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Analysis & Selections by
.a.n. .r.ò.c.a.s.
Whether it be "the race of the day" or a small prize round the gaffs, we will attempt to use our knowledge of the formbook to highlight the fancied horses participating each day and their characteristics and requirements. Hopefully this 'second opinion' provides you with a winner or two each day, or even reinforces your own view on a particular may even convince you to back some of those horses which we feel are the "ones to fear", or have decent eachway claims. whichever is the case, we hope the information is of use to you.
SELECTIONS - For each race, we have given you who, in our view, are the likeliest winners;
(1er _ THE WINNER?), as well as any runners who could run well at eachway odds;
(E/W
ALTERNATIVE) . Any runner from our features are shown before each race's analysis.
LEOPARDSTOWN
Sunday, December 29.
(¯¯ Iª¯ LEOPARDSTOWN¯¯¯)¯¯¯ »- 12:00 Evening Herald December Festival Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m. 1st - €48,750 , 2nd - €15,000 , 3rd - €7,500 , 4th - €3,000 6Declared
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¦ .a.n. .r.ò.c.a.s. ¦:¬>- Like-A-Butterfly, Liss A Paoriagh, Turtle Back, Stage Affair and Balapour look to have the best claims in the opener. The form horse going into this is surely Liss A Paoriagh who wasn't far behind the best hurdlers currently in Ireland. She has run creditably behind Limestone Lad on each of her three starts this season and would deserve
success in this Grade 1 hurdle. However, I agree with those who believe that Like-A-Butterfly has the potential to go right to the top and this decent Novice (who lost her unbeaten record when finishing third to Davenport Millenium at the Punchestown Festival) might just have too many gears here when push inevitably comes to shove.
¦ 1° ~ THE WINNER?¹ ¦:¬>- Like-A-Butterfly
¦ 2nd place?² ¦:¬>- Liss A Paoriagh
¦ 3rd place?³ ¦:¬>- Turtle Back
(¯¯ IIª¯ LEOPARDSTOWN¯¯¯)¯¯¯ »- 12:30 Paddy Power Festival 3-Y-O Hurdle 2m. 1st - €13,000 , 2nd - €4,000 , 3rd - €2,000 , 4th - €800 20Declared
¦ .a.n. .r.ò.c.a.s. ¦:¬>- Newlands Gold, Ciara's Delight, Mutineer, Caishill, Toutankhamon, American Isle, Ulysees, Ballina Belle, Murghob, and Noble Shift, make most appeal on day two of the meeting. The admirably consistent Mutineer, makes his fifth attempt to win a race, having found a couple too good on each of his four previous attempts. He wears blinkers for the first time today, however it will be a surprise if these help him to improve past Newlands Gold, who beat him 40 days (despite being 7lbs better off. That appears to be a sound piece of form and bar Ulysses I doubt those horse with previous experience will beat him. Ulysees was in good form on the flat and can improve on a slightly lacklustre debut effort, whilst Toutankhamon and American Isle, have shown plenty of promise on the level and are worth noting if the market speaks favourably for them... Newlands Gold gets the vote... but only just
¦ 1° ~ THE WINNER?¹ ¦:¬>- Newlands Gold,
¦ 2nd place?² ¦:¬>- American Isle,
¦ 3rd place?³ ¦:¬>- Toutankhamon, (e/w)
(¯¯ IIIª¯ LEOPARDSTOWN¯¯¯)¯¯¯ »- 1:00 Paddy Power Dial-a-Bet 4-Y-O Maiden Hurdle 2m. 1st - €11,730 , 2nd - €2,890 , 3rd - €1,360 , 4th - €850 23Declared
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[ ("FUTURE WINNERS - NATIONAL HUNT") 2002/3 ~~ Are there any horses from "future winners" our feature which notes horses to watch for follow during the current national hunt season? ]:¬»-Love Ditty (FR).
¦ .a.n. .r.ò.c.a.s. ¦:¬>- Laurel View, Arch Stanton, She's Our Girl, Stacumny Bridge, Kinimba, Itsallgreektome, Social Order, The Who Shall, Dont You Dare, Jones's Road, Our Handyman, Queens Musician, and Love Ditty, are the possibles in the second on the card. Arch Station showed improvement from his hurdling debut at Naas, when chasing home Nil Desperandum at Punchestown three weeks ago.. He will take a lot of beating here, and is preferred to nearest market Laurel View, who has been placed in all his four starts, most recently when failing by a head to catch Murphy's Retreat at Punchestown three weeks ago.
