4.00pm Leopardstown Tips & Betting Preview 28/02/2016

DRESSEDTOTHENINES undoubtedly needs to build on the form of her seventh at Navan in December but she was returning from a two-year absence that day and there were positives to be drawn from that performance. Barry Geraghty takes over today and she’s well handicapped if her old ability remains. Bearly Legal looked in excellent nick when scoring over C&D last month and is feared most. Unic De Bersy and Aurora Bell are others to consider.

Free Tip: Dressothenines at 5/1

ROGUE ANGEL – Produced new career-best performance to win Kerry National at Listowel (3m, heavy) in September but wasn’t in same form on either subsequent appearance; might have been freshened-up by four-month break but today’s drop back in trip probably not ideal.

UNIC DE BERSY – Won Wexford beginners’ chase (2m4f, good to soft) in October, his second start for Gordon Elliott, and probably bettered that form when runner-up in two 3m1f handicaps last month; not himself when pulled up in Thyestes Chase last time but a player here if back on song.

YOUR BUSY – Old-timer who looked as good as ever when close second at last year’s Aintree festival (3m1f, good) and was also placed twice in October; ran poorly after break at Sandown last month, though, and may need further than 2m5f to be seen to best effect nowadays.

BALLYADAM APPROACH – Second of two wins last April came in valuable event at Punchestown festival (2m4f, good to yielding); good chance if able to replicate that performance but seen only once so far this season, when down the field over hurdles in November.

MALT GEM – Back from break with easy win at Gowran (2m2f, heavy) in November and will be fine over today’s trip but seems to have lost his way since then and has failed to complete both races this year; needs first-time cheekpieces to help him bounce back.

DRAYCOTT PLACE – Can be excused last month’s defeat in Grade 2 chase and was in the front rank before chance-ending mistake at penultimate flight over hurdles two starts ago; versatile trip-wise but doesn’t look particularly well handicapped now back over fences.

BEARLY LEGAL – Has 4-11 strike-rate over fences after scoring by 4l over C&D (soft) five weeks ago; 7lb higher in a more competitive race this time but evidently in excellent nick and no surprise if he’s in the thick of things again.

FEDERICI – Just one win from 12 starts over fences and hasn’t been firing on all cylinders over hurdles since returning from break in November (although did finish second two starts ago); reverts to chasing on career-high mark and others make more appeal.

COLMS DREAM – Struck form and completed a hat-trick in the autumn but shot up the weights as a consequence and comes here after falling on consecutive outings; further progress possible if confidence not affected, but he appears to favour faster ground; hood now added.

DRESSEDTOTHENINES – Won Grade 3 novice chase at Cork (2m1f, soft) in late 2013 and made fairly encouraging return from very long absence in 2m4f handicap in December; interesting to see how she fares with that run under her belt and Barry Geraghty taking over.

AURORA BELL – Former hunter chaser who gamely won two handicaps last season (3m/2m6f) and made pleasing reappearance when fourth in Troytown Chase at Navan (3m, soft) in November; also ran well over hurdles after another break this month and remains quite lightly raced.

RIVERSIDE CITY – Dug deep to win Troytown at Navan (3m, soft) in November and was creditable sixth in Paddy Power Chase over 3m here in December; however, his latest run was disappointing, he may find today’s trip a bit sharp and has been overlooked by Barry Geraghty.

KYLECRUE – Ran quite a bit better than 32l defeat might suggest when sixth in 3m hurdle here last month but has been pulled up in last two chases and remains a risky proposition until offering more conclusive proof that he’s back in form.

THE MOOCH – 2-3 since fitted with blinkers, and displayed tenacious attitude to prevail over 2m1f here last month; unexposed over this sort of trip but latest 5lb rise asks a lot of him in a stronger race today.

myracing Forecast Prices: 4/1 Dressedtothenines, 5/1 Bearly Legal, 8/1 Colms Dream, 10/1 Unic De Bersy, Aurora Bell, Riverside City, The Mooch, 12/1 Rogue Angel, Ballyadam Approach, Federici, 16/1 Your Busy, Malt Gem, Draycott Place, 25/1 Kylecrue