12:48 Down Royal

Sunday 26 December 2021

All12:1312:4813:2313:5814:3315:0315:35

Connolly's RED MILLS Irish EBF Auction Maiden Hurdle

Off time: 12:49 | Winning time: 4m 37.4s

1^st

O'Toole

511-12

4/9f

T: S R B CrawfordJ: J J Slevin

Tracked leaders, 5th halfway, closer and pressed leader entering straight, disputed 3 out and soon led, pressed briefly 2 out, pushed out to assert before last, kept on strongly run-in, comfortably tchd 1/2

2^nd

7 ½

Daring Rocco

512-0

40/1

T: M BrassilJ: C Brassil (5)

Chased leader, 2nd halfway, ridden in 4th entering straight, no impression in 3rd before 2 out, stayed on into 2nd run-in, no chance with winner op 33/1

3^rd

1 ¼

I Don't Get It

711-10

18/1

T: N McCluskeyJ: N J Ryan (7)

Led, 5-lengths clear after 4th, reduced advantage 4 out, pressed entering straight, headed after 3 out, ridden to press leader briefly 2 out, no extra before last, kept on one pace op 28/1 tchd 33/1

4^th

Free Nelson

611-10

5/1

T: G ElliottJ: D F O'Regan

Held up early, mid-division halfway, progress into 5th entering straight, slight mistake 3 out, no extra in 4th before 2 out, slight mistake last op 10/3

5^th

Helisone

411-7

5/1

T: H De BromheadJ: Mike O'Connor (5)

Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, pressed leader entering straight, 3rd and slight mistake 3 out, soon ridden, no extra in 5th before 2 out, kept on one pace op 15/2

6^th

2 ¼

Billable Grant

411-10

66/1

T: C A McBratneyJ: C D Maxwell

Held up towards rear, mistake 1st, 9th entering straight, ridden 3 out, soon no impression, kept on one pace op 50/1

7^th

Layla's Daffodil

511-3

10/1

T: P J RothwellJ: J P O'Sullivan (5)

Held up towards rear, progress into 6th entering straight, ridden 3 out, soon no impression, slight mistake last tchd 11/1

8^th

Flashthelights

511-10

125/1

T: S McConvilleJ: Mr M McConville (7)

Mid-division, ridden in 6th entering straight, no impression 3 out, soon no extra op 50/1

9^th

Harvey Hillstar

411-10

150/1

T: Gary McGillJ: Sam Ewing (3)

Chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden before straight, weakened before 3 out op 100/1

Also Ran

Away Down Under

411-3

50/1

T: N C KellyJ: P J Cawley (7)

Always towards rear, ridden and no extra 4 out, weakened and pulled up before next

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Non-Runners

Kilcarthy Boy⁶⁶

Weight: 11-10| Age: 5

T: K Smith J: Ricky Doyle

Betting Breakdown

Tote Win:£1.45Pl:£1.02, £7.20, £2.80EX:£34.20Trifecta:£440.00SF:£31.03

Forecasts

O'Toole (4/9), Free Nelson (5/1), Helisone (5/1), Layla's Daffodil (10/1), I Don't Get It (18/1), Daring Rocco (40/1), Away Down Under (50/1), Kilcarthy Boy (50/1), Billable Grant (66/1), Flashthelights (125/1), Harvey Hillstar (150/1)

The ones with experience don't set an exacting standard and O'TOOLE looks a fascinating contender now sent hurdling. He was one of the best bumper horses around last season and he could take high rank amongst this season's novice hurdlers. Free Nelson sets the standard and has the potential for better still, so is feared most, ahead of newcomer Helisone, who needs monitoring in the market.

O'TOOLE (IRE)
FREE NELSON
HELISONE (FR)

Previous Winners

2020

Russian Diamond

Weight: 11-10 |Age: 5

J: M P Fogarty | T: E Mullins

5/4

Prize Money

1st: €12,000.002nd: €4,000.003rd: €2,000.004th: €1,000.005th: €600.006th: €400.00