Womens Little Christmas Lunch Rated Novice Hurdle

Off time: 12:20 | Winning time: 4m 12.90s

Ballyneety^h1,t²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Mark Walsh| T: J P O'Brien| BF| D

10/3

Gowran Park maiden hurdle winner made an even money favourite next time at Punchestown but tired and finished last of five runners. Sure he can better that effort now on much softer ground and in first-time hood.

Form: 3-15

Laverteen⁴⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: Sean Flanagan| T: N Meade| OR: 123| CD

9/4

Last season cut short but returned from a 336 days break to readily land the odds in a maiden hurdle over C&D last time out. Tougher here carrying a penalty for that success but sure to make a bold bid.

Form: 32402-1

Court Maid⁴⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: D J Mullins| T: T Mullins| OR: 118| C

11/4

Taken well to hurdling following a debut second with wins here (2m4f) and at Punchestown (3m). Drops back 1m in trip so that the biggest doubt especially considering a few jumping errors so far but form is rock-solid so must be respected.

Form: 214211

One First Cut¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Sean O'Keeffe⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss E Doyle| OR: 115| D

5/1

Placed in her last two hurdle starts before a summer break and performed at a similar level on return in December finishing midfield at Thurles in her first handicap but only beaten 6¾L. Others have more compelling claims here.

Form: 4452-36

Rock Road⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Brian Hayes| T: M J Bowe| OR: 111| D

7/1

Fairyhouse maiden winner at the eighth time of asking over hurdles has since found life tougher in novice contests at Leopardstown and Punchestown. Form not far from required but little scope for improvement.

Form: 29-5146

Stander⁴¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: C A Landers⁽⁵⁾| T: P Stafford| OR: 109| D

33/1

66/1 Roscommon maiden winner has since finished out of the money in three races. May be better served in handicaps now and looks up against it here on evidence so far.

Form: 001507

Non-Runners

Lucky Icon⁸⁸

Weight: 10-13| Age: 5

T: T Mullins J: A E Lynch

Forecasts

Laverteen (9/4), Court Maid (11/4), Ballyneety (10/3), One First Cut (5/1), Rock Road (7/1), Lucky Icon (10/1), Stander (33/1)

Such was the impression he made at Gowran, BALLYNEETY gained Grade One entries over the festive period but after a disappointing effort at Punchestown such plans had to be shelved. It is hard to believe that was his true running however so he is given another chance with the hope that first-time headgear proves key. Laverteen is relatively lightly raced for his age but showed that he has plenty of potential when winning last time after a lengthy absence. Court Maid has solid form but over further and on faster ground hence her being third best here.