14:10 Fairyhouse

Saturday 30 November 2019

All11:5012:2513:0013:3514:1014:4515:15

Christmas Party Race Day December 14th Rated Novice Hurdle

Off time: 14:12 | Winning time: 5m 11.50s

Definite Plan¹¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott

7/2

Denied by just a neck when second at Fairyhouse (2m4f; soft to heavy) when attempting to make it 2-2 over hurdles. That is pretty strong form, and he should make a bold bid to concede weight all round.

Form: PPP/P-12

Gold Speed^h³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Sean Flanagan| T: A Murray

13/2

Followed up maiden win in a bumper by making a successful transition to the hurdling ranks at Galway (2m; soft) in September. This is tougher, but he won that day in pretty comfortable fashion.

Form: F29/211

Our Friend³⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 11-4| J: B J Cooper| T: P Nolan| D

10/1

Holds the perfect record (1-1) after making an impressive start to his career in a Wexford (2m4f; heavy) maiden-hurdle. This is a step up in class, but he must be respected and is definitely one for the shortlist.

Form: 1

Military Hill²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: D J McInerney| T: P Stafford| OR: 118

33/1

Suffered a heavy defeat on his handicap debut at Navan (2m; soft to heavy) recently. Form in novice hurdles was not up to the level of some of his rivals. Others have far stronger claims.

Form: 3120

Kalanisi Og^h1¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: Danny Mullins| T: W P Mullins

8/1

Justified long odds-on favouritism (1/4f) with the minimum of fuss at Clonmel (2m; soft to heavy) earlier this month. Jumping will need to improve, but she looks to have a lot of natural ability. Major player in follow-up bid.

Form: 1-721

Blackhillsofdakota²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-13| J: R P Treacy⁽⁵⁾| T: J Halley| OR: 118

20/1

Made a winning start to life over obstacles, but has subsequently struggled since stepping up in grade the last twice. Should therefore appreciate the return to novice company, but has something to prove after the manner of his latest defeat.

Form: 210-157

Imperial View⁵⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 10-13| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| D

7/1

Off the mark at the second attempt over hurdles when successful at Tipperary (2m4f; yielding) last month. Has something to find on form as this is a much tougher race, but he has only had two starts under rules.

Form: 2-61

Party Playboy⁴⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: M P Fogarty| T: A Mullins| OR: 113| BF| D

11/8

Ran an absolute blinder when runner-up to Stratum in the Cesarewitch at Newmarket (2m2f; soft) when last seen. Now returns to hurdles off a 2lb higher mark than for finishing third at Killarney (2m7f; good) back in August. Vulnerable to improvers.

Form: 34-4513

Chasing Charlie⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 10-8| J: A W Short⁽³⁾| T: Caroline Mccaldin

100/1

Failed to make an impact on both starts over hurdles. The latter of those two efforts only came at Navan (2m4f; soft) last Sunday. Of interest when moving into handicaps, but can't be fancied at the moment.

Form: 6-PP60

Forecasts

Party Playboy (11/8), Definite Plan (7/2), Gold Speed (13/2), Imperial View (7/1), Kalanisi Og (8/1), Our Friend (10/1), Blackhillsofdakota (20/1), Military Hill (33/1), Chasing Charlie (100/1)

A competitive event with Our Friend somewhat an unknown quantity after he made a winning start to his career in a weaker race than this. He must enter calculations after going awfully close in the Cesarewitch on the flat when last seen, but we know how good Party Playboy really is over hurdles. Kalanisi Og had to rely on her class after making a few jumping errors when getting off the mark at Clonmel recently. She will need to hurdle more fluently but has strong claims. The selection is DEFINITE PLAN who only narrowly failed to maintain his unbeaten record over obstacles when a neck-second to an above-average Gigginstown-sort. He can concede the weight all round.