Warrior heads Paddy Power weights

The Tony Martin-trained Bog Warrior tops the weights for the €190,000 Paddy Power Chase on Saturday, 27th December, the most valuable race of the four-day Leopardstown Christmas Festival.

Martin, who won the race with Newbay Prop in 2007, has five horses entered including Gallant Oscar, who has been allotted 10st 7lbs and is one of three 12/1 co-favourites with the race sponsor in the first ante-post betting show.

The County Meath trainer could also be represented by the recent Fairyhouse runner-up Sraid Padraig who is set to carry 11st, Living Next Door and Wrong Turn.

Willie Mullins won the race for the first time last year and he has two entered for the 2014 renewal. Abbey Lane (10st 6lbs) has yet to win over fences but is no stranger to big race success over hurdles at Leopardstown and the champion trainer has also entered Dogora as he bids to add to Rockyaboya’s victory 12 months ago.

Gordon Elliott has entered three including last year’s runner-up Cause Of Causes who will carry 11st 5lbs. With a more favourable weight of 10st 4lbs, Elliott also has the gambled-on Troytown Handicap Chase winner Balbriggan, another of the 12/1 co-favourites with Paddy Power, and Vasco Du Mee.

Foxrock, who has been allotted 11st 2lbs is also priced up at 12/1 after his promising return over hurdles at Navan and he could represent trainer Ted Walsh who also has the 2012 winner Colbert Station in the race.

Even higher in the handicap is the smart Alderwood who has 11st 8lbs to carry and other notable entries include Owega Star (10st 12lbs), Tammys Hill (10st 9lbs), Goonyella (10st 8lbs), Los Amigos (10st 7lbs), Grand Jesture (10st 6lbs) and Groody Hill (10st 4lbs).

UK runners have enjoyed fantastic success at Leopardstown this year and cross-channel trainers are responsible for seven entries. The Donald McCain-trained Corrin Wood is only 1lb off top-weight and with 11st 7lbs and 11st 5lbs respectively, the Paul Nicholls-trained Easter Day and Paul Webber’s Cantlow are others at the head of the weights.

Pat Keogh, Leopardstown Chief Executive, said, “On the back of the brilliant entries for our Grade 1 races, I couldn’t be happier with the way the Paddy Power Chase is shaping up. It’s the most valuable race of our Christmas Festival and it promises to be a thrilling race.”

Paddy Power Betting on the Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown on December 27th.

Foxrock 12/1

Gallant Oscar 12/1

Balbriggan 12/1

Easter Day 14/1

Owega Star 14/1

Los Amigos 14/1

Grand Jesture 14/1

Groody Hill 14/1

Colbert Station 16/1

My Murphy 16/1

Sraid Padraig 16/1

Pendra 16/1

Sizing Gold 16/1

Tammys Hill 16/1

Vics Canvas 16/1

Smiles For Miles 16/1

Shes Got Grit 16/1

Cause Of Causes 20/1

Goonyella 20/1

Abbey Lane 20/1

Living Next Door 20/1

The Westener Boy 20/1

Thomond 20/1

Back Off Mate 20/1

Wrong Turn 20/1

Glenquest 20/1

Bog Warrior 25/1

Corrin Wood 25/1

Alderwood 25/1

Dogora 25/1

The Crafty Butcher 25/1

Folsom Blue 25/1

Pandorama 25/1

Tom Horn 25/1

Rogue Angel 25/1

Rich Revival 25/1

Rye Martini 25/1

Daring Article 25/1

Kashline 25/1

Heaney 25/1

Vasco Du Mee 25/1

Jupitor 25/1

Embracing Change 25/1

Sword Fish 25/1

Cantlow 33/1

Rubi Light 33/1

Aupcharlie 33/1

Make A Track 33/1

Tap Night 33/1

Lion Na Bearnai 33/1

Christopher Wren 33/1

Nearly Namad 33/1

Portrait King 33/1

Like Your Style 33/1

The Job Is Right 33/1

Subtle Ben 33/1

Speckled Wood 33/1

Cal Rog 33/1

Snooze 33/1

Behemoth 33/1

Dushrembrandt 33/1

Ipsos Du Berlais 40/1

More Madness 40/1

Thelobstercatcher 40/1

Pollywollydoodle 40/1

Klepht 50/1

Loch Dara 50/1

Milan Breeze 100/1