Sky Sports Racing Launching January 1st Novice Hurdle (Grade 2)

Off time: 14:10 | Winning time: 6m 23.00s

Derrinross^t²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: L P Dempsey| T: J P Dempsey| D

7/2

Off the track for over 12-months when returning to win a Grade 3 Cork novice hurdle over 3m earlier this month. Needs to up his game once again here.

Form: 23/422-1

Cap York¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Sean Flanagan| T: N Meade

12/1

Won a Navan maiden hurdle on return to action following an absence of two years when landing the spoils earlier this month at odds of 7/1. Yard among the winners this week and hold strong place claims.

Form: 26/1

Defi Bleu¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: D F O'Regan| T: G Elliott| OR: 132| BF

11/4

Winner of a Navan 2m4f maiden hurdle last month before disappointing connections and favourite backers when going down by over 6L to Easy Game at the same venue earlier this month. Expected to improve for the step up in trip.

Form: 2/18-213

Dorrells Pierji⁶²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 138| D

6/4

Two from three over hurdles but found the Grade 3 Joe Mac at Tipperary beyond him in October. Possibilities but needs to improve here.

Form: 0-11151

Monbeg Worldwide¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Donagh Meyler| T: G Elliott| D

16/1

Successfully conceded 11lb to a useful mare over 2m4f at Fairyhouse last month showing a good attitude before disappointing at Navan behind Easy Game this month. Not ruled out but this looks a tough ask.

Form: 23-5117

Pleasure Dome²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-10| J: Danny Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 130| D

8/1

Solid and consistent daughter of Makfi that deserves a change of luck. Well held over this trip in a Grade 3 contest at Cork this month and may find this a tough assignment.

Form: 121123

Forecasts

Dorrells Pierji (6/4), Defi Bleu (11/4), Derrinross (7/2), Pleasure Dome (8/1), Cap York (12/1), Monbeg Worldwide (16/1)

With many eyes on the meeting at Leopardstown, trainer Gordon Elliott looks to have found an ideal opportunity for the potentially exciting DEFI BLEU to get back to winning ways here at the expense of another Gigginstown House Stud representative Cap York and last time out winner, Derrinross.