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12:15 Leopardstown
Saturday 28 December 2019
All12:1512:5013:2514:0014:3515:1015:40
Tote Supporting Leopardstown Maiden Hurdle
- 4YO only | 2m 4f 75y | Soft | 17 Runners | Turf | Weighed In
- Off time: 12:17 | Winning time: 5m 18.3s
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Paid his way on the Flat when with John Ryan but his recent hurdles debut left a good bit to be desired; wasn't the most fluent jumper and left behind a long way from home. Big improvement required.
Represents a powerful yard and will probably have learned a fair bit from his debut run at Fairyhouse back in April; obviously absent since and needs to step through the gears to start justifying his €80,000 purchase price as a three-year-old.
Shown ability in each of his three starts so far and handles a bit of cut in the ground. Hustle and bustle of a large field wasn't an issue last time and he'll be in the mix with another step forward.
Winners in his pedigree and likely to be a lot sharper for his introduction at Fairyhouse at the start of this month (2m, yielding ground); the trip suits on pedigree and surely more to come. Cannot be dismissed lightly.
Well beaten in all three starts before today and the return to this sort of trip needs to initiate a but turnabout in form; others more appealing.
Useful on the Flat in France (won a 1m4f maiden at Maisons-Laffite back in May) and also showed he's adapting well to this discipline when finishing third of 24 on debut at Cork last month. Another bold effort expected on the back of that run.
Shown ability a couple of times in bumpers but his latest start was a backwards step and he needs to find a good deal more now he's upped in trip for his hurdling debut.
Won on heavy on the Flat in France before making a pleasing debut over hurdles at Naas in January; then finished eleventh in the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham in his only subsequent start; more to come now his sights are lowered; betting can guide.
Yard won this with a similar type last year and the gelding, who was second in a point-to-point before fetching £70,000 at the Cheltenham sales in April, showed ability on his hurdles debut last month. Another to bear in mind now upped in trip.
Stablemate of Earl Of Desmond and The Gabby Caddy and certainly in the right hands to be found a race before too long; his debut in a point-to-point was just a modest effort but he might to better over this lesser test of stamina.
Debut run wasn't devoid of promise but the gelding was already well held when he was hampered near the finish and he has lot to find judging by the bare form.
Latest start over hurdles reads particularly well; was held by only the classy Blue Sari (who was second in the Cheltenham Champion Bumper back in March) and has to be high on the shortlist for that run alone; likely to be thereabouts.
Shown some ability in a couple of bumpers and two previous starts over hurdles but was a well held fifth at Naas 13 days ago; might improve now a tongue tie is tried but still has a bit to find.
A maiden under both codes even though he was rated 85 at his best on the Flat and made the frame on a number of occasions. Form over hurdles hasn't matched up so far and it'll be surprising if a few of these aren't more progressive at this stage.
Nicely-bred filly whose dam won over 1m4f in France and is a half-sister to a 2m2f winner over hurdles who was also placed in Listed company across the English channel. Yard very quiet and probably best watched on debut.
Posted a poor effort on debut at Fairyhouse back in April and didn't make much progress in two subsequent starts in the summer. Off since and big improvement needed for her to get involved this time.
Has adapted well to hurdles and made the frame in both previous outings in this sphere; rated 78 at her best on the Flat but did manage a couple of wins when trained by Ed Walker (in the UK). Stiff test in this company.
Non-Runners
16
Lady Lingo21
Weight: 11-0| Age: 4
T: Joseph Hennessy J: J M Moore
NR
Forecasts
Jon Snow (6/5), The Bosses Oscar (4/1), Runrized (5/1), Somptueux (8/1), Friary Rock (10/1), Trevena (11/1), Fun Light (25/1), Sunday At Julia's (25/1), No Grey Area's (40/1), Earl Of Desmond (50/1), Sonnenkonig (66/1), The Gabby Cabby (66/1), Aircraft Carrier (100/1), Handsworth (100/1), Wajaaha (100/1), All Class (100/1), Lady Lingo (100/1), Regina Dracones (100/1)
A few of these are worth noting for future reference, with THE BOSSES OSCAR topping the bill on this occasion. The gelding was beaten just ½L by the classy Blue Sari at Punchestown last month. Any improvement will make him the one to beat. Jon Snow is an obvious danger, while his stablemate Runrized is significantly eased in grade since he was last seen (at the Cheltenham Festival) and also merits serious consideration. Fun Light and Friary Rock complete the shortlist.
- The Bosses Oscar
- Jon Snow
- Runrized
Previous Winners
Prize Money
1st: €9,000.002nd: €3,000.003rd: €1,500.004th: €750.005th: €450.006th: €300.00
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