¦ 1° ~ THE WINNER?¹ ¦:¬>- Arch Stanton,
¦ 2nd place?² ¦:¬>- Laurel View,
¦ 3rd place?³ ¦:¬>- Itsallgreektome, (e/w)
(¯¯ IVª¯ LEOPARDSTOWN¯¯¯)¯¯¯ »- 1:30 Paddy Power Dial-a-Bet Steeple-ch. (Grade 2) 2m. 1f. 1st - €29,250 , 2nd - €9,000 , 3rd - €4,500 , 4th - €1,800 6Declared
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¦ .a.n. .r.ò.c.a.s. ¦:¬>- Moscow Flyer, Knife Edge, Alcapone, Copernicus, Go Roger Go, and Arctic Copper all have chances (of sorts) in the third. This looks to be a good opportunity for Moscow Flyer to get back into winning form after his unfortunate slip up in the Tingle Creek Chase, where Barry Geraghty was unshipped when Moscow Flyer cannoned into Flagship Uberailles. Knife Edge may be the one to fear, however he'll need to improve on recent lacklustre efforts to be competitive here.
¦ 1° ~ THE WINNER?¹ ¦:¬>- Moscow Flyer,
¦ 2nd place?² ¦:¬>- Knife Edge,
¦ 3rd place?³ ¦:¬>- Copernicus,
(¯¯ Vª¯ LEOPARDSTOWN¯¯¯)¯¯¯ »- 2:00 paddypower.com Future Champions Novice Hurdle (Grade 2) 2m. 1st - €32,500 , 2nd - €10,000 , 3rd - €5,000 , 4th - €2,000 5Declared
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¦ .a.n. .r.ò.c.a.s. ¦:¬>- Solerina, Kadiskar, Central House, Rosaker and Measure Of The Man make up the field in this Grade 2 hurdle. Solerina will probably go off as favourite here. She has been one of the revelations of the seasons so far and bids for her fifth win from seven attempts here. She has had fortune on her side - her task at Navan last time was simplified by Pizarro's below par effort - however she is getting harder to catch as her jumping seems to get sharper with each effort. She will be vulnerable at today's trip of two miles, however in my view, she has far more going on for her than Kadiskar, [who won cosily at Fairyhouse last time out], Central House, [unbeaten in three starts this term - but this is by far his hardest "ask"] and Rosaker, [who struggled to beat Running On in a maiden at Fairyhouse 13 days ago]
¦ 1° ~ THE WINNER?¹ ¦:¬>- Solerina,
¦ 2nd place?² ¦:¬>- Kadiskar,
¦ 3rd place?³ ¦:¬>- Rosaker,
(¯¯ VIª¯ LEOPARDSTOWN¯¯¯)¯¯¯ »- 2:35 Paddy Power H 'cap Steeple-ch. 3m. 1st - €97,200 , 2nd - €34,000 , 3rd - €17,000 , 4th - €6,800 23Declared
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[ ("ONE TO JUMP") 2002/3 ~~ Are there any horses from "One To Jump 2003" our feature which; each season, provides a list of horses to follow during the current national hunt season? ]:¬»-Coq Hardi Diamond
¦ .a.n. .r.ò.c.a.s. ¦:¬>- I Can Imagine, Finian's Ivy, Precious Music, Woodenbridge Natif, Billy The Snake, Coq Hardi Diamond, Delgany Royal, Shannon Gale, Cregg House, Golden Storm, Montayral, Clonmel's Minella and Falcon Du Coteau, appeal in this open handicap steeplechase. I Can Imagine bids to repeat last season's win in this race has a clear chance of repeating last year's win over subsequent Irish Grand National winner The Bunny Boiler. She has been campaigned exclusively over hurdles this season to