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.