13:50 Leopardstown

Sunday 4 February 2018

All12:4013:1513:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:40

Deloitte Novice Hurdle (Grade 1)

Off time: 13:50 | Winning time: 4m 8.70s

Paloma Blue⁴⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: D N Russell| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 135| CD

16/1

Dual winner in a five race career to date including when successful over C&D on yielding ground here in December. Stepping up in grade today.

Form: 12-321

Samcro⁷⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 153| D

4/6

Unbeaten in six starts including twice over hurdles this season. Most recent success came in a Grade 3 contest at Navan (2m4f, soft-to-heavy) in November and is a leading contender today.

Form: 1/111-11

Top Othe Ra²²

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: B J Cooper| T: T Mullins| OR: 135| D

66/1

Successful four times over hurdles including off a mark of 130 at Punchestown (2m, soft-to-heavy) in November. Well held in Grade 2 company last time and others make more appeal.

Form: 611085

Trainwreck³⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Sean Flanagan| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 136| CD

50/1

Dual hurdles winner including in a handicap over C&D on soft ground last time out. Much more needed stepping up to Grade 1 company for the first time today.

Form: 42-6121

Debuchet⁴⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: R M Power| T: Ms M Mullins| BF| CD

16/1

Finished runner-up in the Grade 1 Champion Bumper at Cheltenham (good-to-soft) last March. Subsequently won a Listed bumper but could finish only fourth on hurdling debut here last time and this looks tougher.

Form: 2121-4

Duc Des Genievres²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: N D Fehily| T: W P Mullins

9/1

Debut winner over hurdles on very soft ground in France and ran well to finish 4L third over 2m4f at Naas (soft-to-heavy) in a Grade 1 contest on his debut for this yard last month. Interesting runner today.

Form: 13

Early Doors⁶³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: Mark Walsh| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 142| D

20/1

Lost his unbeaten record over hurdles when finishing second in a Grade 1 contest at Fairyhouse (2m, soft) two months ago. Had previously won a Grade 3 contest and is one to note today.

Form: 13-112

Le Richebourg³⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: B J Geraghty| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 141

50/1

Winner of his first three starts over hurdles including at Galway (yielding) in July. Struggled in Grade 1 company since and more needed today.

Form: 2-11162

Real Steel³⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: Mr P W Mullins| T: W P Mullins| D

14/1

Placed over hurdles in France and off the mark at the first time of asking on debut for this yard at Thurles (2m, soft) in November. Fell at the last when pressed by Sharjah here last time and likely more needed today.

Form: 2-1F

Sharjah³⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| D

4/1

Winner on the Flat in France and successful twice at Gowran Parkon heavy ground earlier this season. Held every chance when coming down at the last here subsequently and is one for the shortlist today.

Form: 11F

Whiskey Sour^t³⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: D J Mullins| T: W P Mullins| CD

25/1

Left clear when winning a Grade 1 over C&D last time but held by both Real Steel and Sharjah prior to that pair falling and others make more appeal.

Form: 11

Forecasts

Samcro (4/6), Sharjah (4/1), Duc Des Genievres (9/1), Real Steel (14/1), Paloma Blue (16/1), Debuchet (16/1), Early Doors (20/1), Whiskey Sour (25/1), Le Richebourg (50/1), Trainwreck (50/1), Top Othe Ra (66/1)

Trainer Willie Mullins has won the last five renewals of this contest and his SHARJAH, unlucky not to win over C&D in December can inflict a first defeat on the six-year-old Samcro who drops in trip today having won over 2m4f last time out. The selection has the ground and trip to suit in this contest while Early Doors, already placed at this level can finish third.