Horse racing tips: Leopardstown and Limerick – Eamonn Hames’ top betting preview for Friday, December 29

LEOPARDSTOWN

1.20

LAST year’s impressive winner LET’S DANCE will be seriously hard to beat.

Willie Mullins’ five-year-old has a huge engine, faces ideal conditions here and seemingly only has the misfortune of a heavy fall at Punchestown standing in her way.

She does take chances with her hurdles, but that’s the chance a real slick hurdler takes.

Forge Meadow was left with the race at her mercy when the selection crashed out at Punchestown.

The Jessica Harrington trained five-year-old’s hard-pulling tendencies had often cost her previously, but she settled well and powered clear to win with plenty in hand.

The selection’s stablemate Karalee may come out best at the weights, but Forge Meadow is a much more potent threat under these conditions.

Dawn Shadow is a useful type and the UK raider Lady Buttons will not lack for trying, but third may be the best she can hope for.

3.05

THE best bet of the day is MIDNIGHT STROLL in the competitive Top Oil Irish EBF Novice Handicap Hurdle.

Robert Tyner’s five-year-old is a chaser through and through, but he’s improved at a rapid rate in his short time hurdling and is arguably worth a shot in better company.

His mark of 127 has connections going down the handicap route though and even though he is burdened with top-weight - he should have far too much for these.

Mischievious Max comes out best at the weights, Paul Townend is an eye-catching booking for Slippery Serpent and Lesley Dawn is fitted with a hood for her first foray into handicapping.

LEOPARDSTOWN

12.20 Whatareudoingtome

12.50 Ballyward

1.20 Let's Dance

1.55 Monalee

2.30 Faugheen

3.05 Midnight Stroll (nap)

3.35 Daly Tiger

LIMERICK

12.30 Beyond The Law

1.00 Kate Appleby Shoes

1.35 Moores Road

2.10 Delta Work (nb)

2.45 The Ballyboys

3.15 West Coast Time

3.45 Jammy George