13:40 Leopardstown

Sunday 2 February 2025

All12:4013:1013:4014:1014:4515:2015:5016:25

Tattersalls Ireland Novice Hurdle (Grade 1)

Off time: 13:41 | Winning time: 3m 59.90s

Bleu De Vassy³⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Sam Ewing| T: G Elliott| OR: 139| D

13/2

Took 4 attempts to strike in bumpers but looked good prospect when winning first 2 starts over hurdles, including Grade 3 at Navan in November. Ran well behind stablemate Romeo Coolio in Future Champions Novices' Hurdle at this C&D (good) last time and he could be in the mix.

Form: 241-112

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Eastern Legend^p,t³⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Keith Donoghue| T: J S Bolger| OR: 134| C

33/1

Useful winner on the Flat and has matched that level over hurdles, though still looking for his first victory in this sphere. Good effort when third in Future Champions Novices' Hurdle over C&D last time, but he faces another tough ask in this contest.

Form: 85-4223

Good And Clever³⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: J Bowen| T: W Greatrex| OR: 134| D

16/1

Made a very promising start to his career in bumpers, winning convincingly at Warwick before third in Grade 2 at Aintree. Much improved from hurdling debut when third in Formby Novices' Hurdle back at Aintree (17f, soft) on Boxing Day, though will need to find more again.

Form: 13-23

Kaid D'authie³⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Mark Walsh| T: W P Mullins| C

9/2

Having made debut in France, was strong in the betting on first start for W. P. Mullins after 20-month absence but fell at the fifth at Navan in December. However, he gained compensation in maiden at this course (19.8f, good) 3 weeks later and he's open to further improvement.

Form: 5/F1

Karafon³⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: J J Slevin| T: W P Mullins| OR: 132

33/1

French recruit who has shown fairly useful form for current yard, returning from 11 months off when opening his account at Clonmel in December. Ran to similar level when fourth in Future Champions Novices' Hurdle at this C&D 37 days ago, but he has something to find.

Form: 35-14

Karniquet³⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr P W Mullins| T: W P Mullins| D

16/1

Runner-up both outings in France and made perfect start for current connections when forging clear for success in a Tramore maiden in November. Bad mistake at the second when well beaten in Future Champions Novices' Hurdle here last time, so he remains capable of better.

Form: 22-15

Kopek Des Bordes³⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| CD

4/5

Created a very good impression when winning a Fairyhouse bumper and, after 9 months off, made a successful start over hurdles in maiden at this C&D (good) in December, form boosted by the runner-up scoring next time. Leading contender with progress to come.

Form: 1-1

Redemption Day^h³⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Danny Mullins| T: W P Mullins| BF| CD

12/1

Smart bumper performer who followed up his Fairyhouse success last April in Grade 1 at Punchestown the following month. After 8 months off, possibly needed the run when fourth of 17 in maiden at this C&D (good) on hurdling debut, so he could show much more this time around.

Form: 2/2311-4

Sea Of Sands^h1,t1³⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Brian Hayes| T: W P Mullins| D

33/1

Group 3 winner on Flat in Germany and, after over 2 years off, made a winning stable/hurdling debut at Listowel in September. Better form when third in Grade 2 at Fairyhouse in December, though pulled up at the highest level here last time. Hood/tongue strap now applied.

Form: 13P

Whinney Hill³⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Danny Gilligan| T: G Elliott| D

40/1

Confirmed debut promise when winning bumper at Navan in November and encouragement sent hurdling when 6¾ lengths third of 23 to Kopek Des Bordes in maiden at this C&D (good) 38 days ago. However, he has work to do to reverse the form from last time.

Form: 2-213

Forecasts

Kopek Des Bordes (4/5), Kaid D'authie (9/2), Bleu De Vassy (13/2), Redemption Day (12/1), Karniquet (16/1), Good And Clever (16/1), Sea Of Sands (33/1), Karafon (33/1), Eastern Legend (33/1), Whinney Hill (40/1)

KOPEK DES BORDES has looked an exciting prospect when winning both starts so far, getting the better of Kawaboomga (succcesful on his next outing) at this C&D on his hurdling debut last time, so he is taken to provide Willie Mullins with a seventh consecutive victory in this race. Stablemate Kaid d'Authie is next on the list, ahead of Bleu de Vassy.