12:40 Down Royal

Saturday 2 November 2019

All12:4013:1513:5014:2514:5515:3016:05

Value Cabs 3-Y-O Hurdle

Off time: 12:40 | Winning time: 4m 10.10s

A Wave Of The Sea¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 11-4| J: J J Slevin| T: J P O'Brien| C| D

2/1

Given too much to do when runner-up on hurdles bow at Listowel; game winner since at Punchestown 18 days ago in similar contest to this and key player under penalty.

Form: 21

Leahman²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 11-4| J: C P McNamara⁽⁷⁾| T: T O'Brien| D

9/2

Won by 33L at Gowran Park this month on third start over timber, how reliable that form is remains to be seen and likely will have to work to double up.

Form: 481

Anycity²⁴⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 10-12| J: C D Maxwell| T: J Larkin

33/1

Couple of AW wins in Britain from seven runs in that sphere, lodging a rating of 80 at best; goes hurdling for new connections and market check advised.

Form:

Ballydrislane^t1³⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 10-12| J: P J O'Hanlon⁽⁷⁾| T: R K Watson

66/1

Iffraaj colt has shown little or no aptitude in three career starts on the Flat and can be overlooked going jumping on first run for new connections.

Form:

Colfer Me^b²²

Age: 3| Weight: 10-12| J: S A Shortall| T: J P O'Brien| C

10/1

98-rated performer on the Flat at best, has gone well in two maiden hurdles including over C&D; trainer has more clear-cut claims with A Wave Of The Sea.

Form: 42

It's All Gucci³²²

Age: 3| Weight: 10-12| J: C J Orr⁽⁵⁾| T: Gary McGill

50/1

Equiano gelding, tailed off in Newcastle AW novice last December on sole start for Mick Appleby and goes jumping on debut for new stable with plenty to prove.

Form:

Khanmurjan^h⁶⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 10-12| J: P E Corbett| T: S R B Crawford

9/1

Son of Scat Daddy, showed ability on the Flat for Ed Dunlop in Britain and defied 33-1 SP when clear second behind Laura Bullion on debut for Stuart Crawford over C&D in August; this is tougher but may improve.

Form: 2

Saint D'Oroux¹⁷⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 10-12| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott

6/4

Runner-up on sole start in France in May, that race has thrown up a couple of winners and he's been snapped up by top connections since and sent to Gordon Elliott. Likely sort.

Form: 2

Slainte^h²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 10-12| J: A W Short⁽³⁾| T: Mrs S Dawson

66/1

Poor maiden on the Flat and finished a long way behind Laura Bullion on hurdles bow over C&D in August; unlikely to be toasting in the winners enclosure this time.

Form: 0

Laura Bullion^b¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 10-11| J: Sean Flanagan| T: N Meade| CD

8/1

Had a couple of these behind when scoring C&D in August but has 8L to turn around with A Wave Of The Sea on recent Punchestown third.

Form: 313

Forecasts

Saint D'Oroux (6/4), A Wave Of The Sea (2/1), Leahman (9/2), Laura Bullion (8/1), Khanmurjan (9/1), Colfer Me (10/1), Anycity (33/1), It's All Gucci (50/1), Ballydrislane (66/1), Slainte (66/1)

A Wave Of The Sea looks to be the better of the previous winners, with his form appearing stronger than that of Leahman. Joseph O'Brien's charge sets the standard but he concedes a penalty and, with Gordon Elliott saddling five winners here on Friday (last year's winner of this race amongst them), beware the French import SAINT D'OROUX. He was second on his one hurdles run before leaving the continent and could have plenty more to come now. Laura Bullion and hurdling newcomer Anycity are also considered.