preserve her handicap mark and should be spot-on following a good second to Raven Rock at Cork at the beginning of the month. I'm sure she's go close, however Precious Music, Woodenbridge Natif, and Coq Hardi Diamond make more appeal. Precious Music, has been in tremendous form this season, winning both starts at Naas and Navan and will set these a stiff task from the outset, however Woodenbridge Natif appeals most, especially after his encouraging fifth to Be My Royal in the City Life Cork Grand National Handicap Chase (Listed Race). He travelled sweetly that day after a bad blunder five out. That knocked the stuffing out of him and he could only stay on at one pace, however that will have put him right for this and he should go close. His stablemate Coq Hardi Diamond is slowly coming back to form having missed a season through injury. He was second to Call Me Dara in this event two years ago and it will not surprise me if he makes the frame again
¦ 1° ~ THE WINNER?¹ ¦:¬>- Woodenbridge Natif,
¦ 2nd place?² ¦:¬>- Precious Music,
¦ 3rd place?³ ¦:¬>- Coq Hardi Diamond, (e/w)
¦ 4th place?ª ¦:¬>- I Can Imagine,
(¯¯ VIIª¯ LEOPARDSTOWN¯¯¯)¯¯¯ »- 3:10 Paddy Power H 'cap Hurdle 3m. 1st - €19,500 , 2nd - €6,000 , 3rd - €3,000 , 4th - €1,200 14Declared
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[ ("ONE TO JUMP") 2002/3 ~~ Are there any horses from "One To Jump 2003" our feature which; each season, provides a list of horses to follow during the current national hunt season? ]:¬»-Lesssaidthebetter.
¦ .a.n. .r.ò.c.a.s. ¦:¬>- Lesssaidthebetter, Supreme Venture, Sheer Frustration, Give Over, Hurry Bob, Le-Monde, The Culdee, Glenbar, No Discount and Galeogan make most appeal in the sixth. Le-Monde will probably attempt to make most here. He has only been out of the frame once in seven attempts over obstacles and will make life hard for his rivals here, however Lesssaidthebetter and Sheer Frustration, make slightly more appeal. I'll go with Lesssaidthebetter who has showed improved form from that shown last term. He races as though this trip is required as he has been a little one-paced on both appearances this season and he shouldn't too far away here.
¦ 1° ~ THE WINNER?¹ ¦:¬>- Lesssaidthebetter,
¦ 2nd place?² ¦:¬>- Sheer Frustration,
¦ 3rd place?³ ¦:¬>- Le-Monde, (e/w)
(¯¯ VIIIª¯ LEOPARDSTOWN¯¯¯)¯¯¯ »- 3:40 Paddy Power Dial-a-Bet UK INH Flat Race 2m. 1st - €8,970 , 2nd - €2,210 , 3rd - €1,040 , 4th - €650 10Declared
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¦ .a.n. .r.ò.c.a.s. ¦:¬>- The Boys In Green, Shuil Leader, So I'm Told, One Four Shannon, Thewildcoloniallad, and Kahuna make most appeal on Day two of the meeting. The Boys In Green; a half-brother to Joe Mac and Direct Route stands out here and should be the one to be on, especially if the market speaks favourably for him.
¦ 1° ~ THE WINNER?¹ ¦:¬>- The Boys In Green,
¦ 2nd place?² ¦:¬>- So I'm Told,
¦ 3rd place?³ ¦:¬>- Thewildcoloniallad, (e/w)
LEOPARDSTOWN
Saturday, December 28.
