13:10 Leopardstown

Thursday 26 December 2019

All12:1012:4013:1013:4514:2014:5515:30

Knight Frank Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 2)

Off time: 13:10 | Winning time: 4m 7.5s

A Wave Of The Sea^p1²⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 10-12| J: J J Slevin| T: J P O'Brien| BF| D

5/2

Has won twice from four starts over hurdles, and started favourite when 2¼L second of 9 to Cerberus in Bar One Racing Juvenile 3-Y-O Hurdle at Fairyhouse last time. Cheekpieces tried now, and has solid place claims.

Form: 2112

Aramax¹⁷²

Age: 3| Weight: 10-12| J: Mark Walsh| T: G Elliott| D

13/2

Better effort in juvenile hurdles for Guillaume Macaire when winning at Vittel in July by 5 lengths from Griffon d'Aubrelle. Hard to quantify that form, but looks useful at least.

Form: 31

Aspire Tower³⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 10-12| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| D

15/8

Useful on Flat for Steve Gollings, and made the perfect start over hurdles when landing a 15-runner juvenile maiden at Punchestown on by 13 lengths from Sea Ducor. Looks a smart prospect, and the one to beat on form.

Form: 1

Clemencia^t¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 10-12| J: Ricky Doyle| T: B W Duke| D

7/1

Unplaced on his hurdles bow, but much improved in a tongue tie when winning a 16-runner juvenile maiden at Cork last time by 15 lengths from highly regarded Pasley. That looks decent form, and he's not taken lightly.

Form: 61

Sacchoandvanzetti³⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 10-12| J: J S McGarvey| T: J Queally| OR: 141| D

11/1

Has won both starts since a promising debut over hurdles, and defied a penalty to beat Pasley by 1¾L at Punchestown last month for latest win. Should do better still in this sphere, and dangerous to take collateral form lines literally.

Form: 511

Wolf Prince¹²

Age: 3| Weight: 10-12| J: J M Moore| T: G P Cromwell| D

8/1

Progressive on the Flat without winning, and built on a promising hurdles bow when winning a Fairyhouse maiden by 14L from Top Line Tommy. Entitled to improve again, and not ruled out.

Form: 31

Echoes In Rain^h1²²⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 10-5| J: Danny Mullins| T: W P Mullins

12/1

Improved when landing a 1m2f conditions race at Angers in May for Ludovic Gadbin. Looked to have scope for physical development there, so one to note for new yard, for all she is in at the deep end for hurdles debut. Hooded first time.

Form:

Zarkareva³⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 10-5| J: Sean Flanagan| T: H De Bromhead

25/1

Won fillies juvenile at Clairefontaine in June for Augustin Adeline De Boisbrunet, but failed to match that form when sixth of 14 to Sacchoandvanzetti in juvenile at Punchestown for new yard last month. Too soon to write her off, however.

Form: 16

Forecasts

Aspire Tower (15/8), A Wave Of The Sea (5/2), Aramax (13/2), Clemencia (7/1), Wolf Prince (8/1), Sacchoandvanzetti (11/1), Echoes In Rain (12/1), Zarkareva (25/1)

Glasgow Stakes third ASPIRE TOWER made an impressive start over hurdles at Punchestown and sets the standard, although most of the field have similarly positive profiles, and it's hard to rule any out. A Wave Of The Sea was beaten last time, but looks a solid place option, while Clemencia impressed at Cork, and is not one to underestimate.