Analysis & Selections by t.h.e. r.o.o.k. - 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; [¹ NØ.1 CHOICE], as well as any runners who could run well at eachway odds; [²E/W ALTERNATIVE ] . Any runner from our features are shown before each race's analysis.

LEOPARDSTOWN
Friday 28th December
12:25 Riverside Park Hotel Maiden Hurdle (5yo+) 2m
¦----------¦ ¥: AT THE POST :¥ ¦----------¦
[t.h.e. r.o.o.k]:-:-->The Indispensable, Cadou Royal, Boneyarrow, Native Celts, Delarine, Blazing Missile, and Astronomer, make most appeal in the opener. The Indispensable, and Cadou Royal, are two lovely individuals who I am quite sweet on. They should monitored as they'll develop into useful sorts in time. Cadou Royal has a fitness advantage but may be better over the larger obstacles, and could be susceptible to The Indispensable change of gears ... Abstention is probably the best bet, however I would consider backing Christy Roche's gelding [who hasn't raced since going lame on the first day of last year's Christmas meeting] if the market spoke favourably for him, Of the others; the Edward O'Grady-trained newcomer Native Celts appeals to me on breeding and I'll be noting his run with the future in mind.
[¹nø.1 choice]:-:-->The Indispensable,
[²e/w alternative]:-:-->Native Celts

12:55 O'Dwyers Stillorgan Orchard Novice Hurdle (4yo+) 2m4f 
¦----------¦ ¥: AT THE POST :¥ ¦----------¦
[are there any runners from "ONE TO JUMP" - our national hunt horses to follow feature?]:-:-->Like-A-Butterfly, 
[t.h.e. r.o.o.k]:-:-->Assuming Like-A-Butterfly isn't inconvenienced by the extra half-mile she has to travel here. she should take her sixth win in a row. She hasn't impressed with her jumping , but the engine is currently running very smoothly... Pietro Vannucci will be waiting to take full advantage of any mishaps, but will need a few to occur to take advantage. 
[¹nø.1 choice]:-:-->Like-A-Butterfly, 
[²e/w alternative]:-:-->

1:30 William Neville & Sons Novice Steeplechase (5yo+) (Gr.3) 3m
¦----------¦ ¥: AT THE POST :¥ ¦----------¦
[are there any runners from "ONE TO JUMP" - our national hunt horses to follow feature?]:-:-->Colonel Braxton, and Big-And-Bold, 
[t.h.e. r.o.o.k]:-:-->Colonel Braxton, Harbour Pilot, Macs Gildoran, Topacio, Silver Steel, Give Over, Assessed, and Big-And-Bold, appeal in the third. This appears to be wide open, and I suspect punter confidence to be widely spread. Harbour Pilot heads the weights ... deservedly so having jumped well when beating Risk Accessor and Mac's Gildoran in a Grade 1 novice chase at Fairyhouse over 2m4f. That appears to be the best piece of collateral form so he should be well despite conceding weight all round. Mac's Gildoran is probably better than that bare form and is  best judged on his impressive win at Navan on his chasing bow... he shouldn't be too far away. Colonel Braxton has to be considered. the leading novice hurdler at 2m4f in Ireland last season, comes here on the back on an unfortunate episode at when he was been brought down at an early at Fairyhouse in the race in the race subsequently won by Give Over. That wasn't the ideal prep race for a race this demanding, however he is a classy individual , who is favoured by the weights if he jumps round. Of the others, Big-And-Bold a useful novice hurdler last season, should have improved for first run of the season, and will be suited by this trip; Topacio - who accounted for a lacklustre Youlneverwalkalone at Fairyhouse - will not be far away if seeing out the trip, The same comments apply to Silver Steel, who has won his two most recent races cosily, and Give Over who is an out-and-out stayer, who will be running on at the death. In an open race go with the best prospect .... Colonel Braxton 
[¹nø.1 choice]:-:-->Colonel Braxton 
[²e/w alternative]:-:-->Big-And-Bold,

