighth in last year’s Grand National showed she has stamina in abundance and led the race with three fences to jump. With two of her career wins coming on Heavy Ground she will be well suited to the renowned charms of Chepstow in December and her mares allowance of 3lbs against the boys could prove critical in what is always a slog of a finish.
Friday – Leopardstown 14:20
LARK IN THE MORNING
Joseph O’Brien’s four-year-old makes his seasonal reappearance after winning the Fred Winter impressively at the Festival in March. He is only a pound worse off in the weights compared to that day, and if in any similar form should go very close. His race record suggests his trainer thinks he performs best when fresh, so it isn’t a negative that this is his first outing since April, where he finished in the frame, running all the way to the Haydock finish line. Consistent in big field handicaps, he’s yet to finish worse than sixth. He lines up against 22 rivals here and looks great value to run into the places or better.