Coral.ie Free Racehorse Ownership With The Coral Champions Club Rated Hurdle

Off time: 14:35 | Winning time: 3m 54.4s

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Selected odds by:

Campeador^h³¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: B J Geraghty| T: G Elliott| OR: 145| BF

11/8

Showed his hand ability wise when in serious contention and falling at the last in the 2016 Fred Winter at the Cheltenham Festival, and it was a similar story on his sole start last term at Fairyhouse. Off since, but a major player if back 100% fit.

Form: 214F/F-

Hidden Cyclone^p³³

Age: 12| Weight: 11-12| J: D E Mullins| T: J J Hanlon| OR: 145| BF| CD

11/1

Solid and likeable veteran who still performs with much credit, but is ever so slightly on the downgrade. Beaten 2¾L by Dromnea over fences at Listowel last month (2m4f heavy), and switches back to hurdles today. Won this race in 2016.

Form: 513-292

Wakea^h,t⁴⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Mr J C Barry⁽⁵⁾| T: K Thornton| OR: 142| D

16/1

Has taken a couple of heavy falls when weakening in two of his last three starts (Aintree and Bellewstown), but back with a big effort when beaten a short-head by the talented Rashaan at Down Royal in September (3m yielding). Versatile.

Form: 140F-F2

The Game Changer^t³⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: C D Meehan⁽⁷⁾| T: G Elliott| OR: 139| CD

8/1

Successful in each of his last two starts, over fences at Ballinrobe in late August, and most latterly over hurdles at Listowel (2m heavy). This is just a fraction stronger, and his trainer also saddles the younger Campeador.

Form: PP-0211

Ornua⁷⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: D N Russell| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 138| D

5/1

Well beaten (after leading) when pulled up in the Galway Hurdle in August (2m yielding), but had kept good form prior to that when winning at Down Royal and Clonmel. However, this is a step up in grade, and looks overly competitive.

Form: 136-11P

Tully East¹⁷⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: D F O'Regan| T: A Fleming| OR: 138| CD

7/1

Won well over this C&D in November 2016 (soft) beating Prince Kup by 3¼L before finishing fourth of 24 to Ibis Du Rheu in the 2m4f Martin Pipe Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival. Sent chasing thereafter; but returns to hurdles for seasonal bow.

Form: 4/1621P-

Forge Meadow^h¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: R M Power| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 136| D

9/2

Won a weak Grade 2 at Naas in February (soft to heavy) but came up short when tried in Festival races at Cheltenham and Punchestown subsequently. Well beaten on seasonal bow behind Jezki at Tipperary earlier this month, so improvement is required.

Form: 52184-6

Jimmy Breekie¹²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: P E Corbett⁽³⁾| T: S R B Crawford| OR: 123| CD

40/1

A two time winner over hurdles (Navan and Perth), but put in his place by Minotaur at Aintree in June (2m4f novices hurdle, good) and faces a nigh impossible task on these terms against some useful rivals on seasonal reappearance.

Form: 215-512

Forecasts

Campeador (11/8), Forge Meadow (9/2), Ornua (5/1), Tully East (7/1), The Game Changer (8/1), Hidden Cyclone (11/1), Wakea (16/1), Jimmy Breekie (40/1)

CAMPEADOR apparently needs to keep his mind on the job at the business end of his races, but in twice crashing out at the final flight in his last two starts, he has demonstrated his abundant level of ability. At the age of just five, and very lightly raced overall, the sky promises to be the limit for this Gris Des Gris gelding if he can put all of the pieces of the jigsaw together. His trainer also saddles the hat-trick seeking The Game Changer, but despite also carrying high profile silks, the stable number one seems rather all too obvious.