WILLIE Mullins has clearly stated that this horse is probably at her best in quicker summer conditions, but she won a listed mares’ hurdle in October on heavy going over a further distance. This is a much better field but, conditions should keep the race from being too fast, whilst the level of opposition should also see an injection of pace before the straight. If she can replicate the relatively strong travelling speed on similar testing ground conditions and clean jumping she should be in the picture late. Grade three would probably be the limit for this horse. Mullins’ mare has drifted in the market and her price allows for an each way punt and is probably a big part of the appeal.
THIS would make it a hattrick of victories in the Silver Vase for Nigel Twiston-Davies’ mare. She would probably prefer more cut in the ground but has won this race when the going was good before. She was at her best in her previous start when running out a 17-length winner at Aintree in a listed mares’ chase on heavy ground. Her ability over fences and engine came to the fore. This win came ahead of Pink Legend who also runs here. The alternative pick on good ground would probably be Fantastic Lady who has form over Zambella from a listed mares’ chase at Market Rasen last year. She has since been unsuccessful in four starts against tougher fields than this with two places. Her last run was in the Grand Sefton at Aintree 35 days ago, and it was a tough race over the famous Aintree fences whilst carrying top weight. Her route to this race may have been tougher on her than the route Zambella has been on, who picked up a win in her last start which is also important. Fantastic Lady must be considered and could very easily win herself, but something about this race has suited Zambella in the last two years, which is why she just edges this pick.
IF Favori De Champdou can replicate his last run, it will take a mighty effort to beat him. He tracked a free-running Flooring Porter and put in an excellent round of jumping. Flooring Porter set his usual frantic gallop from the front and was quirky in front occasionally wondering across the course before being corrected. Favori De Champdou would have been forgiven for tiring after the fast pace but he didn’t. He naturally travelled past Flooring Porter late on and, despite being clear, kicked on and finished emphatically. That race was not only an important piece of form, but was probably the most testing previous run of any of the horses in this race. He passed the test with flying colours and could be the nap of the day, with the only concerns will be his lack of runs on left-handed tracks and a possibility of Flooring Porter finding his old spark.
14:05 Limerick – Parkway Shopping Centre Rated Novice Hurdle – Splashing Out
CURRENTLY joint favourite at the top of the market with Henry de Bromhead’s mare She’s A Fine Wine. There isn’t a lot of form that catches the eye in this race but the two market leaders both boast a win over course and distance on heavy going this season. This horse is carrying 7lb claimer Peter Smithers, whilst 3lb claimer Mike O’Connor takes the ride on She’s A Fine Wine. Therefore, this horse, despite carrying 12 stone, is effectively 4lbs better off than her rating when compared to her rival. She carried the same weight to victory last time out at Limerick. Meanwhile, She’s a fine Wine carried 11 stone 7lbs in her win in October over course and distance in the same conditions. Her run was three seconds slower than this horse managed.
13:50 Leopardstown – Jack De Bromhead Christmas Hurdle – Irish Point
GORDON Elliot’s grey capped off last season with a grade one win at Aintree in the Mersey Novices’ Hurdle. This came ahead of the likes of Hermes Allen and You Wear It Well who were successful grade-winning hurdlers. The way he ran through the line after a trip of two miles and four furlongs suggested this horse would get three miles. He made his seasonal debut at Gowran Park last month over a trip of two miles, finishing 13/4 lengths ahead of Magical Zoe who has success at grade three level and was carrying 13lbs less. Whilst the rest of the field here are more established at the distance but this horse may have speed the others don’t have and this would make it four wins in a row.
THIS horse has a glittering record so far in his career, with 10 wins from 11 starts and the only defeat coming by a short head to The Real Whacker at Cheltenham earlier this year. He has won four grade ones over fences and has extraordinary battling qualities in the closing stages. With two Gold Cup winners, a former winner of this race in the shape of Conflated and an Irish Grand National winner in I Am Maximus, this will undoubtedly be the toughest field he has faced on paper. He missed the King George VI Chase on Boxing Day due to a lack of rain specifically to run here. This is a horse with a lot of ability whose career has been thoughtfully plotted so far, so his inclusion in the field warrants great interest.
LAST season’s Champion Chase runner-up impressed late last month when making his seasonal debut in a grade two contest at Navan. He ran out a seven length winner ahead of Riviere D’etel, with Dysart Dynamo and grade one winner over fences Saint Roi in behind. Dysart Dynamo set a decent pace and this horse appeared to have a lot left in the tank at the finish. In that run he only carried 2lbs less than he will in this race, which should provide confidence in his ability to give away weight to Dinoblue who will carry 7lbs less. He will only have to reproduce form ahead of Saint Roi and Dysart Dynamo, with the latter carrying 11lbs more here than he did at Navan. Gentleman De Mee in that case remains the only horse left to assess and he normally doesn’t hit form until February or March. Captain Guinness is a consistent performer who finished the runner-up in this race last season behind Blue Lord, who won’t run here. Racing is almost never simple but this horse appears the most likely winner for these reasons.
