My three picks for Monday at Leopardstown....

Sunday, 1st February 2026

My three picks for Monday at Leopardstown….

In ATC today….

…. I bring you my best picks in Monday’s biggest betting heats….

I’m on HE CAN’T DANCE at 10s in the 2.25 at Leopardstown….

…. I’m on I AM MAXIMUS at 9s in the 3.30 at Leopardstown….

…. and I’m on GOLDEN JOY at 20s in the 4.05 at Leopardstown ….

That’s the summary….

…. you’ll find all my reasoning below – as per usual….

Oh…. and if you’re looking for the standout place terms on offer – you’ll find them in the Bet Box below….

Read on….

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The first bit of good news is that Leopardstown goes ahead this afternoon….

…. you’ll find my picks for there and for Musselburgh right here….

The second bit of good news is that the races we lost at Leopardstwon yesterday will now be run on Monday….

The fields are the same as they were for Saturday….

…. and nothing that’s happened in the last 24 hours has changed my mind about what I want to back….

Here’s a recap – with revised prices….

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Gordon Elliott’s got seven in the Race And Stay At Leopardstown Handicap Hurdle (2.25)….

…. and Jack Kennedy – the yard’s principal rider – takes the gig on the not unfancied Son Of Anarchy….

Fair enough but I’m opposing him with stablemate HE CAN’T DANCE at the general 10s – and it’s worth noting that he wasn’t a viable option for Kennedy given that he carries just 10-4….

He’s ridden instead by Danny Gilligan – who I reckon would have had the pick of the rest….

I base that conclusion on the fact that Elliott saddles just two in the 4.05 – and it’s Gilligan and Kennedy who get the leg-up….

I like Gilligan too. He’s run some good races on Elliott handicappers at big prices at this meeting in the previous couple of years – and I think he flies under the radar a bit….

He Can’t Dance steps up in trip for his first run in a handicap after running on well when third in a maiden at Navan on pretty desperate ground earlier this month….

The cheekpieces are on for the first time too….

…. and he could be a big improver for the extra yardage off a mark of just 125 and getting weight off a fair few of the fancied horses….

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I can’t resist backing I AM MAXIMUS at the 9s for the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown (3.30)….

Plenty of onlookers will tell you that this race is a part of his prep for a run in the Grand National – and I see that argument….

But he was fit enough last time to run a massive race in the Savills Chase over course and distance at Christmas – keeping on well at the finish….

…. and in tomorrow’s attritional conditions his stamina could come into play once again….

Of course, if he won, he’d be blowing his Grand National mark….

…. but I think connections would surely accept that price if he were to win this race tomorrow….

He’s surely got every right to be fitter and better than last time….

…. and surely he can’t just be turning out for a constitutional with connections giving zero thought to how he might win this G1….

…. and Jack Kennedy is a very interesting booking for riding duties….

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Finally, in the Barberstown Castle Handicap Chase at Leopardstown (4.05), I’m sticking with Elliott and Gilligan and I’m backing GOLDEN JOY at the 20s….

He pulled up on seasonal return at Leopardstown – having seen money – after a mistake cost him his chance….

At Naas earlier this month he finished 4/9 and beaten 13-lengths – but those figures don’t tell the full story….

He travelled into the race really nicely under Jack Kennedy and loomed like he was going to play a big part in the finish before he seemed to run out of fuel at the last fence….

He probably needed it and that run might just have put him spot on for this….

…. and another switcheroo of the headgear – first time blinkers off and visor on – suggests that connections are looking for the adjustment that enables the key to turn….

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Now, just to recap….

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That’s all for today….

I’ll be back a little later in the week….

Meantime – contact me at – nick.pullen@spapublishinggroup.co.uk

Stay tuned….

Against the Crowd