15:00 Leopardstown
Sunday 12 February 2017
All13:3014:0014:3015:0015:3016:0016:3017:00
Deloitte Novice Hurdle (Grade 1)
- 5YO plus | Class 1 | 2m 2f | Soft (Soft to Heavy in places) | 10 Runners | Turf | Weighed In
- Off time: 15:00 | Winning time: 4m 32.80s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Very smart bumper performer last season and, after an accident on jumping debut, opened his account at Christmas over two-miles at this venue. No surprise should there be more to come.
Fell at this venue a fortnight ago, has some decent form over longer trips and shouldn't be discounted now dropping back to 2m2f, though this is tough.
Returned from two-years off to score at Limerick over Christmas, did that well enough considering layoff but this is a lot more taxing.
Improving this season, Punchestown win came at two-miles and will have plenty on his plate to see off a field like this stepping up in trip.
Grade One winner over two-miles at this venue last time, sets the standard and gets the vote of champion jockey from the Mullins battalion in this line-up.
Chased home Saturnas in the Future Champions over two-miles here at Christmas, that looks a strong piece of form and entitled to come on again now stepping up in trip.
Hurdles debut over two-miles here at Christmas saw him string out a big field in ready fashion, likely improver going up in trip though this race is clearly much tougher.
Easy maiden hurdle winner on debut over two-miles at Cork last month, runner-up Canelie runs earlier on this card (14:00), hard to quantify that win but clearly talented.
Thurles maiden winner was no match for Saturnas and Brelade over two-miles here last time. Jockey plumps for the winner of that race this time and all to do to turn around the form.
Twice-placed over hurdles and got off the mark over this trip at Fairyhouse in mares' maiden last time, wide margin winner but this calls for much more.
Forecasts
Saturnas (5/4), Bunk Off Early (11/2), Barra (7/1), Brelade (8/1), Bacardys (12/1), Blood Crazed Tiger (12/1), Chateau Conti (12/1), Riven Light (14/1), Bravissimo (16/1), Gunnery Sergeant (28/1)
Willie Mullins has won the last four renewals of this contest and the champion trainer looks primed to add to that tally with six of the ten-runner entry. Separating them is an unenviable task so it seems best to go with Grade One-winning form in SATURNAS, who also gets the nod from the stable jockey. He was good over two-miles here at Christmas and should see out this extra distance no problem. It will be no surprise should runner-up that day Brelade threaten to scupper the Mullins' domination while Barra is also entitled to respect after her Fairyhouse success. Of the remaining Closutton contenders the once-raced winner Bunk Off Early should improve and could have a lot more to offer while Chateau Conti is also capable of having a say. Bacardys could be overlooked amongst his flurry of stable companions but remains a horse with serious potential.
1. Saturnas
2. Bunk Off Early
3. Brelade
Prize Money
1st: €53,100.002nd: €17,100.003rd: €8,100.004th: €3,600.005th: €1,799.006th: €900.00
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