1.20 Leopardstown: 'He hasn't missed a beat and I'm expecting a big run' - is Good Land the real deal?

Let's start with honourable mention of Nigel Twiston-Davies, the only British trainer in the hunt for euros on the first day of the Dublin Racing Festival.

Former Dromahane point-to-point winner Weveallbeencaught built on the promise of his Grade 2 third behind the subsequent Challow Hurdle winner Hermes Allen when landing a maiden hurdle at Cheltenham on New Year's Day.

His run behind Hermes Allen involves a link with Irish form, since Gordon Elliott provided the runner-up Music Drive. That's a concern since Music Drive is inferior to the two Elliott outsiders in this field, Cool Survivor and Absolute Notions, never mind the stable first choice American Mike. However, Weveallbeencaught looks like a horse on the upgrade and the form got a grand boost when runner-up Rock My Way beat the well-fancied Pembroke in a Grade 2 event at Cheltenham last Saturday.

There's a chance the home team is vulnerable. Willie Mullins is bidding to win this for the ninth time in 12 years, but one wonders what to make of Paul Townend's choice of Quais De Paris, who was not overly convincing when landing prohibitive odds in a maiden at Tramore. Stablemate Grangeclare West blotted his copybook at Naas. He coughed after the race but it would have been easier to forgive the lapse if Townend stuck with him.

Sandor Clegane and Deep Cave arrive off the back of a maiden win along with Barry Connell's course winner Good Land, who seems to be held in high regard and could go close.
Race analysis by Alan Sweetman

Good news for Good Land backers

Barry Connell already has a leading Supreme Novices' Hurdle contender in the shape of Marine Nationale, but he could have a big Ballymore hope too as Good Land looked very good when stretching clear to win his maiden hurdle at this track over the Christmas period.

He has been favourite for this Grade 1 all week and is as short as 8-1 for the Ballymore. Connell is expecting a huge run and said: "Good Land is in great shape. He worked earlier this week and everything has gone according to plan. There have been no hiccups since Christmas and he hasn't missed a beat.

"I'd imagine there will be a good bit of improvement to come from him and I'm expecting a big run. All the indicators suggest we will get one."

What they say

Gordon Elliott, trainer of Absolute Notions
Absolute Notions has had only two starts over hurdles and, while he was beaten at Naas last time, I do think there is more to come from him.

Willie Mullins, trainer of Grangeclare West and Quais De Paris
I suppose it's a bit of a surprise Paul picking Quais De Paris but he obviously likes him a lot and he is a horse we have liked all winter. It's a big vote of confidence for him and I think the trip will suit him. He won over two miles at Tramore and Paul expects a really good showing in this top-class novice hurdle. Paul rode Grangeclare West when he disappointed last time and he thinks maybe he hasn't progressed enough yet even though he has two extra furlongs, so Danny takes over. If he came back to his best form he will have a chance, but he has to leave that last run behind him.

Paul Nolan, trainer of Sandor Clegane
He's jumping from a maiden hurdle straight into a Grade 1 so will have to improve, but we're very pleased with him and I'm hoping he can give a good account of himself.

Nigel Twiston-Davies, trainer of Weveallbeencaught
On Racing Post Ratings he's got a chance. We don't know where we stand with the Irish horses, there are no formlines but we'll do our best. He's a very exciting horse. We splashed out to get him, but he looks worth it. All being well, it will be the Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham.
Reporting by David Jennings

Read these next:

1.55 Leopardstown: Triumph Hurdle favourite Lossiemouth out to follow in footsteps of Vauban 

2.30 Leopardstown: five-hand Willie holds all the trump cards but has Townend chosen the right one? 

Members' Club special offer: get exclusive tips and insight FREE for one month 

New customer offer for mobile.  Bet £10 and get £40. Credited as 4 x £10 bets. 18+. From 00:01 on 13.04.2022. £40 bonus. New customers signing up through mobile or tablet device only. Minimum £10 stake on odds of 1/2 (1.5) or greater on sportsbook. Further terms apply. (Desktop users receive bet £10 and get £30 offer). Commercial notice: This article contains affiliate links. Offers are handpicked and come from operators that our experts have first-hand experience of. Opening an account via one of these links will earn revenue for the Racing Post, which will be used to continue producing our award-winning coverage of horseracing.