13:45Leopardstown – Paddy Power Future Champions Novice Hurdle (Grade 1) – Daddy Long Legs
THIS horse won his maiden in his second start at Thurles at the end of last month by an impressive 13 lengths. The Willie Mullins trained Almanzor gelding was bought for €210,000, after finishing a close second on the flat in France. His maiden performance over hurdles couldn’t have been more impressive, despite some regularly placed runners in behind, who on form are struggling to get rid of their maiden tag. Down Memory Lane also looks like a smart prospect but this horse gets the pick because when comparing both of their previous starts, Daddy Long Legs appeared to face a more testing pace and showed good jumping ability which will be needed in a grade one race. At the time of writing this horse has also gained favouritism over his market rival and it would be no surprise to see him justify his place in the market.
AFTER Haddex Des Obeaux wasn’t declared in the final stage of declarations so Boothill appears to be the obvious pick here, despite being near the top of the weights. Boothill is one of two runners in this field who has had recent winning form, with the other being Elixir De Nutz. Boothill’s form seems a tad more impressive, considering last month he beat a consistent performer and grade one winner in First Flow, before finishing ahead first ahead of Triple Trade at Ascot. Triple Trade, although hasn’t won at graded level, won a smart handicap in his next run. Boothill should be primed to take on Nube Negra and Editeur Du Gite, who have won impressive grade-level races in their career but haven’t been near their best form recently.
Won the grade one Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown and the grade one Aintree Hurdle last season. The latter was ahead of subsequent grade two winner Buzz, who won the Coral Hurdle at Ascot this season. In behind was Former Champion Hurdle winner, Buveur D’air and grade one winner over two miles, Silver Streak. Despite there being a sedate pace in the first half of the race, this is strong form. His trainer, Gordon Elliot, hopes that a step up to three miles will suit this horse’s strong travelling ability. He was last seen finishing 12 lengths 3rd to a rampant Honeysuckle over 21/2 miles in the Hatton’s Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse last month and his ability makes him competitive in most fields. He doesn’t tend to work hard once in front.
2. Commander Of Fleet
Jockey: B J Cooper
Trainer: G Elliott
Form: 001-5F1
7yoB Gelding
OR: 152
Wgt: 11st 12lbs b
Was the runner up in the 2019 Albert Bartlett, 2 lengths behind eventual Gold Cup winner, Minella Indo. Last seen when victorious over three miles at Navan earlier this month, where Burning Victory was a distant 16th. He carried top weight but with it was a handicap so this represents a step up. It was his 3rd run this season and the other two were less successful. 5th of six runners to 2019 Cesarewitch winner Stratum at Thurles and fell when two from home in a handicap last month. Wears blinkers again here.
3. Flooring Porter
Jockey: D E Mullins
Trainer: G P Cromwell
Form: 2111P-F
6yoB Gelding
OR: 164
Wgt: 11st 12lbs t
Winner of this race last season where Sire Du Berlais finished 6 lengths behind in 3rd. Since winning the Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham in March, Flooring porter has failed to complete his next two starts. He was pulled up in the Punchestown Stayers’ Hurdle in April, behind eventual winner Klassical Dream. This came after some messy jumping and his stamina quickly emptied when approaching the straight. In his seasonal reappearance in the grade two Lismullen Hurdle at Navan, he guessed at the 2nd last and fell when fighting for the lead. This came after a strong tendency to jump left throughout. Here he will Face Klassical dream again, but trainer Gavin Cromwell is hopeful that course form will count and reports that the champion is in good health.
4. Grand Roi
Jockey: D N Russell
Trainer: G Elliott
Form: 1/3120-3
5yoB Gelding
OR: 147
Wgt: 11st 12lbs
Finished 3rd in the grade two Lismullen Hurdle over 21/2 miles in November behind eventual winner Darasso. He was head to head with Flooring Porter when his opponent fell. Sire Du Berlais finished 11/2 lengths ahead of this horse in 2nd and will go again in this race. Last season Grand Roi moved from Nicky Henderson’s ownership and Seven Barrows to be trained by Gordon Elliott. His best result over hurdles came in the grade two Grant Thornton Hurdle at Limerick in December last year. He also picked up a respectable 2nd place finish in a grade three contest. Both of these came over the distance of two miles. Although he showed some progression last season, he has never run over the three mile distance and Gordon Elliott has acknowledged that when talking to the Racing Post. He also hopes his charge will improve with his first run of the season under his belt.
5. Klassical Dream
Jockey: P Townend
Trainer: W P Mullins
Form: 11135/1-
7yoB Gelding
OR: 164
Wgt: 11st 12lbs h
Made an outstanding comeback, after 16 months away from the racecourse, when winning the grade one Ladbrokes Champion Hurdle in April. Flooring Porter pulled up and Ronald Pump could only finish 3rd, 12 lengths behind the eventual winner. The change in distance and the application of a hood appeared to transform this horse, after finishing a disappointing last of five in the Matheson Hurdle at Leopardstown in December 2019. He won three grade ones at novice level over two miles. Mullins appeared to have got the best out of this horse again, but over three miles last time out. He comes into this race fresh, making his seasonal debut, which also might have been a factor in such an impressive victory. Connections are hopeful he can repeat most recent form. His Jockey, Paul Townend, also comes into the race with eight wins from 16 starts. Jockey and stable in form.
