13:05 Leopardstown

Saturday 5 February 2022

All13:0513:3514:1014:4515:1515:5016:25

Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors '50,000 Cheltenham Bonus For Stable Staff' Novice Hurdle (Grade 1)

Off time: 13:06 | Winning time: 5m 40.6s

Bronn³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins

17/2

Bumper winner (for Stuart Crawford) who made a successful debut over hurdles after 9 months off at Naas (15.8f, soft) 34 days ago, digging deep. This is much tougher, but he's entitled to progress.

Form: 1-1

Eric Bloodaxe^t1⁴⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: B J Cooper| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 135| C

7/1

Resumed winning ways upped in trip in Grade 2 hurdle at Limerick (23f, heavy) 40 days ago, by 7½ lengths from Freedom To Dream, staying on well. Tongue strap on for 1st time. Respected.

Form: 17/4-121

Freedom To Dream⁴⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: K C Sexton| T: Peter Fahey| D

28/1

Lightly-raced winner under NH rules. Very good 7½ lengths second of 10 to Eric Bloodaxe in Gr 2 hurdle (4/1) at Limerick (23f, heavy) 40 days ago. This asks for more.

Form: 32/12

Grand Jury³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead

10/3

Useful in bumpers and built on hurdling debut win when very good second of 7 in Grade 1 Lawlor's of Naas Novices' Hurdle (20f, soft) 34 days ago. Likely to progress further.

Form: 114-12

Hollow Games³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| OR: 140| C| D

9/4

Promising sort. 2 wins from 3 runs this season. Lost unbeaten record when third in Grade 1 Lawlor's of Naas Novice Hurdle last time, but remains capable of better, not least now back at 2¾m.

Form: 1/11-113

Minella Cocooner^h1⁴⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Danny Mullins| T: W P Mullins

11/1

Bumper winner who confirmed hurdling debut promise when off the mark in 16-runner maiden hurdle (30/100) at Navan (20f, good to soft) 49 days ago, comfortably. Hood on and remains open to progress.

Form: 2-121

Minella Crooner¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott

10/3

Unbeaten in bumpers and showed improved form to get off the mark at the second attempt over hurdles in 11-runner maiden at Punchestown (24.2f, heavy) 19 days ago, easily. Open to further progress.

Form: 1-1121

Non-Runners

Whatdeawant³⁴

Weight: 11-10| Age: 6

T: W P Mullins J:

Forecasts

Hollow Games (9/4), Minella Crooner (10/3), Grand Jury (10/3), Whatdeawant (5/1), Eric Bloodaxe (7/1), Bronn (17/2), Minella Cocooner (11/1), Freedom To Dream (28/1)

HOLLOW GAMES emerged with plenty of credit despite losing his unbeaten record in the Lawlor's of Naas Novice Hurdle last time and remains capable of better, especially now stepping back up in trip, so he's an appealing candidate. Whatdeawant shaped better than the bare result in the same race and is worth another chance, with Grand Jury and Eric Bloodaxe also respected.