14:25 Leopardstown
Friday 28 December 2018
All12:1012:4513:2013:5014:2515:0015:35
Irish Daily Star Christmas Handicap Hurdle (80-116)
- 4YO plus  |  2m 4f 35y  |  Good to Yielding  |  23 Runners  |  Turf  |   Weighed In
- Off time: 14:25Â Â |Â Â Winning time: 5m 5.2s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Carlisle winner (2m3½f, good to soft) in March, when 2lb lower. Well held in all three runs since and looks up against it in this field.
Improved to win his previous two starts over fences, latest over 2m6½f at Punchestown from 6lb higher mark than this.
Running well throughout 2018 and but only has a Clonmel novice contest in May to show (subsequently disqualified from banned substance). Beaten out of sight last month at Cheltenham and opposable.
Lightly-raced maiden over timber, would be a shock to see him make winning bow in handicap company by landing this prize, despite connections.
Better known as a chaser, winning over 2m1f at Sligo in September (rated 120). Didn't run badly in fourth of 19 last month at Navan (2m6f, good) back over timber. Now in the care of Dermot Weld.
Has had his problems, but mostly running well over longer trips since joining Denis Hogan and could go well under his steer now dropped slightly in trip.
In good form overall of late until latest disappointment when upped to 3m and found to be coughing post-race. Presumably over that now and back to a more ideal distance so could again be in the mix here.
Last won in July 2016 over similar trip at Ballinrobe, rated 7lb lower now but no-show on recent return from a year off at Punchestown over this trip. Others better positioned.
Beat Arctic Light over 2m3f when scoring at Cork in October. Run well in two of three starts since (unseated in between times), capable of doing so once more from unchanged mark but more need to win.
Modest Flat handicapper, won quick-fire hat-trick of handicap hurdles in spring of 2015, latest off 105, but little to be positive about in this sphere since, including 30L defeat at Fairyhouse early this month.
Won a Downpatrick handicap hurdle in October over 2m2½f (soft) but found out by rise in the weights last time at Galway and comes here with demand on for career-best performance.
Some fair form early in 2018, including win at Navan over this trip on heavy ground (rated 97). Just didn't see out 2m6f on return to action having raced up with the pace, should be fitter now and can be in the mix.
Seemed to improve when scoring last month at Fairyhouse (2m4f, good) on reappearance. 8lb higher for his troubles and in a much deeper race. Tough enough follow-up bid but respected.
Won a handicap at Ballinrobe in September but held next time from his revised mark and since at Cheltenham in handicap. He's likely to struggle in a race this deep.
Six-race maiden hurdler who seemed to appreciate the drop to 2m when running well in defeat at Thurles last month. Back up in distance now, needs to improve for top trainer/jockey team.
Only won once in 35 starts and that almost four years ago in a maiden hurdle. Competitive in handicaps over the trip lately, but holds few secrets and remains vulnerable in this field.
Flat winner at the Curragh last summer, 0-6 so far over hurdles and while there's been some promise shown, the four-year-old likely learns plenty more here.
A consistent sort that finds winning elusive (1-23 over hurdles). Previous two starts over 2m4f at Punchestown and Cork had been sound efforts, though not as good last time over 2m at Navan.
Mare won a handicap at Downpatrick (2m5½f, yielding) in August and essentially built on that with far run in Down Royal mares' novice Grade 3 next time over 2m. Solid since, needs career-best to land this.
Four-race maiden over timber, showing very little so far. Comes into handicap company in very deep water and hard to see a big turnaround.
21-race maiden including 11 defeats over hurdles. Not the most consistent of sorts and looked to be up against it today.
Related to ex-top French hurdler Questarabad, Whisper and Traffic Fluide. First three hurdles runs have been poor. Returns from a break for handicap bow.
0-14 over timber previously, sole pair of successes coming over larger obstacles. Off since May, and not on favourable terms here.
Forecasts
Lake Takapuna (11/4), The Church Gate (8/1), Mighty Stowaway (9/1), Bothar Dubh (12/1), Wee Small Hours (12/1), Serious Ego (12/1), Odit (12/1), Smithscorner (16/1), Folly Dat (16/1), Monition (16/1), Arctic Light (16/1), Fruits Of Glory (20/1), Visioman (20/1), Youngnedofthehill (25/1), Ragin Cajun (25/1), Grand Canyon (25/1), Khudha (25/1), Bog War (25/1), Muroor (40/1), Apache Jack (40/1), Little Haarth (50/1), Duke's Girl (50/1), Stoughan Cross (50/1)
Wide open stuff here and perhaps ODIT and Denis Hogan will improve a place on their Clonmel second over the trip recently. He was squeezed out at the second last having got to the front, made a mistake and lost some momentum, before rallying to regain second. Inched up just a pound in the rating, he'd dangerous. The Church Gate has gone up 8lb for his win and is in deeper water now while both Smithscorner and Arctic Light are worth considering. Mighty Stowaway has more weight on but is in form while the drop in trip can help Wee Small Hours.
- Odit
- The Church Gate
- Arctic Light
Prize Money
1st: €9,240.002nd: €2,865.003rd: €1,365.004th: €615.005th: €240.00
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