14:35 Leopardstown

Saturday 2 February 2019

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

Matheson (C & G) I.N.H Flat Race (Grade 2)

Off time: 14:35 | Winning time: 3m 45.30s

Envoi Allen⁴⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-13| J: Mr J J Codd| T: G Elliott| D

4/6

Promising winner of both starts in this sphere, latest a decisive Listed win at Navan on good to yielding. Concedes weight but very likely is going to prove up to the task.

Form: 1-11

Abacadabras⁹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Ms L O'Neill| T: G Elliott| D

10/1

Narrow Galway winner on debut in October on debut, off since. Open to improvement, though stable also saddles the likely market leader here.

Form: 1

Ash Hill^h³⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Mr D O'Connor| T: J P O'Brien| CD

20/1

Improved from debut to win a C&D bumper over Christmas when fancied in the betting to do so. Going the right way, for all that this is a tougher contest on paper.

Form: 541

Beacon Edge⁹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Mr M J O'Hare| T: N Meade| D

25/1

Son of Doyen purchased for €12,000 in June last year. Half-brother to three time winner Fridaynightlights. Won Ayr bumper for Nicky Richards in October, with pair of next-time-out winners behind in second and third. Since joined this leading yard.

Form: 1

Embittered^h,t⁵⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Mr T Hamilton| T: J P O'Brien| D

10/1

Joined these connections after €46,000 after finishing third in his second point-to-point. Sported an array of headgear on rules bow and got job done well at Punchestown, albeit the form has taken a few knocks since.

Form: U31

Meticulous^t³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Mr B O'Neill| T: J P O'Brien

20/1

Out of the high-class staying mare Refinement but possesses a nice turn of foot as displayed when trouncing his rivals in a slowly run contest at Killarney in July. Well-held over C&D last month, with ground to make up on Mt Leinster.

Form: 14

Mt Leinster^h³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Mr P W Mullins| T: W P Mullins| BF| D

8/1

Won on Ballinrobe debut in September before chasing home Malone Road. Turned over since at odds-on over C&D, he was left with plenty to do then and isn't written off.

Form: 123

Neptune^b³⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Mr F Maguire| T: D K Weld| C

8/1

Career-best when winning 11-runner bumper over 2m4f here last time, getting off the mark at the fourth attempt. Has to prove he wants this drop in distance.

Form: 3221

Run Wild Fred²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Mr D G Lavery| T: G Elliott| D

16/1

Winner on second start in bumpers at Fairyhouse over 2m (good) three weeks' ago. Trainer seemingly has two better chances in the race.

Form: D31

Ebadali

Age: 4| Weight: 10-7| J: Mr H C Swan| T: D Hogan

100/1

A €6,000 three-year-old, Cape Cross colt. He is closely related to useful 1m2f winner Ebeyina. The only newcomer in this field and looks a tall order.

Form:

Forecasts

Envoi Allen (4/6), Mt Leinster (8/1), Neptune (8/1), Embittered (10/1), Abacadabras (10/1), Run Wild Fred (16/1), Meticulous (20/1), Ash Hill (20/1), Beacon Edge (25/1), Ebadali (100/1)

ENVOI ALLEN had a strong reputation before he made the racecourse and he is building on it now, with impressive success at Fairyhouse and Navan already, displaying plenty pace in doing so. He concedes weight to his rivals, but looks likely to cement his place in the Cheltenham Champion Bumper by maintaining his perfect record. This is no penalty kick however. Stablemate Abacadabras, C&D winner Ash Hill, once-raced British winner Beacon Edge and Mt Leinster are all capable of bursting his bubble.