13:00 Fairyhouse

Sunday 1 December 2019

All12:3013:0013:3014:0514:4015:1015:40

baroneracing.com Royal Bond Novice Hurdle (Grade 1)

Off time: 13:00 | Winning time: 4m 1.40s

Abacadabras²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| D

7/2

Won his maiden on hurdling debut in facile fashion at Gowran Park, and improved further when landing the Grade 3 'For Auction' Novice Hurdle at Navan over a similar trip last time. Needs stablemate to falter.

Form: 1R4-211

Darver Star^t1⁴⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: J M Moore| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 145

20/1

Four victories over a variety of trips in August/September/October marked him out as a rising star. Winner in Listed company last month, but the Kalanisi gelding has plenty on his plate here.

Form: 16-1111

Embittered^h²²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Mark Walsh| T: J P O'Brien| D

16/1

Won on hurdling debut last month, taking closer order in the straight, driven to challenge on the run-in before keeping on well under pressure to win by ½L at Naas over a similar trip. May be capable of better still.

Form: U313-41

Envoi Allen²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| CD

8/11

Champion Bumper winner at Cheltenham in March, Muhtathir gelding made all on hurdling debut in a Down Royal maiden over 2m½f to win in facile fashion by over 6L. Looks to hold all the aces.

Form: 1/1111-1

Fast Buck^t1²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: R M Power| T: W P Mullins| OR: 144| D

33/1

Winner of a Listed contest at the Galway festival before a defeat in a similar contest in October, the gelding looked overwhelmed in Grade 3 'For Auction' hurdle at Navan last month. Yard have won this contest in seven of the last 11 years.

Form: 23-1125

Midnight Run¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: J P O'Brien| D

6/1

Dual bumper winner who was less than 5L second to the classy Envoi Allen in Listed company in-between. Impressive winner on hurdling debut of a Cork 2m, 15-runner maiden last month, landing the spoils by over 9L. Place claims.

Form: 121-1

Turnpike Trip⁵⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: K J Brouder| T: C Byrnes| OR: 141| D

25/1

Winner of three of his four starts over hurdles since July including a ½L victory in a Tipperary Grade 3 contest in October. Others look more convincing in this company.

Form: 1211

Foveros³⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 11-7| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 140| D

14/1

Needs to step up from a couple of novice hurdle wins since August. Looks up against it but should be noted that leading yard have won this contest on seven occasions since 2008 including four of the last five renewals.

Form: 1211

Soviet Pimpernel³⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 11-7| J: Kevin Sexton| T: Peter Fahey| D

16/1

Made winning hurdles debut at Gowran Park before finishing second of seven, ¾L behind Quel Destin in a Cheltenham 2m½f contest in October. Could well still have more to give but likely to be competing for place money.

Form: 23-112

Forecasts

Envoi Allen (8/11), Abacadabras (7/2), Midnight Run (6/1), Foveros (14/1), Embittered (16/1), Soviet Pimpernel (16/1), Darver Star (20/1), Turnpike Trip (25/1), Fast Buck (33/1)

It's difficult to get away from the obvious chances of the Gordon Elliott-trained ENVOI ALLEN. The five-year-old won as he liked on hurdling debut in a Down Royal 2m½f contest on soft ground and can build on that 6½L victory at the expense of stablemate, Abacadabras who did little wrong when landing the Grade 3 'For Auction' novice hurdle at Navan over a similar trip last month. The Willie Mullins-trained Foveros looks a lively outsider representing respected yard who have won this contest on seven occasions since 2008 including four of the last five renewals.