The Irish Angle: Johnny Ward's top tips for Sunday

The quality of some of the top-rung performers over Christmas, even allowing for expectations, was something else – and we had some healthy controversy as well that got people talking.

Here are two to bring you into 2024. Be lucky. 

A happy New Year to you all. 

This horse did us a favour last time (on my birthday no less) – so why can he not follow up on New Year's Eve? The form of that Down Royal success is strong and he found loads for pressure against the well-fancied favourite. A 50/1 winner for the yard on Friday only adds to this Stowaway-bred's appeal.

This horse was quite eye-catching in fifth at Clonmel, far from knocked about but keeping on nicely. I like backing horses by Leading Light, who tend to give all they have, and this five-year-old definitely ought to have more to give at decent odds.