15:30 Leopardstown

Wednesday 26 December 2018

All12:1012:4013:1013:4514:2014:5515:30

Tote Supporting Irish Racing Flat Race

Off time: 15:30 | Winning time: 3m 49.9s

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Selected odds by:

Allaho²⁹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 11-9| J: Mr P W Mullins| T: W P Mullins

11/8

Half-brother to yard's smart hurdler Shanning debuted in an Auteuil Listed hurdle race and acquitted himself remarkably well finishing second. Since joined top yard and clearly a potentially top class recruit so highly respected.

Form: 2-

Cobbled Streets

Age: 4| Weight: 11-9| J: Mr D T Kelly⁽⁷⁾| T: L Comer

66/1

Newcomer by maiden sire Tale Of Two Cities is the fourth foal out of a moderate sprint dam in Spain. Yard had one such winner this season but unlikely to double total here.

Form:

Email Rose¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 11-9| J: Mr D Roche⁽³⁾| T: H De Bromhead

25/1

Fell on debut but showed his worth next when fifth of 29 at Navan again over hurdles. Really well bred and still has plenty of time on his side so has genuine place claims here on level for the first time.

Form: F5

Exit Poll¹⁴⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-9| J: Mr F Maguire⁽³⁾| T: Mrs J Harrington

10/1

Third on Down Royal debut (beaten 1L) and second since at Galway (beaten 1½L). Looks to be bumping into two hot prospects here so more needed but each-way claims look very solid.

Form: 32

Fury Road²²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 11-9| J: Ms L O'Neill| T: G Elliott

6/4

Winner of a maiden point-to-point at Dromahane in taking fashion on second start back in May and purchased by top connections for princely fee of €305,000 on the back of that. Exciting recruit from a good family and bold bid expected here.

Form: 41

Goodbye Someday

Age: 4| Weight: 11-9| J: L Quinlan⁽⁷⁾| T: J E Kiely

14/1

Stowaway newcomer is the ninth foal out of top class race mare Liss A Paoraigh and a half-brother to two winners both successful in similar contests. Likable pedigree so worth keeping an eye on the market.

Form:

King Alex

Age: 4| Weight: 11-9| J: Mr H D Dunne⁽⁵⁾| T: A Fleming

33/1

Newcomer by Born King is a half-brother to four winners over obstacles in France including smart performer Missy Tata. Hard spot to start out but potential to be smart so market check advised.

Form:

Mister Fogpatches³¹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-9| J: Mr R Foley⁽⁷⁾| T: P A Fahy

33/1

Never really progressed from third on debut at Ballinrobe in three subsequent starts (one hurdle, two bumpers). Has ability but looks up against it here.

Form: 3457

Sempo^t¹⁰⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 11-9| J: Mr D O'Connor| T: J P O'Brien

14/1

Good fourth on debut at Listowel in a 17-runner bumper back in September hinted that he was the sort to come into his own over farther. This a deeper looking race so surprise if he can better that effort.

Form: 4

Josie Abbing

Age: 4| Weight: 11-2| J: Miss A Fahey⁽⁷⁾| T: Peter Fahey

66/1

Nicely bred newcomer by Fame And Glory and from the family of top class chaser Bellshill. Lots to like about her on paper but may need longer trips and more time to come into her own.

Form:

Two Shoe Tom³¹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-2| J: R Deegan⁽⁵⁾| T: Peter Fahey

14/1

Second in her last two starts at Navan although comfortably beaten in each. Should be up to winning a bumper this winter but faces an above average field here so this may not the day.

Form: 5-422

Non-Runners

Espoir Des Sablons³²

Weight: 11-9| Age: 4

T: J C McConnell J: Ben Harvey

Forecasts

Allaho (11/8), Fury Road (6/4), Exit Poll (10/1), Two Shoe Tom (14/1), Sempo (14/1), Goodbye Someday (14/1), Email Rose (25/1), Mister Fogpatches (33/1), King Alex (33/1), Espoir Des Sablons (50/1), Josie Abbing (66/1), Cobbled Streets (66/1)

A familiar tale with Messrs Mullins and Elliott looking likely to dominate with preference for the formers ALLAHO who showed a very smart level of form in his only start in France and Mullins record with French recruits combined with the fact he won with this with the top class Blackbow last year adds fuel to the fire. Fury Road cost a King's ransom after winning a point-to-point and is expected to be high class but he may need further before truly coming into his own hence him being considered second best. This is far from a two horse race however with Exit Poll one of several with the potential to give the top two a run for their money.