13:50 Leopardstown

Friday 28 December 2018

All12:1012:4513:2013:5014:2515:0015:35

Squared Financial Christmas Hurdle (Grade 1)

Off time: 13:52 | Winning time: 6m 1.10s

1^st

Apple's Jade

611-3

8/13f

T: G ElliottJ: Jack Kennedy

Made all, 4-length advantage halfway, left well clear 2 out, pushed out before last, kept on strongly, easily op 4/6

2^nd

Early Doors

511-10

22/1

T: J P O'BrienJ: Mark Walsh

Held up, 6th halfway, moderate 4th before 2 out where left 3rd, soon ridden and no impression, stayed on into 2nd run-in, no chance with winner op 33/1

3^rd

3 ¼

Bapaume

511-10

8/1

T: W P MullinsJ: N D Fehily

Held up in rear, progress into moderate 3rd 3 out, left 2nd 2 out, soon ridden and no impression on leader, mistake last, lost 2nd run-in op 14/1

4^th

6 ½

Jezki

1011-10

25/1

T: Mrs J HarringtonJ: B J Geraghty

Held up early, moderate 4th halfway, ridden and no impression before 2 out, soon no extra op 20/1

5^th

Shaneshill

911-10

33/1

T: W P MullinsJ: D J Mullins

Held up behind leaders, moderate 5th halfway, towards rear 4 out, no extra next, weakened 2 out

6^th

Cracking Smart

611-10

10/1

T: G ElliottJ: D N Russell

Settled behind leaders, soon moderate 3rd, dropped towards rear 3 out, soon no extra and weakened, tailed off op 14/1

Also Ran

Faugheen

1011-10

7/2

T: W P MullinsJ: Ruby Walsh

Chased leader in 2nd, slight mistake 5th, fell heavily 2 out op 11/4

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Betting Breakdown

Tote Win:€1.50Pl:€1.02, €6.40EX:€13.70Trifecta:€51.50SF:€18.04

Forecasts

Apple's Jade (8/13), Faugheen (7/2), Bapaume (8/1), Cracking Smart (10/1), Early Doors (22/1), Jezki (25/1), Shaneshill (33/1)

Last year's winner Apple's Jade looked better ever when winning that Hatton's Grace at Fairyhouse on her reappearance. She scrambled to win this contest a year ago and it remains to be seen if the trip sees her to best effect. At the prices, it might be worth siding with FAUGHEEN to turn her over. He was superb at Punchestown on his only try over this trip and the Morgiana showed plenty ability, if a little less speed, remains in his armoury. A year on from his nadir at this track, he could sparkle once more. It would prove a letdown if something else wins, but Bapaume and Cracking Smart may be best-placed to take any crumbs offered down.

Faugheen
Apple's Jade
Bapaume

Previous Winners

2017

Apple's Jade

Weight: 11-3 |Age: 5

J: D N Russell | T: G Elliott

4/6

Prize Money

1st: €59,000.002nd: €19,000.003rd: €9,000.004th: €4,000.005th: €2,000.006th: €1,000.00