14:13 Gowran Park

Thursday 23 January 2025

All13:0313:3814:1314:4815:2315:5816:28

John Mulhern Galmoy Hurdle (Grade 2)

Off time: 14:13 | Winning time: 6m 45.90s

Hiddenvalley Lake³³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: Darragh O'Keeffe| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 154| D

7/4

Lightly-raced hurdler (smart form) who was placed in Grade 1 company at Aintree in the spring and repeated the feat when runner-up in the Long Walk at Ascot (24.4f) 33 days ago, that despite run of the race not really going his way. High on shortlist here.

Form: 28/F13-2

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Asterion Forlonge^t²⁶

Age: 11| Weight: 11-3| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 154| D

5/1

Very smart chaser who ran well when second in Grade 1 Stayers' Hurdle at Punchestown in May. Looked after when chance had gone when sixth of 8 to Home By The Lee in Christmas Hurdle on return at Leopardstown (23.4f, good) 26 days ago and better showing anticipated here.

Form: 52612-6

Buddy One²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: J G Gilligan| T: P J Gilligan| OR: 153| D

11/1

Smart hurdler. 11/1, 19 lengths third of 4 to Croke Park in Fort Leney Novices' Chase at Leopardstown (24.4f, good to soft) 28 days ago. Not discounted returned to these smaller obstacles.

Form: 24-1343

Franciscan Rock^p,t⁵¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: Gavin Brouder| T: M F Morris| OR: 145| D

12/1

Useful hurdler. 11/4, didn't need to improve to win 4-runner minor event hurdle at Clonmel (24f, soft) 51 days ago by 3½ lengths from Sandor Clegane. This demands another jolt of improvement upped in class.

Form: 56-3611

Kalanisi Star⁶³⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: Phillip Enright| T: O McKiernan| OR: 128| C| D

100/1

Lightly-raced winner under NH rules. 50/1 and tongue strap on for 1st time, very good 19¾ lengths fifth of 9 to Gaelic Warrior in War of Attrition Novices' Hurdle at Punchestown (23.8f, good to soft) in spring 2023. This looks a tough ask back from 21 months off.

Form: 111575/

Maxxum²⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: Sam Ewing| T: G Elliott| OR: 149| D

9/1

Smart hurdler who bounced back to best when good fourth of 20 in handicap hurdle at Leopardstown (19.8f, good, 40/1) 25 days ago. Back up in trip. Progressing recently.

Form: F1-P844

Rocky's Diamond²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: Shane Fitzgerald| T: D Queally| OR: 145| CD

5/1

Lightly-raced winner over hurdles. C&D winner. 1 win from 3 runs this season. Excellent 9¼ lengths third of 8 to Home By The Lee in Christmas Hurdle (66/1) at Leopardstown (23.4f, good) 26 days ago.

Form: 01-513

Sandor Clegane^b,t²⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: Sean O'Keeffe| T: P Nolan| OR: 143

11/2

Smart chaser. 8/1 and blinkered for 1st time, creditable 13½ lengths fourth of 8 to Home By The Lee in Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown (23.4f, good) 26 days ago, unable to sustain effort. Needs to pull out more.

Form: 2244-24

Thedevilscoachman^t²⁹⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-3| J: Mark Walsh| T: N Meade| OR: 149

28/1

Smart hurdler. Tongue strap on for 1st time, well-beaten third of 4 to Brewin'upastorm in Ballybin Hurdle (5/2) at Fairyhouse (20.2f, heavy). Off 9 months. Back up in trip. Others more persuasive.

Form: 1P/7243-

Non-Runners

Beacon Edge²⁶

Weight: 11-8| Age: 11

T: G Elliott J: Danny Gilligan

Forecasts

Hiddenvalley Lake (7/4), Rocky's Diamond (5/1), Asterion Forlonge (5/1), Sandor Clegane (11/2), Maxxum (9/1), Buddy One (11/1), Franciscan Rock (12/1), Beacon Edge (16/1), Thedevilscoachman (28/1), Kalanisi Star (100/1)

Third in Grade 1 company at Aintree in the spring, HIDDENVALLEY LAKE ran right up to his best after 8 months off when runner-up in the Long Walk at Ascot, that despite the race not really going his way. Still low-mileage as an 8-y-o, he can confirm the promise of that run and come out on top, with veteran Asterion Forlonge and Buddy One fancied to pose the chief threats.