12:30 Down Royal

Thursday 26 December 2019

All12:0012:3013:0013:3514:1014:4515:20

Connolly's RED MILLS Irish EBF Auction Maiden Hurdle

Off time: 12:30 | Winning time: 4m 43.5s

Behind The Curtain¹⁹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: J P O'Sullivan⁽⁷⁾| T: P J Rothwell| OR: 116

9/1

Was a winner of a bumper at Cork (2m) back in January in what was just his second outing on the track. He has had three runs over hurdles where he has hit the frame on his last two attempts. Set for his first run for his new yard. One to consider.

Form: 214-33

Russian Diamond^t¹⁵⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: M P Fogarty| T: E Mullins| D

5/4

Scored in a bumper at Galway (2m½f) on his second career start where he made all to score by 1L. Set for his hurdles debut now where he will be in with a great chance of recording success at his opening attempt.

Form: 6-1

Working Capitol³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: B Browne⁽⁵⁾| T: O McKiernan

33/1

Has failed to shine in three starts so far on the track. He finished a long way off the winner when he was 17th of 22 at Punchestown over the extended 2m trip on his latest start after going off at 100/1. Needs to improve.

Form: F-80

Our Seamus¹⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Ms K Ferris⁽⁷⁾| T: Eoin Barry

33/1

Has struggled in all five of his appearance to date. He made his seasonal reappearance at Naas (2m) last time where he could only finish 18th of 21. Needs to take a huge stride forward so others are preferred.

Form: 8/05P-0

Samba Dancer²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 11-7| J: R P Treacy⁽⁵⁾| T: E Doyle

25/1

Came home sixth of 18 on his Rules debut at Thurles (2m) last month. Was unsuccessful in two attempts in point-to-points prior to that run. Open to improvement but best to watch on his latest appearance.

Form: 3P-6

Farsideofthemoon⁴⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-5| J: Keith Donoghue| T: G Elliott

11/1

Showed some promise on his debut when he was fourth of 11 in a bumper at Fairyhouse (2m). Failed to build upon that last time at Thurles (2m) though, as he was 10th of 14. Will need to produce more.

Form: 40

Moonshot⁵⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: P E Corbett| T: S R B Crawford

20/1

Was unsuccessful in five point-to-point starts before finishing third of 10 on her Rules debut at this course (2m½f) in a bumper. Set for her first run over hurdles now where there may be more to come. Best to watch.

Form: F572-83

Getaway Lucy³³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: A W Short⁽³⁾| T: C A McBratney

25/1

Her sole appearance so far on the track came at Kirkistown (3m) last month in a point-to-point where she was fifth of nine runners. Set for her Rules debut this time around. Not one that leaps off the page.

Form: 5

Arthur's Baby¹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: I J McCarthy| T: M M McNiff

33/1

Scored in a point-to-point at Kildorrery (3m) back in February. Has had five outings under Rules since where she has struggled on each occasion, including when she was 14th of 21 at Naas (2m) last time. Others appeal more.

Form: 170-700

Dilly Filly^p1¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: M Hamill⁽³⁾| T: C A McBratney

33/1

Failed to hit the frame in three runs in point-to-points. She then came back a long way down the field on her Rules debut at Navan (2m4f) when she was 17th of 25. Will wear cheekpieces for the first time here. Needs to improve.

Form: 766-0

Rhythm Divine¹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: Simon Torrens⁽⁷⁾| T: T Gibney| OR: 120

11/8

Remains a maiden after 10 attempts on the track. She was second of seven in a Listed contest at Punchestown (2m) back in May. Was third of 21 at Naas (2m) on her latest attempt. Leading contender at this level.

Form: 332-263

Ringhill Lady³²

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Mr C Abernethy⁽⁷⁾| T: J J Lambe

50/1

Exposed now with six appearances on the track. She could only finish 13th of 19 last time at Navan (2m4f). Dropping back down in trip now. Hard to make a case for on the evidence of what we have seen so far.

Form: 695P90

Non-Runners

Ballyhot Boy³⁰

Weight: 11-7| Age: 4

T: N Meade J: E Walsh

Forecasts

Russian Diamond (5/4), Rhythm Divine (11/8), Ballyhot Boy (8/1), Behind The Curtain (9/1), Farsideofthemoon (11/1), Moonshot (20/1), Samba Dancer (25/1), Getaway Lucy (25/1), Working Capitol (33/1), Arthur's Baby (33/1), Dilly Filly (33/1), Our Seamus (33/1), Ringhill Lady (50/1)

RUSSIAN DIAMOND scored nicely in a bumper last time out and he can follow that up with victory in his opening attempt over hurdles where he is likely to make all. Rhythm Divine is 0-10 on the track, however, she has finished second in a Listed race so she should go close at this level, while Behind The Curtain has hit the frame on his last two appearances and can do the same once again.