(¯¯ Iª¯ LEOPARDSTOWN¯¯¯)¯¯¯ »- 12:25 Riverside Park Hotel Maiden Hurdle 15runners 2miles- Penalty £11040 5-Year-Olds +
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¦ .a.n. .r.ò.c.a.s. ¦:¬>- Supreme Developer, Joueur D'Estruval, Leinster, Rob The Five, Rosenca, Write It Down, Hi Cloy, and Mr Houdini, all have claims in
the opener. Joueur D'Estruval, gets the vote over Supreme Developer, (slightly
disappointing on his debut over hurdles), despite finishing behind him in the
Paddy Power Champion I.N.H. Flat Race (gr. 1) at the
Punchestown Festival in April. He ran well on the flat in June and has more basic speed which could be made to tell over obstacles
¦ 1° ~ THE WINNER?¹ ¦:¬>- Joueur D'Estruval,
¦ 2nd place?² ¦:¬>- Supreme Developer,
¦ 3rd place?³ ¦:¬>- Leinster,
(¯¯ IIª¯ LEOPARDSTOWN¯¯¯)¯¯¯ »- 12:55 Special Olympics World Games Novice Hurdle 6runners 2miles-4f Penalty £19500 4, 5 and 6-Year-Olds
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[ ("ONE TO JUMP") 2002/3 ~~ Are there any horses from "One To Jump 2003" our feature which; each season, provides a list of horses to follow during the current national hunt season? ]:¬»-Fota Island
¦ .a.n. .r.ò.c.a.s. ¦:¬>- Hardy Eustace, Plenty Of Ice, Satco Express, Nil Desperandum, Mystic Lord, and Fota Island contest the second. Plenty Of Ice gets my vote. He had won both starts before losing out to the front-running Solerina at Punchestown, twenty days ago. That was a good effort and he is preferred to Satco Express, [could be hindered by his
penalties here] and Nil Desperandum, [who did nothing wrong when winning on his hurdles debut at
Punchestown]
¦ 1° ~ THE WINNER?¹ ¦:¬>- Plenty Of Ice,
¦ 2nd place?² ¦:¬>- Satco Express,
¦ 3rd place?³ ¦:¬>- Nil Desperandum,
(¯¯ IIIª¯ LEOPARDSTOWN¯¯¯)¯¯¯ »- 1:30 William Neville & Sons Novice Steeple-Ch. 7runners 3miles- Penalty £29250 5-Year-Olds +
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¦ .a.n. .r.ò.c.a.s. ¦:¬>- Lord Of The Turf, Ballyamber, Native Sessions, Be My Belle, Jenniferjo, Nearly A Moose
and Super Fellow all can be given claims in the third. I'd take a chance with Ballyamber who
showed plenty of promise on his seasonal reappearance at Fairyhouse behind stablemate Macs Gildoran. He's proven over
the trip and the ground and if his jumping holds up he may be hard to beat.
¦ 1° ~ THE WINNER?¹ ¦:¬>- Ballyamber,
¦ 2nd place?² ¦:¬>- Native Sessions,
¦ 3rd place?³ ¦:¬>- Lord Of The Turf,
(¯¯ IVª¯ LEOPARDSTOWN¯¯¯)¯¯¯ »- 2:05 Woodiesdiy.Com Christmas Hurdle 6runners 3miles- Penalty £32500 4-Year-Olds +
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¦ .a.n. .r.ò.c.a.s. ¦:¬>- It will be a big surprise if this does not become a match
between Limestone Lad and Bannow Bay... with Boss Doyle binging home the remainder.
Limestone Lad will try and make all whilst Bannow Bay will lay in wait, hoping to strike after the last. There
isn't much to choose between these however Limestone Lad has looked as good as ever
this term and whilst Bannow Bay definitely had the edge last term, it may be
Limestone Lad's turn this season.
¦ 1° ~ THE WINNER?¹ ¦:¬>- Limestone Lad
¦ 2nd place?² ¦:¬>- Bannow Bay
¦ 3rd place?³ ¦:¬>- Boss Doyle
(¯¯ Vª¯ LEOPARDSTOWN¯¯¯)¯¯¯ »- 2:40 Ericsson Steeple-Ch. [gr. 1] 7runners 3miles- Penalty £97500 5-Year-Olds +
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[ ("ONE TO JUMP") 2002/3 ~~ Are there any horses from "One To Jump 2003" our feature which; each season, provides a list of horses to follow during the current national hunt season? ]:¬»-Beef Or Salmon,
¦ .a.n. .r.ò.c.a.s. ¦:¬>- First Gold, Rince Ri, Foxchapel King, Beef Or Salmon, Sackville, Harbour Pilot and Colonel Braxton contest the Grade One Ericsson Steeple-Ch... I was impressed
with Sackville at Haydock last time out and he'll probably set out to make this a sensible gallop. If he operates on
this ground he'd probably give a good account of himself, however First Gold, Rince Ri, Foxchapel King and Beef Or Salmon, will
probably end up battling this one out. Francois Doumen should be applauded for bringing First Gold back from two serious
injuries. He caught the eye when staying on behind Native Upmanship and Rince Ri in the John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase (Grade 1), giving the impression that there may have been more to come if the gun had been put to his head. A
return to the form that saw him land th King George will be more than good enough here and he is taken to
reverse placings with Rince Ri.... and subdue the likely strong challenge from ONE TO JUMP representative Beef Or Salmon.
