Kirby planning Leopardstown raid for Top Ville Ben
Dublin Racing Festival on the agenda for dual-purpose performer.
Top Ville Ben is set to be tasked with a raiding mission to the Dublin Racing Festival having seen an intended engagement at Lingfield lost to the recent cold snap. Phil Kirby’s 11-year-old was primed to defend his Cazoo Hurdle title during the Surrey track’s Winter Million weekend, but will now revert to fences for the Bulmers Handicap Chase at Leopardstown on February 5. British runners have been in short supply at the Dublin track’s two-day showpiece, but Kirby has taken over Lady Buttons to mix it with Ireland’s best in the past and believes his stable stalwart has a fair chance of getting in the shake-up if reproducing his best.“It’s a big prize and it’s going to be very competitive, but it is the sort of race we have to run in, so we’ll go over and give it a good go. “Obviously you need to be very well handicapped for these races and whether we are or not, I’m not sure, but he’s probably at least fairly handicapped on the best of his form.
Back to winning ways! Top Ville Ben wins back over hurdles for Alain Cawley and @PKirbyRacing at @LingfieldPark… pic.twitter.com/g6PrSBcw4V
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) January 21, 2022
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