12:40 Leopardstown

Sunday 3 February 2019

All12:4013:1513:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:40

Irish Stallion Farms EBF Paddy Mullins Mares Handicap Hurdle (Grade B)

Off time: 12:43 | Winning time: 4m 19.2s

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Selected odds by:

High School Days¹⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: H Morgan⁽⁷⁾| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 133| BF

50/1

Reverts to hurdles after a disappointing campaign over fences and looks in need of some relief from the assessor, even back in this sphere. All her best form has come with more cut in the ground than what she will get here.

Form: F0-53U0

Alletrix^h⁶⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: R M Power| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 130| CD

11/1

Won this race last year and while she hasn't won since, she had been holding her form well in Graded company towards the end of last season. Disappointed over fences last time but on a fair mark back in this discipline.

Form: 21243-6

Morga⁶³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: D J O'Keeffe⁽⁷⁾| T: D McDonogh| OR: 129

33/1

Hasn't won since a Flat success back in 2016 and no wins in this sphere since 2015. Certainly capable from this handicap mark but not easy to recommend on recent evidence.

Form: 0/65-370

Sapphire Lady⁶³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: P Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 129

9/1

Only narrowly denied on her return at the Galway Festival and has been in good form throughout most of this season. Respectable effort when sixth of 21 at Fairyhouse last time and the step back up in trip will suit.

Form: 12F616

Cut The Mustard^h1³⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Ruby Walsh| T: W P Mullins| OR: 128

5/1

Just a maiden hurdle win to her name to date but took a big step forward from her reappearance at Fairyhouse when runner-up over 2m here last time. Travelled well that day and still on a nice mark, just 3lb higher here. Wears first-time hood.

Form: 16P0-72

Court Maid²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: D J Mullins| T: T Mullins| OR: 124

6/1

Arrives here bidding for a four-timer after an impressive success at Cork last time out. Proven on this sort of ground and will appreciate the extra 2f trip here. Leading claims from just 6lb higher.

Form: 142111

Agusta Gold¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: D E Mullins| T: Ms M Mullins| OR: 118

7/1

Has been mightily consistent over hurdles so far and stayed on gamely at Navan last time out. Drop back in trip a slight concern but she's talented and seemingly has a liking for decent ground. Will need a bit more from this mark.

Form: 422121

Clementina^t³³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-7| J: E O'Connell⁽⁵⁾| T: A J Martin| OR: 116

12/1

Has got her act together of late and arrives bidding for a hat-trick after back-to-back wins at Fairyhouse. Stamina unproven over this trip though and she will find this tougher with a 6lb higher handicap mark.

Form: 035311

Countess Cathleen³⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 10-7| J: J M Moore| T: D Hickey| OR: 116

16/1

Won a maiden hurdle on heavy ground at Clonmel just short of a year ago and returned with a promising effort at Punchestown. In too deep in Graded company last time out but may do better here back at a more suitable trip.

Form: 641F-65

Sassy Diva^t⁴³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-7| J: D Meyler| T: S Crawley| OR: 116

10/3

Didn't need to improve to win a maiden hurdle at Ayr but has found one too good on each of her last couple of starts at Thurles. Step up in trip will suit though and on a workable mark for handicap debut.

Form: 132-122

Cristal Icon^t³³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-6| J: C D Maxwell| T: T Mullins| OR: 116

50/1

Out of form since winning her maiden hurdle and showed nothing when returned to this discipline last time out after an unsuccessful spell on the Flat. Easy to oppose.

Form: 4-90984

One First Cut²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-5| J: S W Flanagan| T: Miss E Doyle| OR: 114

22/1

Bumper winner back in 2016 but yet to win over hurdles. Seemingly at her best with plenty of cut underfoot and others make more appeal here.

Form: 452-363

Hidden Dilemma¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-3| J: J J Slevin| T: S R B Crawford| OR: 112

14/1

Won twice at Carlisle towards the back end of last year and not disgraced when runner-up at Newcaslte last time out in a novice event. Drop back in trip not certain to be ideal, particularly on this quicker ground.

Form: 671412

Smiling Eliza^p¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: M A Enright| T: G Elliott| OR: 119

25/1

Won twice earlier in the season and not disgraced in first-time headgear last time out. Has a nice weight and likely to keep on progressing for this yard.

Form: 21486D

Non-Runners

Mrs Lovett⁵²

Weight: 11-7| Age: 6

T: G Elliott J: J W Kennedy

Sinoria³⁹

Weight: 11-5| Age: 6

T: H De Bromhead J: Rachael Blackmore

Tara Dylan²¹

Weight: 10-5| Age: 7

T: T Mullins J: S G McDermott

Rovetta¹⁰

Weight: 10-4| Age: 5

T: Mrs J Harrington J: P D Kennedy

Forecasts

Sassy Diva (10/3), Sinoria (4/1), Cut The Mustard (5/1), Court Maid (6/1), Agusta Gold (7/1), Sapphire Lady (9/1), Alletrix (11/1), Clementina (12/1), Mrs Lovett (12/1), Hidden Dilemma (14/1), Countess Cathleen (16/1), Rovetta (16/1), One First Cut (22/1), Smiling Eliza (25/1), Morga (33/1), Tara Dylan (33/1), High School Days (50/1), Cristal Icon (50/1)

CUT THE MUSTARD is taken to go one better than her course and distance effort last time out and she ought to benefit from the fitting of first-time headgear. Her trainer Willie Mullins has a strong hand in the race with Sapphire Lady expected to appreciate the step up in trip but Sinoria could spoil the party; the mare could hardly have been any more impressive when bolting up at Down Royal last time out.