12:50 Leopardstown

Saturday 2 February 2019

All12:5013:2514:0014:3515:1015:4516:20

Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors '50,000 Cheltenham Bonus For Stable Staff' Novice Hurdle (Grade 1)

Off time: 12:50 | Winning time: 5m 20.9s

Choungaya^t⁴⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: J J Slevin| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 133

33/1

Maiden winner over 2m at Tipperary in October, held his own in pair of Grade 3 contests subsequently but well beaten since in Navan Grade 2 (2m4f, yielding). Should find a few of these too strong.

Form: 231335

Come To Me^h1²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins

11/1

Cork maiden winner over 2m and was fancied next time in Naas Grade 1 over 2m4f but backed out rapidly as Battleoverdoyen scored. Plenty to work on judged on that run.

Form: 1/617

Defi Bleu³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| OR: 136

7/1

Winner of a Navan 2m4f maiden hurdle in November before disappointing connections and favourite backers when going down by over 6L to Easy Game back there. Close second of six in 3m Limerick Grade 2 on soft over Christmas. Should give solid account.

Form: 18-2132

Dorrells Pierji³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: D F O'Regan| T: W P Mullins| OR: 138| BF

20/1

2-3 over timber prior to finishing last of six in 3m Limerick Grade 2 on soft over Christmas. Not beaten all that far and pulled hard early on, so a chance he can improve on that effort. One of five for the yard in here.

Form: 111516

Dunvegan⁴⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: A E Lynch| T: P A Fahy

7/1

Dual bumper winner last season and began career over obstacles with decisive maiden score at Fairyhouse in December over 2m4f (good to yielding). Second and third won next time out, likely has more to come and interesting.

Form: 21621-1

First Approach^p1¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Sean Flanagan| T: N Meade| OR: 132| D

50/1

Winner of maiden/novice contests at Down Royal and Thurles over this trip already, though twice well held in graded contest in between times. Could be a similar tale now back up in class.

Form: 121461

Gallant John Joe³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: B Browne| T: O McKiernan| OR: 128| D

33/1

Punchestown maiden winner over this trip in November, good effort here in 2m4f handicap over Christmas (second) but this demands plenty more.

Form: 76-4212

Getareason^h1²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: B Hayes| T: W P Mullins| OR: 136

16/1

1-7 over timber but very consistent including placed efforts in graded company at Navan and Naas lately. Hood added but still requires a bit of improvement on bare form.

Form: 134423

Magnium²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: R M Power| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 135

12/1

Has run well enough in graded races this season without winning. Closely matched with Getareason on Naas form earlier this month over 2m4f. Won't want to see the ground deteriorating.

Form: 7-12294

Rhinestone^t⁴⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Mark Walsh| T: J P O'Brien

10/1

Cosy winner of 2m Naas maiden in November, though was well held (fourth) in Navan Grade 2 behind Getareason (second) and Defi Bleu (third) next time. Capable of improving on third start over timber, up in distance.

Form: 2129-14

The Big Dog⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: D J Mullins| T: Peter Fahey

13/2

Impressively came away to win 2m4f Gowran Park maiden nine days ago, though his jumping was a cause for some concern at times and likely he'll be punished for repeating slight errors in this company.

Form: F41-421

Commander Of Fleet⁶²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott

13/2

Impressive wins in a Punchestown bumper and maiden hurdle before a heavy defeat stepping in to Grade 1 company at Fairyhouse in December over 2m. Looks certain to be suited going up in distance and strong showing anticipated.

Form: 11-14

Embrun Mitja⁴⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead

33/1

Once-raced winner in France, snapped up by Gigginstown and successful in a 2m3f (yielding) Naas maiden in December on stable bow. Has to improve in this company.

Form: 1

Malinas Jack³⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: B J Cooper| T: H De Bromhead| C

40/1

Lightly-raced French import, won a 2m4f maiden hurdle around here at Christmas on seasonal bow/hurdles debut. Scope for doing better, but this may prove a learning curve.

Form: 327-1

Relegate⁴⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Ruby Walsh| T: W P Mullins| C

4/1

Flew home to win Champion Bumper at Cheltenham in March. She was held at Punchestown on hurdles bow over this trip in November and while scoring since at Naas (2m, yielding), she'll have to jump better now. Gets weight from the boys.

Form: 1117-21

Salsaretta³⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Mr P W Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 137

9/1

Justified favouritism on seasonal bow to score at Limerick over Christmas (2m4f, soft to heavy). Runner-up was decisive Grade 2 winner over 2m next time, fourth also won since. Much-respected.

Form: 92/F5-11

Forecasts

Relegate (4/1), Commander Of Fleet (13/2), The Big Dog (13/2), Dunvegan (7/1), Defi Bleu (7/1), Salsaretta (9/1), Rhinestone (10/1), Come To Me (11/1), Magnium (12/1), Getareason (16/1), Dorrells Pierji (20/1), Gallant John Joe (33/1), Choungaya (33/1), Embrun Mitja (33/1), Malinas Jack (40/1), First Approach (50/1)

Willie Mullins' record in this is excellent, with six of the last seven winners. He fires five at the prize and they'd make for a great race on their own. The mares Relegate and Salsaretta are appealing, with preference for the latter on her impressive Limerick win and better jumping. There was also plenty to like in Dunvegan's Fairyhouse maiden win and better is likely forthcoming. Defi Bleu and Rhinestone are potential improvers but so, too, is COMMANDER OF FLEET. He was never a threat in the Royal Bond, with 2m and a tactical race conspiring against him, but could now have a big say with his stamina being called upon to proper effect.