14:30 Leopardstown

Sunday 12 February 2017

All13:3014:0014:3015:0015:3016:0016:3017:00

Spring Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 1)

Off time: 14:30 | Winning time: 4m 1.1s

Bapaume⁴⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Ruby Walsh| T: W P Mullins| OR: 140

7/4

Avenged previous defeat to Landofhopeandglory with game success over C&D at Christmas, should go well again but this was a tough race. Mega Fortune closing down at the line re-opposes here

Form: 61-2123

Bhutan^t1³⁰⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Mark Walsh| T: J P O'Brien

25/1

Upset now stablemate Housesofparliament to win 1m2f heavy ground maiden on the Flat around here on April. First time tackling jumps and seems owner's retained jockey has bypassed him.

Form:

Ex Patriot²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: D J Mullins| T: Miss Ellmarie Holden

22/1

Ex-Flat performer made a solid start to win on jumps debut over this trip at Fairyhouse last month, should improve for that effort but will need to amongst some smart performers.

Form: 15D

Housesofparliament^t⁴⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: B J Geraghty| T: J P O'Brien

9/1

No match for Meri Devie on jumps bow over this C&D at Christmas, winner was going away at the line. Choice of owner's retained rider in this but needs improvement to reverse that form and match others.

Form: -

Mega Fortune^p⁴⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| OR: 136

9/2

Ran on strongly at the finish behind Bapaume over C&D last time, that was an improved effort and could be more to come but likely the form will hold up.

Form: F13312

Sword Fighter^t⁴⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: J S McGarvey| T: J P O'Brien

40/1

Third of the McManus team in this, has plenty to find with Meri Devie/Housesofparliament on debut running but should improve for that effort.

Form: 585-

Dinaria Des Obeaux⁶³

Age: 4| Weight: 10-7| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott

10/3

French bumper winner routed a big field at Cork over this trip on debut. Could be anything, two winners have come out from behind her but this race is infinitely tougher. Likely to improve.

Form: 13104

Meri Devie⁴⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 10-7| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins

4/1

Couldn't have been more impressive on debut run, torching a couple of today's rival to score over this C&D. Jumping wasn't perfect but likely improver and has big role to play with fillies' allowance to assist.

Form: /143-

Non-Runners

On The Go Again²⁹⁷

Weight: 11-0| Age: 4

T: M Mulvany J: D F O'Regan

Forecasts

Bapaume (7/4), Dinaria Des Obeaux (10/3), Meri Devie (4/1), Mega Fortune (9/2), Housesofparliament (9/1), Ex Patriot (22/1), Bhutan (25/1), Sword Fighter (40/1), On The Go Again (100/1)

Willie Mullins has won this the last two year's but jockey bookings are by no means to be relied on as he usually has multiple talented performers. That looks to be the case again with Bapaume a C&D winner at Christmas, though he had a hard race then and that could leave a mark. The filly MERI DEVIE was mightily impressive in disposing of Housesofparliament on debut and she's fancied to rubberstamp her potential by winning this. The other female is Dinaria Des Obeaux and having routed the field at Cork on her sole appearance in this country, she should not be underestimated in what looks a quality renewal. The aforementioned Housesofparliament should also improve from debut and can get involved. 1. Meri Devie 2. Bapaume 3. Dinaria Des Obeaux