Poker Party looks the part in Leopardstown feature The €50,000 TRI Equestrian Handicap Chase is the feature on a seven-race card at Leopardstown on Sunday and Poker Party holds strong claims for Henry de Bromhead and Rachael Blackmore. The Robcour-owned gelding won twice over two and a half miles at Naas last season and enjoyed his finest hour to-date when stepped up to three miles to land the Guinness Kerry National at the Listowel Festival. He backed that up off an 8lb higher mark when making the frame in the Paddy Power Chase here at the Christmas meeting and this extended two miles and five furlongs trip should prove enough of a stamina test on the rain-softened ground. Anibale Fly has gone over two years without a win but has been placed in the last two Cheltenham Gold Cups and finished in the money twice in the Randox Health Grand National. However, the top-weight has been very disappointing in three outings this term and connections will be looking for some sparkle as he builds towards the Aintree showpiece on April 4. Jessica Harrington has her team in good form at present and Jetz is an interesting runner in the New Leopardstown Racing Hall Hurdle. The Flemensfirth gelding has been keeping good company over fences this season and now reverts to hurdles for the first time in nearly two years. Mengli Khan, Listen Dear and the long-time absent Charli Parcs are others to consider in this two and a quarter miles event. Harrington could get the afternoon off to a good start with Barrington Court in the Anton O’Toole Memorial Mares Novice Hurdle. The Listed bumper winner opened her account over hurdles at Punchestown recently, and may now have most to fear from Larquebuse and Darrens Hope. Any Second Now warmed up for the Grand National when successful at Naas last Sunday and his trainer Ted Walsh could be on the mark again with Batcio in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Rated Novice Chase. The front-running grey gelding was still in the lead when falling at the penultimate fence last time in a valuable handicap here at the Dublin Racing Festival.
