14:20 Fairyhouse

Sunday 21 April 2019

All13:5014:2014:5015:2015:5016:2517:00

YR Sauce Novice Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:25 | Winning time: 4m 55.30s

Embrun Mitja⁷⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 12-2| J: H Morgan⁽⁷⁾| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 129

9/1

Once-raced winner in France, snapped up by Gigginstown and won a Naas 2m3f maiden hurdle in December before finding the step in to Grade 1 company at Leopardstown beyond him. Likely to be better suited handicapping.

Form: 10

Darver Star¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: J M Moore| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 119| D

6/1

The Kalanisi gelding got off the mark at the fifth time of asking over hurdles when landing a Wexford handicap hurdle last month of a 13lb lower mark. Another bold show looks likely.

Form: 659431

Asbury Boss⁴³⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: B J Cooper| T: T Cooper| OR: 118

33/1

Career best when finishing second of 12 beaten 3¼L in a Down Royal maiden hurdle on soft ground in November. Well held on handicap debut at Leopardstown over Christmas and may find it tough going here on return to action.

Form: 4020-

The Big Lense^t⁴²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: L P Dempsey| T: G Elliott| OR: 117| D

7/1

Caught the eye when landing his maiden in a Bellewstown contest in August. Not strictly built on that in three starts since but may run well here for respected connections without troubling the judge.

Form: 3-81647

Avellino³⁴³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: R M Power| T: D A McLoughlin| OR: 116| C

6/1

One from six over hurdles including an 18L maiden hurdle win over 2m1f at Ballinrobe in May. Course winner of a 2m bumper previously and more than likely will need the run here on return from an 11-month break.

Form: 5P/32-16

The Caddy Rose^p¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Sean Flanagan| T: N Meade| OR: 115

12/1

Impressed around the turn of the year when landing a Punchestown bumper and maiden hurdle. Generally well held in a couple of novice hurdles since, but more than likely to be suited by the switch to handicap company with the yard in good sorts.

Form: 021174

The Dabbler⁸⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: D F O'Regan| T: L P Cusack| OR: 114

14/1

Winning point-to-pointer, needs to improve on efforts over timber in three maiden hurdle spins to date. Possibly best watched unless the market indicates otherwise on handicap debut.

Form: 15-8657

Ozzie's Way^t¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: D G Hogan| T: D Hogan| OR: 112| D

33/1

In good form on dry ground last autumn. Well down the field on return to action in a 2m4f handicap hurdle on yielding ground earlier this month. Place claims in the drying weather.

Form: 241320

Weihnachts³⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-10| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: P J Rothwell| OR: 109

14/1

25/1 shot but failed by just a short-head at Clonmel in February before disappointing at Limerick last month over 2m finishing fifth of 14 beaten 26L. Worth a market check, up in trip for handicap debut.

Form: 6-8025

Christopher Robin^b,t³⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 10-9| J: J J Slevin| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 119

10/1

Scored on the Flat over 1m3½f for Aidan O'Brien at Limerick last June. Won a maiden hurdle at the fourth time of asking at Wexford on soft to heavy ground last month. Market likely to be the best guide stepping up in trip on handicap debut.

Form: 0301

Megabucks⁴⁶⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 10-9| J: Killian Moore| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 108| BF

20/1

Point-to-point winner in Ireland, ran well at a big price in Warwick novice hurdle in October and gained a steep opening mark as a result for trainer Henry Oliver. Switches back to hurdling on debut for Champion hurdle winning yard.

Form: P1/2532-

Roxboro Road^b1⁴⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-8| J: Mark Walsh| T: T M Walsh| OR: 107

6/1

One from five over hurdles with sole win coming in a Ballinrobe handicap 11 months ago off a 9lb lower mark. Chasing since with some success including a win at Leopardstown over 2m5½f last month. First-time blinkers can only assist.

Form: 184431

British Art^h²²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-7| J: A Ring| T: R K Watson| OR: 106

18/1

Running admirably in defeat in a number of starts over hurdles since the turn of the year prior to a couple of below par runs here in February and at Downpatrick last month. Last seen well held on the Flat, no surprise to witness improvement.

Form: 224204

Road Warrior³⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-7| J: Jack Kennedy| T: N Meade| OR: 106

14/1

Fair jumps pedigree and represents top yard but, hadn't shown too much in three starts under Rules before finishing fourth of 14 beaten 21L in a Limerick maiden hurdle last month. Open to plenty of improvement on handicap debut.

Form: F-75704

Upgraded^t⁸⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-12| J: J J Burke| T: A J Martin| OR: 97

16/1

Six-race maiden hurdler who finished well down the field on handicap debut in a Gowran Park contest when last seen in January. Left with plenty to prove based on what she has shown to date.

Form: F0-U900

Result Amended

Embrun Mitja - Original Position 2nd. Amended Position 3rd.

Christopher Robin - Original Position 3rd. Amended Position 2nd.

Non-Runners

Peterstown¹⁴

Weight: 10-3| Age: 7

T: T Gibney J: Dillon Maxwell

Shimmer And Shine⁷

Weight: 10-3| Age: 6

T: P Croke J: Mr C Cullinan

Forecasts

Roxboro Road (6/1), Darver Star (6/1), Avellino (6/1), The Big Lense (7/1), Embrun Mitja (9/1), Christopher Robin (10/1), Shimmer And Shine (10/1), The Caddy Rose (12/1), Road Warrior (14/1), Weihnachts (14/1), The Dabbler (14/1), Upgraded (16/1), British Art (18/1), Megabucks (20/1), Ozzie's Way (33/1), Peterstown (33/1), Asbury Boss (33/1)

In a wide-open contest, the Ted Walsh-trained ROXBORO ROAD can lead the way here following a handicap hurdle win last May and a solid winter campaign over the larger obstacles, culminating in a win at Leopardstown over 2m5½f last month. First-time blinkers are fitted to assist on return to hurdling and the Oscar gelding can see off the attentions of the Henry De Bromhead-trained, Naas winner, Embrun Mitja and potential improver from the Joseph O'Brien yard, Christopher Robin. Darver Spirit on debut for Gavin Cromwell and Avellino, the mount of Robbie Power require consideration.