13:45 Leopardstown
Wednesday 26 December 2018
All12:1012:4013:1013:4514:2014:5515:30
Sky Sports Racing Novice Handicap Hurdle
- 4YO plus  |  2m  |  Good to Yielding  |  15 Runners  |  Turf  |   Weighed In
- Off time: 13:47Â Â |Â Â Winning time: 3m 50.2s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Bumper winner was competitive in the majority of his maiden starts but has only managed midfield starts in two handicaps to date although the latest was a hot contest. 1lb back and cheekpieces added but others more compelling.
Comfortable 5½L winner of a Limerick maiden in his third and most recent start (second over hurdles). Opening handicap mark looks fair considering impression made there and sure there's more to come so leading claims here.
15-race Flat maiden so was a real surprise when he won on hurdles debut at Thurles at 25/1. Couldn't not be taken by that performance so certainly shouldn't be such odds this time as he has genuine claims.
Won last two hurdle races at Kilbeggan and Downpatrick and both landed in pretty comfortable fashion. Doubt either were the strongest of races but experience also a plus for a race like this so has to be considered once again.
Gowran maiden winner in second hurdles start but made several errors next at Galway and probably didn't last home over the extended 2m4f. Return to this trip a positive so better expected but others preferred.
Three-time Flat winner is none from 10 over hurdles. Recent efforts in maidens sound enough but struggled to make similar impression in handicaps so others make more appeal.
Five-times placed in eight hurdle races although lesser efforts of late. First handicap try here and more needed to make his presence felt based on recent efforts.
Navan winner in September has since run with plenty of credit at Cheltenham when fifth of 20 (Guido Reni fourth). That effort showed ability for competitive handicaps and claims here off 6lb lower mark.
In good form on the level and made all to win quite comfortably in a Navan handicap last time out. Upped 10lb for that success but that seems reasonable and top jockey in the saddle here which will help if similar tactics are to be employed.
In fine form of late with wins over 2m and 2m4f before latest second over 2m6f at Punchestown behind an easy winner. Latest 4lb hike means up a total of 20lb since good run but clearly on the up so highly respected.
Tipperary maiden hurdle winner has been in good form since in handicaps and followed a good fourth at Cheltenham with a second at Limerick back in novice company. Remains competitive off this mark but others less exposed.
One from 21 over hurdles and pulled up latest in a race where Demi Plie finished second. Be somewhat surprising if she can get competitive here.
Six-race maiden over hurdles ran a sound enough race latest when third to Warnaq at Navan. 10lb weight pull helps but not sure it will see him turn the tables given 9¾L margin between the pair.
Couldn't carry form of Flat win over when returning to hurdles latest at Punchestown where fifth of eight as favourite. Some form gives impression he could be fairly handicapped but not the most reliable.
Unplaced over hurdles and completely tailed off when stepped up in trip latest on return to hurdling after a spell back on the Flat. Hard to be confident on the back of that effort.
Forecasts
Warnaq (7/2), Share The Honour (9/2), Aforementioned (11/2), Try Again (8/1), Sir Benford Wales (8/1), Acclamatio (9/1), The Holy One (10/1), Tara Dylan (12/1), Demi Plie (16/1), Guido Reni (16/1), Mountain Fox (20/1), Vocarium (25/1), Lockeen Girl (25/1), Room To Roam (33/1), Mystique Heights (40/1)
In a fiercely competitive novices handicap such as this it often pays to side with less exposed types so the vote goes to recent Limerick winner AFOREMENTIONED who made a nice impression in what was only his third start. Warnaq impressed last time out and can go well again despite a 10lb rise given she won with plenty more than the official margin in hand. Also high on the shortlist is Try Again who ran well last time and he looks the sort to excel in such contests.
- Aforementioned
- Warnaq
- Try Again
Prize Money
1st: €12,320.002nd: €3,821.003rd: €1,820.004th: €820.005th: €320.00
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