15:05 Leopardstown

Saturday 29 December 2018

All12:1012:4513:2013:5514:3015:0515:40

Virgin Media Business Irish EBF Novice Handicap Hurdle (80-130)

Off time: 15:10 | Winning time: 5m 3.10s

Jack Dillinger^h²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: J J Slevin| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 130| D

5/1

Much improved this term and particularly impressive last time when settling better. Had more in hand than the 7L margin indicated and worth considering despite his big weight.

Form: 80-9211

Vinnie The Hoddie⁶²

Age: 4| Weight: 11-6| J: E T Daly⁽⁷⁾| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 130| D

25/1

Has a good ground action and fulfilled expectations at Gowran Park. Disappointing since, even allowing for the conditions, and something to prove now.

Form: 30-316

Milliner⁵⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 125

5/1

Punchestown winner who bumped into a smart mare last time. Handicap mark no more than fair, but stable have been on a good run over Christmas.

Form: 12

Gallant John Joe³¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: B Browne⁽⁵⁾| T: O McKiernan| OR: 124

7/1

Awarded his penultimate race following lab tests and looked an improved sort wen making short work of his rivals a month ago. Steps into handicap company for the first time and looks reasonably treated.

Form: 576-421

Minella Times²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Mark Walsh| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 124

7/1

Winner over 2m on soft ground in May but mixed performances since. Easily outpointed last time in a small field when the favourite underperformed and handicap mark no better than fair.

Form: F/4-1472

Petit Tartare⁶²

Age: 4| Weight: 11-3| J: S A Shortall| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 127

12/1

Winner on hurdling debut when making good headway in the final stages to land a Listowel maiden. Promises to do better over more of a trip and when he learns to jump fluently.

Form: 7-142

The Holy One^p³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: R M Power| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 122

7/2

10-race maiden who produced the best of his three runs in handicap company last time. Looks vulnerable against these more progressive types

Form: 3-34703

Vocarium^v1³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Jack Kennedy| T: Peter Fahey| OR: 118

25/1

Beat Jack Dillinger at Gowran Park in October. That rival's improvement is surpassed by this five-year-old's decline and the visor needs to produce significant results.

Form: 7-46170

Clash Of D Titans³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-8| J: C P McNamara⁽⁷⁾| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 114

12/1

Showed some ability on second hurdle start for Warren Greatrex but he has been tailed off on all starts since over both sets of obstacles.

Form: 326-665

Court Tycoon²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-7| J: R Loughran| T: Peter Fahey| OR: 113| D

8/1

No match for Jack Dilinger last time when a mistake at the last may have seen him get a bit closer. Handicapper has given him a chance, but quicker ground would have enhanced his appeal.

Form: 160322

Rock Road²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-6| J: Brian Hayes| T: M J Bowe| OR: 112

25/1

Had a subsequent winner behind when opening his account at Fairyhouse. Nevertheless, initial handicap mark leaves no margin for error and his best efforts have come over shorter.

Form: P29-514

Mysloegin^t⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-3| J: M A Enright| T: J R Finn| OR: 109| D

33/1

Soundly beaten off similar marks in three completed handicap hurdles and others have more impressive claims in a competitive event.

Form: 1F6034

Vanellope⁹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-3| J: J M Moore| T: P Croke| OR: 109| D

25/1

Off the mark for connections in a Ballinrobe handicap hurdle at the fifth time of asking but needs to raise overall performance to play a role here.

Form: 4570-01

Non-Runners

Court Maid⁴¹

Weight: 10-12| Age: 5

T: T Mullins J: D J Mullins

Forecasts

The Holy One (7/2), Milliner (5/1), Court Maid (5/1), Jack Dillinger (5/1), Gallant John Joe (7/1), Minella Times (7/1), Court Tycoon (8/1), Clash Of D Titans (12/1), Petit Tartare (12/1), Vanellope (25/1), Rock Road (25/1), Vinnie The Hoddie (25/1), Vocarium (25/1), Mysloegin (33/1)

Five-year-olds have won three of the previous four runnings and GALLANT JOHN JOE can add to that record judged on his recent victory. The fifth that day has run well since to earn a mark off 116 and that suggests the selection has got in lightly here given his scope for further improvement. Jack Dillinger was impressive last time but the handicapper has retaliated, nevertheless a line through the third gives him the edge over hat-trick seeker Court Maid. Milliner and Minella Times both need to improve, but the current form of their yard makes that a possibility.