13:20 Leopardstown

Friday 29 December 2017

All12:2012:5013:2013:5514:3015:0515:35

Willis Towers Watson Irish EBF Mares Hurdle (Grade 3)

Off time: 13:20 | Winning time: 5m 10.2s

Forge Meadow⁴¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: R M Power| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 140

6/1

Thought good enough to take her chance in the Grade 2 WKD hurdle at Down Royal last month before comfortably take a Listed mares' hurdle at Punchestown in November. Improving sort.

Form: 84-6551

Let's Dance⁴¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 144| BF| CD

1/1

Hasn't won since taking the Grade 2 mares' novice hurdle at Cheltenham in March but trainer looks to have found the ideal confidence-boosting comeback following a fall last time out at Punchestown last month.

Form: 11124-F

Dawn Shadow¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: Mrs D A Love| OR: 125| D

16/1

Solid and consistent in low-grade events over the winter before finishing third of six beaten 5L in a Listed novice contest at Thurles earlier in the month. May find this tough.

Form: 451213

Gracemount^h³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: Mark Walsh| T: S Doyle| OR: 118| BF

16/1

Had been knocking on the door before winning at Punchestown last month and Limerick on St Stephens Day when winning a 9k handicap hurdle. Step up in grade but improvement on the cards.

Form: 233141

Karalee²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: D J Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 140| BF

9/2

Finished 9L behind Dawn Shadow last time out in a lacklustre performance when beaten favourite in Thurles mares' hurdle over 2m. Plenty to prove.

Form: 21/13-3

Lady Buttons⁴⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: A Nicol| T: P A Kirby| OR: 134| D

6/1

Distance winner who took her chance against Apples Jade at the Punchestown festival. Second at Wetherby in a mares' listed contest she returns to hurdling following a listed chase win last month at Bangor. Claims with conditions in her favour.

Form: 111P-21

Mary Frances¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-13| J: Sean Flanagan| T: M Hassett| OR: 112

50/1

Beaten on all three starts this season including a 6L defeat last time out in a Punchestown handicap hurdle. Looks vulnerable in this company.

Form: 061-F23

Polar Present^p⁵²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: Donagh Meyler| T: S Fahey| OR: 129| D

16/1

Has produced a series of rock-solid performances since September in terms of finishing positions but has been well beaten in a couple of contests. Tough ask and other preferred.

Form: F-21223

Mega Mindy⁴¹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-9| J: D F O'Regan| T: A Fleming

50/1

Will need to improve on hurdling debut at Punchestown over 2m2f last month finishing behind Forge Meadow and Dawn Shadow. Needs to improve significantly.

Form: 1-6

Forecasts

Let's Dance (1/1), Karalee (9/2), Forge Meadow (6/1), Lady Buttons (6/1), Dawn Shadow (16/1), Polar Present (16/1), Gracemount (16/1), Mega Mindy (50/1), Mary Frances (50/1)

Intriguing mares' hurdle with possibly Polar Present, Karalee, Mary Frances and Lady Buttons contesting the lead in the early stages. The Willie Mullins-trained LET'S DANCE won this contest last year comes here as the one to beat. Last time out winner Forge Meadow and UK-raider Lady Buttons are solid each way options.