14:55 Leopardstown

Friday 29 December 2023

All12:0012:3513:1013:4514:2014:5515:25

Timeless Sash Windows Irish EBF Novice Handicap Hurdle (80-130)

Off time: 14:55 | Winning time: 5m 20.8s

Yeats Star³⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 11-13| J: Danny Gilligan⁽⁵⁾| T: G Elliott| OR: 129

10/1

Two wins from 6 runs this season. Career best when winning 10-runner handicap hurdle at Punchestown (16.7f, soft, 5/2) 34 days ago, all out. Further progress likely and merits respect in his bid to complete the hat-trick.

Form: 443211

Sportinthepark^h²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 11-7| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: N Meade| OR: 123| D

33/1

Thrice-raced winner under Rules. 89 lengths last of 11 to Waterford Whispers in novice hurdle at Fairyhouse (19.8f, soft, 20/1) 27 days ago. Hood back on and clearly has work to do. Handicap debut.

Form: 2-510

Waterford Whispers²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Mark Walsh| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 123| D

5/2

Promising type. 4/1, won 11-runner novice hurdle at Fairyhouse (19.8f, soft) 27 days ago, suited by increase in trip. Remains unexposed and very much of interest on this handicap debut.

Form: 7-11

Western Fold²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 11-7| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 123

14/1

Lightly-raced winner under Rules. Creditable 15½ lengths fifth of 11 to Waterford Whispers in novice hurdle (8/1) at Fairyhouse (19.8f, soft) 27 days ago. Makes handicap hurdle debut.

Form: 3-3U15

Mount Sinai¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 121| D

18/1

Lightly-raced winner under Rules. 25/1, 33¾ lengths fifth of 6 to Jetara in listed hurdle at Punchestown (19.2f, heavy) 17 days ago. Step forward needed now pitched into a handicap but she couldn't be in better hands.

Form: 3315

Champagne Admiral³⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-13| J: M J M O'Sullivan| T: P A Fahy| OR: 115

12/1

Didn't need to be at best when winning 14-runner novice hurdle at Limerick (16f, heavy, 6/5) 38 days ago, pushed out. Back up in trip for this handicap debut. Not without each-way hope.

Form: 475-321

Petit King¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-10| J: J J Slevin| T: E Cawley| OR: 112

12/1

Career best when winning 17-runner handicap hurdle (14/1) at Punchestown (19.2f, heavy) 17 days ago. More needed up 7 lb but he's a strong candidate all the same.

Form: 043-551

Quarry Rocco⁴⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-9| J: Darragh O'Keeffe| T: P J Rothwell| OR: 111

33/1

Lightly-raced winner under Rules. Successful at Ballinrobe in August. 15/2, eighth of 10 in handicap hurdle at Gowran (16f, heavy) 48 days ago. Back up in trip.

Form: 1-04158

Linden Arden²⁵⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-7| J: Brian Hayes| T: W P Mullins| OR: 109

10/11

Lightly-raced maiden under Rules. 4/1, bit below form fifth of 18 in novice hurdle at Tipperary (20.2f, soft). Makes handicap debut for new yard. Paul Townend prefers Mount Sinai.

Form: 85825-

Non-Runners

Sequestered⁴²

Weight: 12-0| Age: 5

T: P J Gilligan J: J G Gilligan

Barry Lyndon¹⁴⁸

Weight: 11-7| Age: 5

T: D A McLoughlin J: C D Maxwell

Ochocinco²⁷

Weight: 11-0| Age: 5

T: Colm Murphy J: L A McKenna

Must Go Now³⁶

Weight: 10-0| Age: 6

T: E Cawley J: Sean O'Keeffe

Forecasts

Linden Arden (10/11), Waterford Whispers (5/2), Yeats Star (10/1), Champagne Admiral (12/1), Petit King (12/1), Western Fold (14/1), Must Go Now (16/1), Ochocinco (16/1), Mount Sinai (18/1), Sequestered (20/1), Barry Lyndon (20/1), Quarry Rocco (33/1), Sportinthepark (33/1)

There should be more to come from WATERFORD WHISPERS, who was strong at the finish when landing a Fairyhouse novice upped to this trip at the beginning of the month and his opening mark looks fair. Must Go Now left his maiden form well behind when third of 15 on handicap debut at Thurles and he is next on the list ahead of the hat-trick seeking Yeats Star. Petit King is also worthy of consideration.