6. Mr Adjudicator
Jockey: J B Foley
Trainer: W P Mullins
Form: 28P171/
7yoB Gelding
OR: 154
Wgt: 11st 12lbs
Hasn’t been seen on a racecourse in 879 days, where he won on the flat at Galway. At his best was a grade one winner as a juvenile. Also won a grade two ahead of smart grade one winner Bapaume in France in 2019. There is no clear explanation for the long absence. Klassical Dream, who also runs here, is proof a Mullins horse can come on well after a long period off the racecourse. Tornado Flyer’s heroics in the King George VI two days ago also tells us how well a Mullins outsider can do. However, Mullins has said it could be a tough ask for this runner.
7. Ronald Pump
Jockey: K M Donoghue
Trainer: Matthew J Smith
Form: F23-525
8yoCH Gelding
OR: 156
Wgt: 11st 12lbs t
Cheltenham Stayers’ Hurdle runner-up in 2020. Often puts in a brave effort, finishing in the places behind top class opposition. He has finished 2nd in four grade one contests. Last seen finishing 15 lengths 5th to Champ in the grade one Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot ten days ago. This came after a brave effort finishing 8 lengths 2nd to unbeaten Honeysuckle, over the shorter distance of 21/2 miles. He was still 41/4 lengths ahead of Abacadabras and a mile ahead of Saldier in 5th. Both are runners he will face again here. In that run he set a rapid pace from the front. Trainer Keith Donoghue stated that the blinkers made him too keen at Ascot so they have been removed this time around.
8. Saldier
Jockey: B Hayes
Trainer: W P Mullins
Form: 678-115
7yoB Gelding
OR: 162
Wgt: 11st 12lbs
Last grade one victory was in 2019. Was kept busy over the summer when picking up a win on the flat and has already picked up a grade three over hurdles this season. This came at Tipperary where he finished 3 lengths ahead of previously mentioned Darasso. This form was reversed recently in the Hatton’s Grace Hurdle when finishing 5th to winner Honeysuckle. He finished a long way behind Ronald Pump (2nd), Abacadabras (3rd) and 21/2 lengths behind Darasso (4th). Mullins has reported that Saldier took a knock going down before that run however, so this form might not reflect accurately. His only run over three miles came a long way 8th in the Ladbrokes Champion Stayers’ Hurdle in April where Klassical Dream cruised to victory. Mullins believes he could still be effective at this distance. Runs without cheekpieces this time.
9. Sams Profile
Jockey: A Coleman
Trainer: M F Morris
Form: 52/F31-0
7yoB Gelding
OR: 152
Wgt: 11st 12lbs
Last seen finishing 10th of 11 runners in a beginners chase at Galway in October. Form over hurdles reads more promising however, with two placing efforts at grade one as a novice. He also picked up a grade two over hurdles at Gowran Park in January, 16 lengths ahead of Darasso in 4th, who appears a useful reference point here in the form. This run came over a distance of three miles on heavy going. A hood was also applied here for the first time but it has been taken off after the unsuccessful effort over fences. That victory came last season after he fell over fences at Thurles in November. He picked up a fractured rib which bruised his lungs. Somehow the injury went undetected and he actually ran WITHthat injury nine days later, finishing very respectable 3rd, 11 lengths behind eventual Cheltenham festival winner over fences Monkfish. Long recovered from the injury and soft ground conditions here should suit.
10. Sire Du Berlais
Jockey: M P Walsh
Trainer: G Elliott
Form: 41/132-2
9yoB Gelding
OR: 160
Wgt: 11st 12lbs b t
Was runner-up in the Stayers’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham festival in March, just 31/4 lengths behind a brilliant Flooring Porter. Finished 3rd in this race last year, again behind a victorious Flooring Porter. Was last seen 6 lengths 2nd in the grade two Lismullen Hurdle behind Darasso at Navan in November. He won the Lismullen last season and the performance could be considered a relative step down compared to his usual form. It was his seasonal debut and he should be better for the run.
11. Burning Victory
Jockey: Rachael Blackmore
Trainer: W P Mullins
Form: 11/7-70
5yoBR Mare
OR: 143
Wgt: 11st 5lbs
The only mare in the race completes Willie Mullins’ four horse assault line-up. She won the grade one Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham in 2020, a race most memorable after classy but erratic Goshen unseated rider when in a healthy lead, blundering at the last. Burning Victory has been kept busy during the summer, with a few runs on the level. She finished 7th in a handicap hurdle at Galway in June, 61/2 lengths behind the winner Saldier, who also runs here. She then picked up a win in France and an impressive 2nd place finish 11/2 lengths behind recent grade two winner over hurdles, Buzz. She “disappointed” ,according to Willie Mullins, in a big field in her seasonal reappearance over obstacles at Navan in December. The winner of that race was Commander of Fleet who runs here. Mullins is hopeful the smaller field will encourage a better run from her.
Hawkinsport 