15:35 Leopardstown
Sunday 1 March 2020
All14:0014:3015:0515:3516:1016:4017:10
TRM Equine Nutrition Handicap Hurdle
- 4YO plus | 2m | Soft (Soft to Heavy in places) | 13 Runners | Turf | Weighed In
- Off time: 15:35 | Winning time: 4m 17.6s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Winner at Killarney in May 2018 over 2m6f on good ground (has also won on heavy) from 1lb lower mark; 575-day absence more of a sticking point than this trip on return to action.
Very consistent last year and twice won over hurdles; appeared to have lost his way this season but much more like it at Thurles last month taking second spot. Must build on that now.
Showed plenty in bumpers for Guy Cherel in France but limited in four-race interrupted hurdles career with this trainer; needs to build on modest promise shown in big-field Leopardstown maiden over Christmas (sixth).
Won what transpired to be a weak Kilbeggan maiden (2m, good; 14-1) on hurdles bow in April but hasn't made much progress since; back from a break and needing to raise his game.
Easy winner of a Ladies Handicap Hurdle at Fairyhouse on New Year's Day but the handicapper took a dim view with a 13lb hike; far from disgraced in €60k handicap at Dublin Racing Festival since and excellent claims now with Simon Torrens' claim.
Winner of a C&D novice handicap at Christmas and backed that up with sound Cork second in early January; well held in strong race last month back here. This represents an ease in class.
Navan maiden hurdle winner in 2014; most recent Flat success came in July 2017. Still going ok when mistake at two out did for chances at Christmas and booking of Rachel Blackmore eye-catching now.
Should make a hurdler on breeding and has shaped nicely in four maiden hurdles; albeit failing to justify favouritism the last twice; handicapper hasn't been too heavy-handed.
Only the one success from 14 over timber but has rattled the crossbar Fairyhouse and Down Royal either side of New Year; may find more in first-time blinkers and will handle testing conditions. Respected.
Nothing more than moderate promise shown in trio of maidens over 2m/2m4f on soft ground; will have to step up markedly now switching to a handicap.
Just the lone success from 23 starts over timber, which came at Down Royal in December 2018; showed a bit more in first-time blinkers at Naas recently but remains 10lb clear of that win-mark.
Has found his mojo this season with two wins from last three over timber, no match for Spruced Up on New Year's Day however and while better off with the mare now; is racing from a career-high rating.
12-years-old now and can claim just a solitary win from 34 starts over hurdles, hold-up performer has finished second in four his last five (third in the other) and while still on a fair mark; will need things to fall just right.
Forecasts
Fauguernon (11/4), Spruced Up (7/2), Reine Fee (6/1), Youngnedofthehill (8/1), Tandem (8/1), Wolfofallstreets (11/1), Polished Steel (12/1), Filon D'Oudairies (14/1), Zambezi Fix (16/1), British Art (20/1), Favori Logique (20/1), Flindt (33/1), Benkei (66/1)
It would be the cold heart that denies Youngnedofthehill a win given his string of near misses this season, but his strike-rate is very poor and he's going to need things to fall perfectly under a patient ride. Instead, REINE FEE can avoid a hat-trick of seconds. She's run a couple of fine races recently and will handled conditions underfoot, ensuring any positive effect from the first-time blinkers puts her firmly in the mix. Spruced Up and Fauguernon make plenty appeal having raced in stronger company last time.
- Reine Fee
- Spruced Up
- Youngnedofthehill
Previous Winners
Prize Money
1st: €11,100.002nd: €3,700.003rd: €1,850.004th: €925.005th: €555.006th: €371.00
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