14:25 Leopardstown

Tuesday 29 December 2020

All12:0512:4013:1513:5014:2515:0015:35

Matheson Hurdle (Grade 1)

Off time: 14:25 | Winning time: 3m 56.40s

Abacadabras^t1⁴⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 158| CD

3/1

Very smart hurdler. 13/8, won 5-runner Morgiana at Punchestown (16.2f, heavy) 44 days ago by neck from the reopposing Saint Roi. Tongue strap on 1st time. Should give another good account.

Form: 1212-21

Coeur Sublime^t⁴⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Keith Donoghue| T: G O'Loughlin| OR: 152| D

18/1

Smart hurdler. First run since leaving Gordon Elliott when 6¼ lengths fourth of 5 to Abacadabras in Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown (16.2f, heavy, 22/1) 44 days ago. Difficult ask.

Form: 23/130-4

Petit Mouchoir^p¹⁵²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: B J Cooper| T: G Elliott| OR: 157| CD

28/1

Very smart hurdler. Good effort under big weight when third of 19 in Galway Hurdle (16f, good to soft, 25/1) in July. Rejoined yard after leaving Henry de Bromhead.

Form: 2235-23

Saint Roi⁴⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Mark Walsh| T: W P Mullins| OR: 157| BF| D

13/8

Very promising hurdler. 10/11, beaten a neck by Abacadabras in Morgiana at Punchestown last time but he deserves credit after being shuffled back when pace increased. Can turn the tables now.

Form: 3/511-12

Saldier⁴⁰⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 159| D

10/1

Very smart hurdler. Not seen since beating Petit Mouchoir by 1½ lengths in last year's Morgiana but that was after an absence so he's evidently capable when fresh.

Form: 1531F/1-

Sharjah^t¹⁵⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr P W Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 164| CD

11/2

High-class hurdler who is seeking a hat-trick in this race. Not seen since finishing only midfield in a Galway handicap on the Flat in July but still unlikely to give up his crown without a fight.

Form: 1B/4162-

Aspire Tower⁶⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 11-9| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 155| CD

6/1

Landed Grade 2 juvenile over C&D at this meeting last year. Improved again when accounting for Abacadabras in Down Royal in Grade 2 on reappearance, although he did enjoy the run of things from front.

Form: 11F2-1

Non-Runners

Beacon Edge³⁰

Weight: 11-12| Age: 6

T: N Meade J: Sean Flanagan

Forecasts

Saint Roi (13/8), Abacadabras (3/1), Sharjah (11/2), Aspire Tower (6/1), Saldier (10/1), Beacon Edge (16/1), Coeur Sublime (18/1), Petit Mouchoir (28/1)

Willie Mullins has dominated this over the years and has a very strong hand again. SAINT ROI wasn't seen to best effect when beaten by Abacadabras in the Morgiana and is taken to reverse the placings and confirm himself a live Champion Hurdle contender. Sharjah is seeking a hat-trick of wins in this race and should also make his presence felt.