ALTHOUGH the fields for the two big Grade 1 races at Leopardstown’s DRF meeting this weekend, the Chanelle Pharma Champion Hurdle and the Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup, are perhaps smaller that we had hoped for, both races present intriguing tactical battles.

In the Grade 1 hurdle, last year’s winner Honeysuckle is a short-priced favourite but is at her most vulnerable over two miles on a sharpish track. She only just made it home last year.

A winning pointer, whose best form is over two and a half miles, heavy ground may be in her favour but we have both Abacadabras (below par at Christmas) and Sharjah (below par here last year) who both come with a decent turn of foot.

You expect Petit Mouchoir to lead, whether he races for his owners or for the stable. Abacadabras seems overpriced on his best form.

It will be a fascinating dilemma for Rachael Blackmore, when to commit Honeysuckle and inject her fastest furlong.

In tomorrow’s big chase we again have a few horses likely to be ridden forward, yet remember Christmas when he who challenged last won.

Kemboy has looked at his best when sent on, Melon may have pushed him too much in the Savills, leaving both open for the final attack from A Plus Tard. Talk from the Mullins yard seems to be to hold up Melon this time. And Minella Indo is also a naturally forward-going horse. Again Gordon Elliott may provide the value with last year’s winner Delta Work.

The Arkle is also an intriguing tactical battle.

It felt as though a few jockeys misjudged things at Christmas in the Racing Post Chase, chasing Felix Desjy and then leaving themselves vulnerable to the final challenge of Franco De Port.

Darver Star looked one of those who got involved too early and at this stage he has had more jumping practice than Energumeme and his overall level of hurdle form make him a decent bet at 10/1 as the ground dries out a little.