Red Mills Trial Hurdle (Grade 3)

Off time: 14:17 | Winning time: 4m 24.2s

Sharjah^t⁵¹

Age: 10| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr P W Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 158| CD

4/7

Possible he isn't quite the force of old at the age of 10 but he's still achieved enough in his 2 outings this term to make him the one to beat here.

Form: 22/11-23

Fil Dor^t¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Jordan Gainford| T: G Elliott| OR: 147| D

4/1

Smart hurdler. Won a maiden chase at Navan in November but has come short at Grade 1 level over fences twice since and now reverts to hurdles. The chief threat to Sharjah if close to his best.

Form: 22-2135

Da Capo Glory²⁹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: Mr Darragh Allen| T: Padraig Butler| CD

8/1

C&D maiden winner on hurdle debut last March and really useful effort when third in a novice at Punchestown 7 weeks later. This no easy task on return from 9 months off but there should be more to come from him.

Form: 35/1713-

Doctor Bravo²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: D F O'Regan| T: G Elliott| D

6/1

Bumper winner in December. Runner-up on Leopardstown hurdle debut over Chrsitmas and duly went one better at Down Royal 29 days later. Capable of better.

Form: 121

Jimli's Glory^p⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: C P McNamara| T: R K Watson| OR: 81

300/1

Poor maiden who is out of his depth here.

Form: 50800U

Takarengo^p¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: D E Mullins| T: T Mullins| OR: 116| D

40/1

Fairly useful hurdler. 20/1, creditable sixth of 17 in handicap hurdle at Leopardstown (24f, good to soft) 14 days ago. Significantly back down in trip. Has something to find at this level.

Form: 7-34726

Forecasts

Sharjah (4/7), Fil Dor (4/1), Doctor Bravo (6/1), Da Capo Glory (8/1), Takarengo (40/1), Jimli's Glory (300/1)

SHARJAH's 2 efforts this year suggest he may not be quite up to it at Grade 1 level nowadays but he's still really smart and should take a bit of stopping with his sights lowered. Gordon Elliott pair Fil Dor, who returns to hurdles after a slightly disappointing run at the recent Dublin Racing Festival, and Doctor Bravo can give him most to think about.