Today's Irish horse racing tips: Leopardstown – Eamonn Hames' top betting preview for Saturday

TRAINER Willie Mullins has won the last two renewals of this with Rich Ricci’s Let Dance and it would be disappointing if he does not do the business again this year with LIMINI.

She’s not been seen over the sticks much since an injury saw her sidelined last year, but she came back in rude health on the flat earlier this year and is now rated over 100 in that sphere.

Her form over hurdles before that was miles clear of anything her rivals here have achieved — so much so that she even beat Apple’s Jade by a snug couple of lengths at Punchestown in early last year.

Good Thyne Tara and Forge Meadow are solid enough at this level and Elimay is full of promise, but none of them would be able to live with Limini at her best.

Her recent return in the Hatton’s Grace should have left her spot on for this.

With trip and conditions ideal, she should have no problems utilising her turn of foot against these inferior rivals.

1.55

NOT the strongest of renewals of the Neville Hotels Novice Chase and likely favourite DELTA WORK should have too many gears for his rivals.

Gordon Elliott’s five-year-old is improving with experience and he looked as good as ever when landing the Drinmore at Fairyhouse in snug fashion.

His jumping on this sort of ground is top notch and he just looks at a different level to today’s rivals.

Gigginstown are leaving nothing to chance with four of the selection’s six rivals, and the best of their quartet could be Mortal.

Joseph O’Brien’s six-year-old was nothing special over hurdles but he looked to have taken to his fences really well when winning at Fairyhouse.

Ben Dundee has plenty to find now stepping up to three miles, Blow By Blow needs to dominate to have any chance and Judgement Day, Moonshine Bay and Nick Lost could all struggle now running at this high a level.

2.30

THERE is no getting away from the fact that the aura of invincibility has been lost, but I haven’t given up on SAMCRO and I expect to see the display we all know he’s capable of in today’s Ryanair Hurdle.

It was surprising to see how easily Buveur D’Air brushed him aside at Newcastle, but that one’s defeat to a stablemate at Kempton on St Stephen’s Day illustrates how funny things can happen in this game.

Samcro was forced to make his own pace at Newcastle and it did not bring out the best in him.

However, lessons have been learned and his connections have responded by sending Tombstone along with him to Leopardstown this time.

The thing to really take from that Newcastle run was just how much distance there was from Samcro back to the third.

He put real daylight between himself and talented rivals in behind, but that was rather lost in the eight lengths that Buveur D'Air beat him.

With Tombstone setting a good gallop and Petit Mouchoir keeping him honest, Samcro should have an ideal tow into the race and that should hopefully see him produce his very best.

Supasundae travelled supremely well before running out of steam on his reappearance in the Hatton’s Grace, but he has always needed a run to get him ready so today will have been the target all along. Jessica Harrington could go over any trip with this fellow, so the fact that she has him running here must be respected.

Sharjah may have won the Galway and Morgiana Hurdles in two of his four starts this season, but it is still a surprise to see him so close up in the betting.

Melon is feared much more of the Closutton pair.

He gave Buveur D’Air a fight all the way to the line at Cheltenham and his record when fresh is excellent.

Bedrock has to be respected after his Down Royal win, but it would be a surprise to see him in the mix. Melon and Supasundae set a very high standard and they should fight it out for the places.

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3.05

IT’S hard to get away from just how impressive GALLANT JOHN JOE was at Punchestown.

He displayed speed that I did not know he had and I liked the way he stretched clear late on.

An opening mark of 124 could be lenient given the way he won that day and the 5lb Barry Browne takes off sees him in here below the eleven stone mark.

This is a field packed full of progressive types, so he doesn’t have things easy, but this five-year-old gets conditions exactly how he likes them and he should put up a bold showing.

Jack Dillinger, Vinnie The Hoddie and Petit Tartare give Joseph O’Brien a strong hand in this handicap, but not as strong as Henry De Bromhead’s.

His Minella Times could be as well in as the selection is off a mark of 124 and his Milliner has a profile that screams handicap snip.

Court Tycoon is running well without winning, Vocarium is worth another chance after flopping here on Wednesday and Court Maid looked on good terms with herself when winning snugly at Punchestown.

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