¦ 1° ~ THE WINNER?¹ ¦:¬>- First Gold,
¦ 2nd place?² ¦:¬>- Rince Ri,
¦ 3rd place?³ ¦:¬>- Beef Or Salmon,
(¯¯ VIª¯ LEOPARDSTOWN¯¯¯)¯¯¯ »- 3:10 Powers Gold Label Championship H 'cap Hurdle 11runners 2miles- Penalty £19500 3-Year-Olds plus
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[ ("ONE TO JUMP") 2002/3 ~~ Are there any horses from "One To Jump 2003" our feature which; each season, provides a list of horses to follow during the current national hunt season? ]:¬»-Atlantic Rhapsody,
¦ .a.n. .r.ò.c.a.s. ¦:¬>- Evening Scent, Mr Sneaky Boo, Park Leader, Some Buzz, Over The First, Atlantic Rhapsody, Ballykettrail, Harry The Ear and Newhall, make most appeal in
the sixth race. Atlantic Rhapsody (eachway) is the
selection. He didn't run too badly when finishing fifth to Turtleback on his
reappearance at Fairyhouse at the end of November, travelling sweetly until; when he was asked to raise his effort between the last two. He should come on from the run, his first since a decent handicap effort at the same venue in April and shouldn't give punters a good run for their money.
¦1°~THE WINNER?¹¦:¬>-Atlantic Rhapsody (e/w)
¦ 2nd place?² ¦:¬>- Mr Sneaky Boo,
¦ 3rd place?³ ¦:¬>- Evening Scent,
(¯¯ VIIª¯ LEOPARDSTOWN¯¯¯)¯¯¯ »- 3:40 Alfa Romeo I.N.H. Flat Race 14runners 2miles-4f Penalty £11040 5-Year-Olds +
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¦ .a.n. .r.ò.c.a.s. ¦:¬>- Murphy's Retreat, Mark The Man, Monte Grande, Ball O Malt,
Vearian, Lisderry Lad, Good Idea, and Thewildcoloniallad, make most appeal
in the finale. Monte Grande gets my vote... he won his debut at Gowran Park
under today's pilot, who stayed on really strongly on the outside of his field ,
eventually catching runner-up Banusal, to win by 1/2length. The extra two furlongs
should suit and he should give a good account of himself
¦ 1° ~ THE WINNER?¹ ¦:¬>- Monte Grande,
¦ 2nd place?² ¦:¬>- Murphy's Retreat,
¦ 3rd place?³ ¦:¬>- Vearian, (e/w)
LEOPARDSTOWN
Thursday 26th December
(¯¯ Iª¯ LEOPARDSTOWN¯¯¯)¯¯¯ »- 12:25 Denny WAIFOS Maiden Hurdle 2m. 2f. 1st - €12,075 , 2nd - €2,975 , 3rd - €1,400 , 4th - €875 13Declared
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[ ("ONE TO JUMP") 2002/3 ~~ Are there any horses from "One To Jump 2003" our feature which; each season, provides a list of horses to follow during the current national hunt season? ]:¬»-Kickham and Thaix (FR).
¦ .a.n. .r.ò.c.a.s. ¦:¬>- Kickham, Ri Na Realta, Tandy's Bridge, Poachin Again, Thaix, Tipp Top, and Black Isle,
would appear to have th best claims in the opener on Leopardstown's Christmas Meeting. Kickham, should go off as favourite,
probably on the strength of his good bumper form from last term... That as yet
hasn't been translated over obstacles, though he ran creditably last time when beating all bar Plenty Of Ice at Navan 39 days ago. If he
produces his best form he can't be overlooked, however Thaix could be a better betting
proposition (eachway). He only ran once last term, however it was a highly
encouraging efforts behind Supreme Developer in the Paddy Power Champion I.N.H. Flat Race (Grade 1) at the Punchestown Festival. If he takes to obstacles he could go well here.
¦ 1° ~ THE WINNER?¹ ¦:¬>- Thaix (e/w).
