14:17 Fairyhouse

Saturday 22 February 2020

All13:4514:1714:5215:2716:0216:3717:12

Norman Colfer Winning Fair Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 3)

Off time: 14:17 | Winning time: 4m 20.80s

Bajan Excell²³

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Mark Walsh| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 129| D

11/2

Former Flat winner gained a second hurdles success latest (both wins at Limerick) when winning a soft to heavy ground handicap with plenty in hand off 120. Upped in class but won't be out of his depth.

Form: 3U131

Battle Of Wills²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| D

11/4

89-rated handicapper on the Flat for James Tate made a most pleasing start over hurdles when landing a Naas maiden last month having travelled supremely well. Ground a slight concern but leading player for yard which won this in 2017 and 2018.

Form: 1

Gamin Original²⁸⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins

4/1

French import who won his second start in the stewards room back in May. Hard to get a handle on that form but first string of the champion trainer based on jockey bookings so every chance he proves above average.

Form: 21

Great Bear⁷⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Darragh O'Keeffe| T: T Gibney

40/1

81-rated Flat performer who won twice for Roger Charlton. Didn't run to that level on stable debut at Dundalk however and this a tall order on hurdles bow.

Form:

Van Meegeren²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: C J Orr| T: N Slevin

33/1

Poor efforts on the Flat for Jack Davison this year before a dismal run on hurdling debut at Gowran Park led to 100/1 odds at Naas last time out but he went down by just ½L in second. This needs another big step up but there's hope now.

Form: P2

Anna Bunina^t²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 10-7| J: D J McInerney| T: J C McConnell

8/1

86-rated four-time Flat scorer ran really well in Listed £20k Scottish Triumph at Musselburgh on hurdles debut 20 days ago. Ought to improve on that and certainly not ignored today.

Form: 3

Burning Victory²⁶⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 10-7| J: Danny Mullins| T: W P Mullins

7/1

One of four representatives for the champion trainer, she was successful over 1m4f at Chantilly before coming unstuck in Group 3. Rated 94 so has genuine ability and yard's record with French imports makes her a real contender.

Form:

Georgette Fun⁸⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 10-7| J: R M Power| T: Mrs J Harrington

14/1

French import won her third and most recent hurdle race over 2m2f at Fontainebleau on heavy ground before joining top Irish yard. Could easily make presence felt today.

Form: 631

Gjoumi^h1³¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 10-7| J: Brian Hayes| T: W P Mullins

16/1

Irish debut for filly who won only start in France when taking a 1m4f Lyon Parilly bumper early last year. Looks one of the less fancied of the Mullins quartet based on jockey bookings.

Form: 1-

Hook Up^t1³²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 10-7| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: W P Mullins

11/2

Filly by crack NH sire No Risk At All landed a Compiegne race in lone Flat score of four races. Joined all conquering connections but jockey bookings suggest she may be yard third string today.

Form:

Forecasts

Battle Of Wills (11/4), Gamin Original (4/1), Hook Up (11/2), Bajan Excell (11/2), Burning Victory (7/1), Anna Bunina (8/1), Georgette Fun (14/1), Gjoumi (16/1), Van Meegeren (33/1), Great Bear (40/1)

Willie Mullins runs four here and the fact that none of them have run for the master of Closutton rather clouds the picture. Stable jockey Paul Townend will presumably have sat on most of them at home so the fact that he rides GAMIN ORIGINAL is reason enough to chance him. Mullins' arch-rival Gordon Elliott has a fine team of novice hurdlers and his Battle Of Wills who won his first hurdle race at Naas could provide the biggest stumbling block. Useful Flat performer Burning Victory looks Mullins second string but it would be no surprise should she actually prove the best of the Closutton four.