Treacy aiming to shine again at Leopardstown

Published at Dec 24, 2015, 9:58

Tommy Treacy
© Healy Racing Photos

Vigil's presence in the Thornton's Recycling Maiden Hurdle at Leopardstown is certainly eyecatching as the dual Cheltenham Champion Bumper fifth begins over timber.

To add to the intrigue, the Dansili gelding now has veteran jockey Tommy Treacy in the plate and will sport the silks of well-known gambler Noel Furlong aboard the six-year-old.

Treacy, forever associated with the great Danoli, has enjoyed some of his best days around Leopardstown, including on Tom Foley's star in the Hennessy Gold Cup in 1997, and on Studmaster in the 2006 Pierse Hurdle.

Furlong also famously struck in that Foxrock January highlight with The Illiad, when it came under the Ladbroke banner in 1991, and with Destriero in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham the same year.

Furlong's predominantly black silks will now be on Vigil, with the Dermot Weld inmate having run for Martin Bourke up to this point, while recently returned to the frame Treacy will be seeking a first winner since the summer of 2012.

This two-and-a-quarter-mile heat promises to be an informative affair. For instance, Listowel bumper scorer Volvalien is said to have schooled brilliantly.

Meanwhile, A Toi Phil bids to atone for Tuesday's unfortunate early Clonmel departure, and Don't Touch It is another for the shortlist after a second placing to the useful Stone Hard.

As ever in the handicaps there are Festival regulars back for more. Forty Foot Tom and Treat Yourself, first and second in the 2014 renewal of the 'Download The Free Racing Post Mobile App' Handicap Chase, could feature again.

Half-an-hour before that in the Cardinal Capital Handicap Hurdle, Miradane and Spacious Sky, placed here before, are among a huge field of 22 hopefuls.

The action concludes with the Donohue Marquees I.N.H. Flat Race. Willie Mullins is on record as saying that the Pat Doyle-handled point-to-point winner Bacardys could be top-class. Punters would probably do well to remember as much when the Coastal Path gelding debuts on the racecourse proper at 3.25.