¦ 2nd place?² ¦:¬>-Kickham,
¦ 3rd place?³ ¦:¬>- Tandy's Bridge,
(¯¯ IIª¯ LEOPARDSTOWN¯¯¯)¯¯¯ »- 12:55 Kerry Spring (4-Year-Old) Maiden Hurdle 2m. 2f. 1st - €12,075 , 2nd - €2,975 , 3rd - €1,400 , 4th - €875 15Declared
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[ ("ONE TO JUMP") 2002/3 ~~ Are there any horses from "One To Jump 2003" our feature which; each season, provides a list of horses to follow during the current national hunt season? ]:¬»- Green Finger
[ ("FUTURE WINNERS - NATIONAL HUNT") 2002/3 ~~ Are there any horses from "future winners" our feature which notes horses to watch for follow during the current national hunt season? ]:¬»- Swordlestown.
¦ .a.n. .r.ò.c.a.s. ¦:¬>- Mullacash, Like A Bee, Green Finger, Swordlestown, Marigold, Safe Route, Liscannor Lad, Shawings, Young Cuthbert, Risk And Reward, Dow Jones, and Elapour, make most appeal in a four-year-old maiden hurdle which comes next on
the card. I must profess to be very interested in the claims of our horses to follow Green Finger, [who made all when
winning a four-year-old maiden point-to-point at Summerhill in April], and Swordlestown, [who beat older rivals in a
similar event at Tullamore]. Market confidence for either of them could be
significant and it wouldnt surprise me if they went well, however they may not have the speed to cope with Marigold a winner twice
on the flat after coming over from France. She was below her best on her final two starts of the season, however before that
appeared to be quite progressive... She may well have too much pace for her rivals
¦ 1° ~ THE WINNER?¹ ¦:¬>-Marigold (FR),
¦ 2nd place?² ¦:¬>- Swordlestown,
¦ 3rd place?³ ¦:¬>- Green Finger, (e/w)
(¯¯ IIIª¯ LEOPARDSTOWN¯¯¯)¯¯¯ »- 1:30 Denny Juvenile (3-Year-Old) Hurdle [gr. 2] 2m. 1st - €32,500 , 2nd - €10,000 , 3rd - €5,000 , 4th - €2,000 9Declared
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¦ .a.n. .r.ò.c.a.s. ¦:¬>- Golden Cross, Harchibald, and Party Airs look to be head and shoulders clear of their rivals in
the third. Golden Cross impressed when beating Mirpour in the betfair.com Juvenile 3-Y-O Hurdle (Grade 3) at Fairyhouse 26
days ago after running up a hat trick of wins during the summer on the flat... he should go close,
however Harchibald may prove to be too string an opponent. This multi winner in the French
provinces during the summer, Harchibald won on his debut at Fairyhouse, beating Bellaficient with a bit more in hand than the ½Length winning margin may suggest. He was a little green and can only
improve and possibly has more scope for that improvement... I'd take a chance with him.
¦ 1° ~ THE WINNER?¹ ¦:¬>-Harchibald (FR),
¦ 2nd place?² ¦:¬>- Golden Cross,
¦ 3rd place?³ ¦:¬>- Party Airs
(¯¯ IVª¯ LEOPARDSTOWN¯¯¯)¯¯¯ »- 2:05 Charleville Cheese Hurdle [H 'cap] (Rated 74-116)
2m. 2f. 1st - €14,950 , 2nd - €4,600 , 3rd - €2,300 , 4th - €920 15Declared
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¦ .a.n. .r.ò.c.a.s. ¦:¬>- Rare Ouzel, Caraman, G V A Ireland, Touch Supreme, Healy's Pub, Stashedaway, Yukon, Dark Trojan, and Nijinsky Dancer, all have chances in the fourth. Rare Ouzel, who beat all bar Jurancon II at Cheltenham last month, will be
difficult to beat if replicating that form, however G V A Ireland does look interesting off of only 9-13, if he can
translates the level of form shown in his last two starts in bumpers; behind Central House at Punchestown and in victory when
beating 28-rivals at Fairyhouse... he'll do for me.
