13:10 Leopardstown

Wednesday 26 December 2018

All12:1012:4013:1013:4514:2014:5515:30

Knight Frank Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 2)

Off time: 13:12 | Winning time: 3m 56.50s

Chief Justice^t²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 11-1| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| OR: 124| D

4/1

Four from six over hurdles and won a Fairyhouse Grade 3 latest when beating re-opposing stablemate Coeur Sublime by a short head. 4lb better off with that rival here so every chance he confirms the form and claims very solid.

Form: 211121

Coeur Sublime²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 10-12| J: B J Cooper| T: G Elliott| BF| D

3/1

Winner of his first two starts before beaten a short head as the odds-on favourite most recently by Chief Justice in a Fairyhouse Grade 3. That rival 4lb better off here but this gelding is much less exposed so can improve to bridge the gap.

Form: 12

Coko Beach⁷²

Age: 3| Weight: 10-12| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott

6/1

Interesting place to start for this French import who won his only start in France at Nantes by 4½L. Third won next time out so solid look to that form and certainly has to be considered as one of five for his powerful yard.

Form: 1

Filon D'Oudairies^h1¹²⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 10-12| J: Mark Walsh| T: J P O'Brien

25/1

Nose second and close fourth in two French bumpers in August. Bought since by powerful connections so certainly an interesting type but pitched in at the deep end here so will take a very good run to make the frame.

Form: 24

Flat To The Max^b³²

Age: 3| Weight: 10-12| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: G Elliott| D

20/1

Gowran maiden hurdle winner latest (third start) where he showed improved form and a likable attitude. Will win plenty more races but looks fourth or fifth string for his yard here.

Form: U91

Got Trumped³⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 10-12| J: Brian Hayes| T: Mrs J Harrington

14/1

Built on promising second on hurdles debut when beating Rocky Blue by 2¾L at Punhcestown in a 20-runner maiden hurdle. That looked a decent contest so clearly has plenty of ability so not ruled out despite big hike in class.

Form: 21

Marmalade N Toast¹²

Age: 3| Weight: 10-12| J: L P Dempsey| T: P J Flynn

66/1

Only won once in 14 Flat races achieving a very moderate 51-rating. Surely would have been better suited by one of the maiden hurdles earlier on the card to start out.

Form:

Maze Runner¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 10-12| J: Danny Mullins| T: W P Mullins| D

10/1

Won ninth and final Flat start and carried that progress over to his hurdles debut where he won a 23-runner Cork maiden quite readily despite making a couple of jumping errors. Has to be respected given yard he hails from and progress likely.

Form: 1

Rocky Blue³⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 10-12| J: D J Mullins| T: T Mullins

14/1

74-rated Flat winner made a very promising start over hurdles when second to Got Trumped at Punchestown. Tougher task here and will do well to make the frame.

Form: 2

La Sorelita¹⁵⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 10-5| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins

3/1

French hurdles winner on debut finished third next time up. Joins Champion Trainer whose record with juveniles and fillies/mares is unparalleled so very highly respected and looks first string on jockey bookings.

Form: 13

Smiling Eliza¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 10-5| J: M A Enright| T: G Elliott| OR: 120| D

33/1

Dual hurdles winner during a busy summer and autumn campaign but had to settle for fourth when upped in class at Aintree latest to a Listed race. Stable runs five and three of them have more likable claims.

Form: 221214

Forecasts

La Sorelita (3/1), Coeur Sublime (3/1), Chief Justice (4/1), Coko Beach (6/1), Maze Runner (10/1), Rocky Blue (14/1), Got Trumped (14/1), Flat To The Max (20/1), Filon D'Oudairies (25/1), Smiling Eliza (33/1), Marmalade N Toast (66/1)

Gordon Elliott runs five here and three of them are high on the shortlist. Closely matched duo COEUR SUBLIME and Chief Justice bring the best form to the table and although the latter won the last clash and is now 4lb better off his less exposed stablemate is taken to reverse placings and gets the nod. Elliott won't have things all his own way however with two interesting Willie Mullins runners in the field. Paul Townend has chosen La Sorelita so she is favoured of the duo and the fillies allowance certainly helps.