13:45 Down Royal

Tuesday 26 December 2017

All12:1012:4013:1013:4514:1514:5015:25

I.N.H. Stallion Owners EBF Maiden Hurdle

Off time: 13:45 | Winning time: 5m 16.30s

Minellafordollars³¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: D J McInerney⁽⁵⁾| T: G Elliott

4/1

Successful in a point-to-point and a bumper last season but proved a slight disappointment when only third on hurdling debut at Gowran Park (2m, heavy) a month ago. Step up in trip looks likely to suit.

Form: 11-3

Pack The Punch³⁶²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: B R Dalton| T: D McDonogh| OR: 113| D

20/1

Bumper winner and placed four times from nine starts over hurdles. Pulled up at Leopardstown this time last year and more needed on his return from an absence.

Form: 43043/P-

Benefit North^t²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Mr N McParlan⁽³⁾| T: C A McBratney

14/1

Point-to-point winner in the spring and followed up a 21L fourth in a maiden hurdle here last month by claiming third in a Punchestown (soft-to-heavy) bumper three weeks later. Interesting runner today.

Form: 1F-043

Central Court⁵³

Age: 4| Weight: 11-4| J: D J Hand⁽⁷⁾| T: Mrs S Dawson

66/1

Failed to complete in two point-to-point starts and it was a similar story when pulled up in a 2m6f maiden hurdle on soft ground here last month. Others make more appeal.

Form: FP-P

Derrinross^p1,t²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: L P Dempsey| T: J P Dempsey

13/8

Maiden point-to-point winner on soft-to-heavy ground early in 2016 and put in some decent efforts under rules since. Wears cheekpieces for the first time and drops in trip having finished a close second over 2m6f at Punchestown last time out.

Form: 1/23-42

Frankiefiveangels¹⁸⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Sean Flanagan| T: N Meade| BF

6/1

Finished third on hurdling debut at Navan (2m, heavy) in the spring and finished runner-up in two of his three hurdles outings since. Likely needs to improve on his return to hurdles following a six month absence.

Form: 3-224

Love And Wishes^h1⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: M J Bolger| T: Mrs J Harrington

25/1

Held in two bumpers for Gordon Elliott and it was a similar story in a heavy ground maiden hurdle at Navan over 2m on debut for this stable recently. Wears a hood for the first time today.

Form: 0-69

Mac's Nephew²¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Ricky Doyle⁽⁵⁾| T: C O'Dwyer

50/1

Pulled up in a good ground point-to-point at Dromahane when making his debut in that sphere back in May. Cost €55,000 as a three-year-old and worth a check in the market on his rules debut.

Form: P

Nick Lost²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: D Robinson⁽⁵⁾| T: H De Bromhead

3/1

Ran well in a point-to-point in March last year and put a disappointing bumper debut behind him when finishing third over 2m6f at Punchestown (soft-to-heavy) on hurdling debut last month. One to note in this contest.

Form: 4/7-3

Ravenhill²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Mr J J Codd| T: G Elliott

12/1

Point-to-point winner from seven starts and a fair effort when a 19L fourth of five on bumper debut at Fairyhouse (soft) earlier this month. Making his hurdling debut today.

Form: 34421/4

Ask Madge

Age: 5| Weight: 10-11| J: A W Short⁽⁷⁾| T: N C Kelly

33/1

Unraced daughter of Ask cost just €800 as a three-year-old at the sales in August 2015. Half-sister to six time winner One For Hocky amongst others but probably best watched on racecourse debut.

Form:

Askann¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 10-11| J: Simon Torrens⁽⁷⁾| T: M Torrens

20/1

Finished fourth in a point-to-point and occupied the same position on hurdling debut at Navan (soft-to-heavy) last month. Well beaten since and likely to be of more interest once tackling handicaps.

Form: 4-48

Forecasts

Derrinross (13/8), Nick Lost (3/1), Minellafordollars (4/1), Frankiefiveangels (6/1), Ravenhill (12/1), Benefit North (14/1), Askann (20/1), Pack The Punch (20/1), Love And Wishes (25/1), Ask Madge (33/1), Mac's Nephew (50/1), Central Court (66/1)

Trainer Gordon Elliott has won this race four times since 2011 and his MINELLAFORDOLLARS can give the trainer a fifth win in the race by putting a disappointing effort on hurdling debut last time out behind him upped in trip today. The step up in trip looks likely to suit the point-to-point winner and he is taken to see off Derrinross who finished a close second at Punchestown last time wile the third-placed horse on that occasion Nick Lost can fill the same position today.