Rich Ricci runner 9-2 favourite from 10 to land same Leopardstown handicap hurdle won by Gaelic Warrior last year

Bialystok has been backed into 9-2 favouritism for the Listed 2m handicap hurdle (3.50) at Leopardstown, having been 10-1 with bet365 on Sunday morning.

Willie Mullins landed the race with Gaelic Warrior last year and punters are hoping he will be able to repeat the feat with another Susannah Ricci-owned winner ridden by Paul Townend.

Bialystok has been winless in four starts this season but was an encouraging fourth behind Farren Glory, who runs in the 2m Grade 1 novice hurdle (1.40), in the Royal Bond when last seen in December.

He reverts to handicap company off 8lb higher than his last winning mark, with his rating 5lb lower than the one his stablemate Gaelic Warrior defied when justifying odds-on favouritism in this race.

Despite Bialystok being strong in the betting, Johnny Dineen raised concerns over the market leader's chance on the Racing Post's Good Morning Dublin show and said: "It looks a bad price. 

"I never really rated this horse. He has bits and pieces of form but he's had some bad runs too. He wouldn't be for me, I wouldn't back him at 10 or 12-1 either. I wouldn't overly fancy him. I'm not sure where it's come from."

Last year's runner-up Nibiru will not attempt to go one better after being taken out by his trainer Tony Martin due to the going leaving Bialystok to take on 20 rivals. 

The going on the chase track at Leopardstown, which had been soft throughout Saturday's action, has improved to yielding to soft, soft in places after a dry night.

Conditions are set to remain testing on the hurdles track though and clerk of the course Lorcan Wyer said: “The rail on the hurdles track has gone in a good, strong five yards. The inside three sections of hurdles are fresh.

“We feel this line, even though it’s fresh ground, is just walking that little bit slower and testing. We’re calling it soft, soft to heavy in places so that’ll be interesting to see how it rides. There’s been no changes to the chase racing line."

Baby Kate was a comfortable winner of a Listed mares' bumper at Cheltenham's November meeting but she will not attempt to follow up that success in Leopardstown's finale (4.25) after being ruled out of the Grade 2 with a cough.

Mullins still has an excellent chance of landing the mares' bumper for the third time in four years despite Baby Kate's absence as he is represented by Aurora Vega, Femme Magnifique and Fleur Au Fusil, who are unbeaten in five combined starts under rules.

Updated at 12.10pm

Non-runners

Leopardstown

12.40 11 Still Ciel (in season)
1.10 1 American Mike (ground), 3 Found A Fifty (ran yesterday), 5 Grangeclare West (cast in box)
3.50 18 Nibiru (change in going)
4.25 2 Baby Kate (coughing), 3 Roedora (change in going), 8 Ma Belle Etoile (cast in box)

Updated at 9.30am

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