13:15 Down Royal

Tuesday 24 January 2023

All12:4013:1513:5014:2515:0015:3516:10

Franciscan Well Rated Novice Hurdle

Off time: 13:15 | Winning time: 4m 17.60s

An Mhi²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-13| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott

3/1

Thrice-raced maiden. Second of 21 in minor event hurdle (3/1) at Fairyhouse (20.1f, heavy) 23 days ago. May have more to offer for top stable. Considered.

Form: 42-F22

Caldwell Diamond^t⁶²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-13| J: Jordan Gainford| T: G Elliott| OR: 122| BF

16/1

Fairly useful hurdler. 1 win from 3 runs this season. Tenth of 13 in novice hurdle at Hereford (19.7f, soft, 10/11) 62 days ago, folding. Others are preferred.

Form: 522-410

Champella⁸⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-13| J: Mr T P Harney⁽⁷⁾| T: R O'Sullivan| C

10/1

Course winner. 3 wins from 6 runs this season. Career best when winning 6-runner minor event hurdle at Wexford (20.7f, heavy, 6/1) 86 days ago. Likely capable of better again. Leading claims.

Form: 213131

L'or Des Roses³⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: B W Harvey⁽⁵⁾| T: D Harvey| OR: 119| BF

20/1

Fairly useful hurdler. Latest win in hurdle at Thurles in November. Fourth of 6 in minor event hurdle (9/4) at Thurles (23f, good to soft) 37 days ago. Down in trip. Others more persuasive.

Form: 342114

Fameaftertheglory^b1,t1¹⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Keith Donoghue| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 118

9/1

Fairly useful hurdler/chaser. 22/1, below form seventh of 12 in handicap hurdle at Fairyhouse (24f, heavy) 10 days ago. Down in trip. Blinkers on 1st time, tongue strap on 1st time.

Form: 4-638U7

Clonshire River²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Ricky Doyle| T: E & P Harty

5/1

Twice-raced maiden. 16/1, third of 21 in maiden hurdle at Leopardstown (16f, soft) 29 days ago. May well do better. Respected.

Form: 1-43

Kashi²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Donagh Meyler| T: K Thornton| OR: 116

16/1

Fairly useful hurdler. 2 wins from 3 runs this season. Career best when winning 11-runner handicap hurdle (12/1) at Fairyhouse (16f, heavy) 23 days ago, all out. Not taken lightly.

Form: F22-101

The Gradual Slope²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Cian Quirke⁽⁷⁾| T: S O O'Brien| OR: 116

7/2

Fairly useful hurdler. 1 win from 3 runs this season. Creditable sixth of 12 in handicap hurdle (13/2) at Leopardstown (20f, soft) 26 days ago. Has good chance on form.

Form: U35-416

Marelly²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: R Deegan| T: E McCarthy| OR: 113

9/2

Fair hurdler. Evens, career best when winning 6-runner minor event hurdle at Limerick (16f, heavy) 26 days ago, finding extra. Getting better with each recent run.

Form: 062211

Forecasts

An Mhi (3/1), The Gradual Slope (7/2), Marelly (9/2), Clonshire River (5/1), Fameaftertheglory (9/1), Champella (10/1), Kashi (16/1), Caldwell Diamond (16/1), L'or Des Roses (20/1)

A tight race. There's likely more to come from CHAMPELLA so she gets the nod to make it 3-4 over hurdles for the Ross O'Sullivan team. Like the selection, An Mhi and Clonshire River are low-mileage types who could have more to come and they head the dangers.