Good evening Folks, from a wet and dreary Kilkenny city. With a little more than a fortnight to Cheltenham there is hope on the horizon, but in the mean time I have a little competition to warm the cockles of your heart.

So, for those of you who haven’t already heard the amazing news, Leopardstown Racecourse have gone full on crazy by offering under 25’s track membership with the following benefits: 

• Members get admission to 23 racedays (this excludes summer membership, as they get access to 10 racedays)
• Access to the exclusive Members Bar and Circle Lounge on the third floor
• 23 reciprocal days in Ireland and the UK, two yard visits to Coolmore and Tony Martins yard
•  An overseas trip to Cartmel in the UK
• Four complimentary guest passes which includes admission and access to the members bar (these complimentary passes are not valid for Hennessy Gold Cup Day, Champion Stakes Day or the Christmas Festival)
• Two members social evenings, taking place in January and in July during one of our Bulmer’s Live at Leopardstown Summer evenings
• Parade ring presentations made by our members.
• 10% discount in our Restaurant
• 20% off the Irish Field digital edition
• 30% off Racing Post Photos
  
• 20% off clothing at McGuirks Golf Centre, Leopardstown
• Golf deals from Leopardstown Golf Centre

Now a lot  of people find racecourse membership very expensive. However, Leopardstown have seen the light, and are offering people under the age of 25 this membership package for €90.

HANG ON WHAT??

Yes, €90. Thats €3.91 entry per meeting…COME ON! Crazy value. Not to mention all the other bonus deals!

To get the ball rolling on this incredible initiative the lovely people of Leopardstown have given me one Club25 membership to giveaway for nout, nada, zip, zero.

So how can you give yourself a chance at a free membership to Leopardstown? Listen up!

• You must be under 25
• You must have a Twitter Account
• You can enter the draw one of two ways: 

(1) You can retweet any of my tweets (@turftalktom) that contain the hashtag “#Club25”

(2) You can tweet directly “I want to join #Club25 with @turftalktom @LeopardstownRC”

 

I will select the winner, lucky dip style, by 8pm on Sunday evening. Get involved!

It is a fantastic offer!

Slán tamaillín,

T

Good evening, good morning, whatever way you want to put it. I’ve overlooked my duties slightly, and I apologise obtusely for that. One thing led to another, one pint led to another and here I am on a very early Sunday morning typing away. However, never fear, all ye Turf Talk faithful. Luckily, I have already made my selections and they are not drunken stabs in the dark, let me assure you. Although, if they all get beat I may claim such!

There really is a fantastic card on offer at Leopardstown and if you have the opportunity I would encourage each and every one of you to go. There will be a good few Cheltenham pointers.

I’m going to drive on into the card of thats alright?! Tis Late!

13:15 – Gala Retail Spring Juvenile Hurdle – Ivan Grozny is the Mullins-Walsh hot pot here. The common place of Willlie and Ruby at the top of the market is becoming slightly monotonous and is, in my eyes, calling into question the constitution of odds compilers across the industry. The horses they have are not always that good, lads! Grow a pair. Whilst Ivan Grozny does seem sharp I feel Plinth may have the measure of him, and at the prices is most certainly my selection.

13:45 – Irish Stallion Farms E.B.F. Mares Handicap Hurdle – The only way to describe this race, in print, is “pffffff” i.e. your guess is as good as mine. However, I feel Lughnasa, after a good run at Thurles last time and with a 7 lb claimer should be competitive enough for an each way chance. At a bigger price, I also think Keiths Delight could make the frame.

14:15 – Deloitte Novice Hurdle – I’m becoming more and more besotted by The Tullow Tank with every passing day. He is game, which for me is a pre-requisite for any top two mile novice hurdler. He steps up to 2m 2f here, but I’m still confident in him. One to watch, but not back, is Quickpick Vic. He could be aimed for Cheltenham after winning with his head in his chest at this track recently. Interesting to see how he goes/is ridden.

14:45 – Dr. P.J. Moriarty Novice Chase – It really is a travesty that this race is so poorly attended this year. Three runners is not what Irish Grade 1 Novice chasing is about. The premise of Novice Chasing in recent years, on both sides of the water, is based on what the Irish produce. Three runners is a disappointment. Don Cossack to win, but I won’t be betting.

15:15 – Download The New Paddy Power iPad App Handicap Hurdle – Hmmmm. I’m perplexed by this but yet have a hunch. The Doorman, in his first handicap had a live each way chance. I reckon the McManus camp believe there’s a win in this lad this season yet. Dul ar an Ol also catches the “each way eye”.

15:50 – Hennessy Gold Cup – My views on this are fairly succinct. Lyreen Legend apparently has a stone to find on First Lieutenant. I fancy his 5/1 chance.

16:20 – Raymond Smith Memorial Hunters Chase  – It saddens me greatly that Salsify will miss the business end of the Hunter Chase season. It will please me greatly when Quel Esprit wins at 3/1 tomorrow.

16:50 – kieranoconnellracing.com (Pro/Am) Flat Race – Let me shed a little bit of wisdom on you here kids. A good rule to abide by when looking at bumpers on heavyish ground is to look to horses with experience. Often times I’ve found the “first-time-outers” do not enjoy the heavier going. However, in this instance, I am going to break this golden rule. The “vibes” I’ve been getting about Lockstockandbarrell are very, very groovy vibes folks. Very groovy indeed.

So that’s that. Tá tuirseach orm anois. Oíche mhaith agaibh, mo chairde.

Slán Tamaillín,

T