13:20 Leopardstown

Sunday 29 December 2019

All12:1012:4513:2013:5514:3015:0515:40

Advent Insurance Irish EBF Mares Hurdle (Grade 3)

Off time: 13:20 | Winning time: 4m 59.80s

Eglantine Du Seuil⁴²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: W P Mullins| OR: 140

11/2

Prevailed in the Mares' Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival back in March. Has been unable to add to her tally in two runs since. She was third of five at Punchestown (2m2f) last time out, 4¾L behind Stormy Ireland. Is open to improvement.

Form: 1313-33

Elfile³¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Mark Walsh| T: W P Mullins| OR: 140| D

9/2

Is on a hat-trick bid here following victories at Punchestown (2m) and Thurles (2m) respectively. Stepping up in class so she may well need to improve. Can't be discounted though as there could still be more to come.

Form: 1/162-11

My Sister Sarah³¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Danny Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 137| D

6/1

Justified favourtism in a big runner handicap at Punchestown (3m) on her penultimate start. Went close to following that up last time at Thurles (2m) when she was second in a mares hurdle, ½L off the winner. Others appeal more from this yard.

Form: 2106-12

Stormy Ireland⁴²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 147

9/10

Scored for the first time in 2019 with victory in a Listed contest for mares at Punchestown (2m2f) where she finished 4L clear of the field which was headed by Black Tears. Has some good form in Grade One races last season. The one to beat.

Form: 222-261

Barra^b,t⁴²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-13| J: M A Enright| T: G Elliott| OR: 136

33/1

Has not won over hurdles since breaking her maiden at Fairyhouse (2m2f) in January 2017. She was fourth of five runners in a Listed race at Punchestown (2m2f) on her latest start. Blinkers are on for the first time. Needs to improve.

Form: 26F0F4

Black Tears^p⁴²

Age: 5| Weight: 10-13| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| OR: 133

10/1

Her sole success over hurdles came at Fairyhouse (2m) back in February in a mares maiden contest. She was 4L behind Stormy Ireland at Punchestown (2m2f) on her latest outing. Has each-way claims.

Form: 45-63P2

Grey Waters²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-13| J: J J Slevin| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 119

66/1

Dual-purpose mare who has featured over fences recently. She had just one rival behind her last time at Cork over the extended 2m trip where she was a long way off the winner. Others make a much greater appeal.

Form: 12U474

Mary Frances²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: D F O'Regan| T: M Hassett| OR: 127

20/1

Has finished second on both of her two starts this season. Her latest runner up spot came at Clonmel (3m) in a seven runner field. Stepping down in trip now. Has something to find on her rivals at this level.

Form: P/396-22

Non-Runners

Western Victory⁵⁸

Weight: 11-5| Age: 6

T: D Queally J: B J Geraghty

Forecasts

Stormy Ireland (9/10), Elfile (9/2), Eglantine Du Seuil (11/2), My Sister Sarah (6/1), Black Tears (10/1), Western Victory (12/1), Mary Frances (20/1), Barra (33/1), Grey Waters (66/1)

STORMY IRELAND was second in big Grade One races at Cheltenham and Punchestown last season and should be too good for her rivals here as she looks to follow up from her Listed success at Punchestown last time out. Eglantine Du Seuil could prove to be the biggest danger to her stablemate as the Mares' Novices' Hurdle winner is still opening to improvement and is likely to be better in her second run of the campaign, while Elfile is in great form following two consecutive wins so she should enter your calculations.