¦ 1° ~ THE WINNER?¹ ¦:¬>- G V A Ireland,
¦ 2nd place?² ¦:¬>- Rare Ouzel,
¦ 3rd place?³ ¦:¬>- Dark Trojan, (e/w)
(¯¯ Vª¯ LEOPARDSTOWN¯¯¯)¯¯¯ »- 2:40 Denny Gold Medal Novice Steeple-ch. [gr. 1] 2m. 1f. 1st - €65,000 , 2nd - €20,000 , 3rd - €10,000 , 4th - €4,000 7Declared
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[ ("ONE TO JUMP") 2002/3 ~~ Are there any horses from "One To Jump 2003" our feature which; each season, provides a list of horses to follow during the current national hunt season? ]:¬»- Le Coudray (FR) and Say Again
¦ .a.n. .r.ò.c.a.s. ¦:¬>- Theoretically Le Coudray, Bust Out, Petersham, Say Again, and The Gatherer, can all be given chances in this Grade 1 Steeple-ch, however it will take a good horse to lower Le
Coudray's colours, especially if he is in the same sort of form shown when winning Pierse Group Drinmore Novice Chase (Grade 1) at
Fairyhouse at the beginning of the month. Whatever he does between now and
Cheltenham, this performance is worth considering for that meeting as this was as a good a run over fences as a novice as you'll see. There was no hanging about, with Fiery Ring and Barrow Drive setting a fierce early pace in testing conditions. Le Coudray was
economical (without being spectacular at his obstacles) and started to pull clear with Barrow Drive down the back straight once front-runner Fiery Ring had cried enough.
Demonstrating stamina resources as well as speed, Le Coudray took it up at the second last and need only to be pushed out to beat Barrow Drive by 6 lengths with the rest of
the field literally miles behind these two. Bust Out, and Say Again, are useful hurdlers, who should make their mark over fences, however they shouldn't be good enough... unless that last effort has
temporarily left its mark on Le Coudray... who is the selection.
¦ 1° ~ THE WINNER?¹ ¦:¬>- Le Coudray.
¦ 2nd place?² ¦:¬>- Say Again, (e/w)
¦ 3rd place?³ ¦:¬>- Bust Out,
(¯¯ VIª¯ LEOPARDSTOWN¯¯¯)¯¯¯ »- 3:10 Paddy Power Dial-a-Bet Steeple-ch. [H 'cap] 2m. 5f. 1st - €13,000 , 2nd - €4,000 , 3rd - €2,000 , 4th - €800 5Declared
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¦ .a.n. .r.ò.c.a.s. ¦:¬>- A disappointing turn-out for the sixth race of the Meeting... of whom, Rheindross, Wilton Bridge, Francines-Boy and Royal Signature make most appeal. I do like Wilton Bridge here who made a pleasing reappearance behind Jamica Plane over 2miles at Punchestown two weeks ago. He has winning form over a mile further , so should appreciate the step up in trip here. He should have come on for that
experience and is taken to withhold the challenges of Rheindross and Francines-Boy
¦ 1° ~ THE WINNER?¹ ¦:¬>-Wilton Bridge,
¦ 2nd place?² ¦:¬>- Rheindross
¦ 3rd place?³ ¦:¬>- Francines-Boy
(¯¯ VIIª¯ LEOPARDSTOWN¯¯¯)¯¯¯ »- 3:40 Ballyfree (4-Year-Old) I.N.H. Flat Race 2m. 1st - €8,970 , 2nd - €2,210 , 3rd - €1,040 , 4th - €650 17Declared
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¦ 1° ~ THE WINNER?¹ ¦:¬>- Which Half, Govamix, Kronos Des Obeaux, Sigma Techs, Loss Of Faith, Graphic Approach, Don Amechie, Jericho, Queen Sophie, and Quarantine, make most appeal in
the last. You'd think that unless one of the newcomers were useful that this should go to Which Half; who
caught the eye when staying on with real purpose behind Turtleback at Fairyhouse 26 days ago. I'll go with him although newcomers Kronos Des Obeaux, and Quarantine make plenty of appeal... Market
support for them could be significant.
¦ 1er. ~ THE WINNER?¹ ¦:¬>- Which Half,
¦ 2nd place?² ¦:¬>- Kronos Des Obeaux,
¦ 3rd place?³ ¦:¬>- Quarantine
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