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Remind me next time

Sunday's action takes place at Taunton and Musselburgh while there is also the final day of the two-day Dublin Racing Festival at Leopardstown.

Taunton 14:15 - Vocaliser @ Evens - BET NOW

Trainer Robin Dickin has his string in flying form at present and his current 57% strike-rate (4/7) in recent weeks can be enhanced by Vocaliser in this novices’ handicap chase. The selection was winning over obstacles for the second time when victorious over 2m on soft ground here last month and can repeat that victory off a 4lb higher mark.

The son of Vocalised has shaped as if he’d stay further in his four runs over fences so far and, with that in mind, the extra two furlongs he is set to encounter should pose no issues to him, with the likely soft going to suit. Having won twice on soft ground in the past he looks likely to prove hard to beat receiving weight from all of his rivals.

Leopardstown 13:50 - Sharjah @ 4/1 - BET NOW

Willie Mullins’ charge was defending an unbeaten record going into a Grade 1 novice hurdle over Sunday’s C&D over Christmas. The son of Doctor Dino was travelling best of the pair when both he and stablemate Reel Steel, who re-opposes, came down at the final flight and he can inflict a first defeat on Gordon Elliott’s Samcro.

Prior to that Grade 1 outing, Sharjah had registered two heavy ground victories at Gowran Park, including in a five-runner novice contest at the end of November. The selection’s other Gowran Park victory came at the end of September in a maiden contest that has seen both the second and third register subsequent victories.

Mullins has taken this race in each of the last five years. including with subsequent Cheltenham winners Champagne Fever and Vautour, and with leading hurdler Nichols Canyon and Sharjah looking the pick of the trainer’s runners this time around, he can make it six on the spin in the 2018 renewal.

Leopardstown 15:35 - Outlander @ 7/1 - BET NOW

Gordon Elliott’s Outlander was a C&D winner in Grade 1 company last season and was registering his third victory at the highest level when winning over 3m at Down Royal on soft ground back in November.

The selection disappointed at Haydock subsequently but can be forgiven that effort, having failed to perform on all three of his visits over the Irish Sea and given he returned to something like his best when finishing third over this C&D last time out. Behind him on that occasion were a number of Sunday’s rivals and with similar underfoot conditions forecast, he can register a sixth victory over fences.

Trainer Gordon Elliott has his horses running well at present and with Jack Kennedy, who has been in the saddle for the selection’s two most recent victories, booked to ride on Sunday, the Gigginstown House Stud-owned gelding can claim a first Irish Gold Cup victory.