2:05 woodiesdiy.com Christmas Hurdle (Gr.2) 3m
¦----------¦ ¥: AT THE POST :¥ ¦----------¦
[t.h.e. r.o.o.k]:-:-->Limestone Lad, Bannow Bay, Boss Doyle, clash in race four. This will be a far more meaningful test of Limestone Lad than his 'walk in the park' last time out. He seems to be running up his very best form over hurdles and should oblige, however don't be surprised if Bannow Bay ruffles the feathers at this more suitable trip 
[¹nø.1 choice]:-:-->Limestone Lad,
[²e/w alternative]:-:-->

2:40 Ericsson Steeplechase (5yo+) (Gr.2) 3m
¦----------¦ ¥: AT THE POST :¥ ¦----------¦
[t.h.e. r.o.o.k]:-:-->With Sackville possibly missing the race/possibly running having had a dirty nose, the edge has been taken off of this race .... and to be frank it also has my enthusiasm.... I will be watching it with interest though as I want to see how Alexander Banquet goes here in his first run since chasing home Florida Pearl in the Hennessy here last term. The comments apply to Rince Ri, who has won successive runnings of this event, however seems to have lost his jumping edge this term ... the door is open for him to take advantage here, if he is gets intro a rhythm and I'd consider him. Native Upmanship is better at 2m4f-2m6f, so is always vulnerable in a finish. I thought that Foxchapel King took advantage of events when beating Wicked Crack and a below-par Florida Pearl at Down Royal last month, but arguably is the form horse. This is a race to watch if ever there was one, however if I am going to have an interest, it will be in Paris Pike (e/w) who failed by a length to concede 28lbs to Weaver George at Kelso. As that horse was on a roll and had improved over a stone this term, that was an encouraging effort in a race that wasn't run to suit. Hopefully he'll have come on for that run, and do himself justice
[¹nø.1 choice]:-:-->Paris Pike (e/w)
[²e/w alternative]:-:-->Rince Ri

3:10 Powers Gold Label Championship H'cap Hurdle 
¦----------¦ ¥: AT THE POST :¥ ¦----------¦
[are there any runners from "ONE TO JUMP" - our national hunt horses to follow feature?]:-:-->Ballykettrail, 
[t.h.e. r.o.o.k]:-:-->Ballykettrail, Vatirisk, Sabrinsky, True Blue Victory, Hobart Frisbey, and Keevers all have claims in the sixth. Its been an unusually quiet week for JP Macmanus thus far, however he must be hoping for a bold bid for Ballykettrail, who comes here on the back of two wins in bumpers and a cosy success over hurdles at Ballinrobe during the early part of the season (over here) where he beat Gamekeeper by 6 lengths. That race was over 2m4f, however he could be suited by the drop in trip ... assuming this is truly run. He is preferred to Sabrinsky who disapointed me last term (he was in our ONE TO JUMP feature) however seems to be in better heart this term over hurdles, if judged by his facile win at Navan. 
[¹nø.1 choice]:-:-->Ballykettrail, 
[²e/w alternative]:-:-->Sabrinsky, 

3:40 Fiat Stilo - Forward Thinking Flat Race 2m4f 
¦----------¦ ¥: AT THE POST :¥ ¦----------¦
[t.h.e. r.o.o.k]:-:-->Moss Bawn's credentials appear to be rock solid if it is accurate that he should have taken a couple of point to points, and more recently a bumper. Sometimes though horses make their own ill fortune, and I'd rather see him take a race before supporting him.... Heroic's credentials appeal. He has won a race, at over 2niles, more importantly though, he gives every indication that this extreme distance will be right up his street... He gets the vote 
[¹nø.1 choice]:-:-->Heroic
[²e/w alternative]:-:-->Watershed

LEOPARDSTOWN
Thursday 27th December
12:25 Paddy Power Festival 3-Y-O Hurdle 
¦----------¦ ¥: AT THE POST :¥ ¦----------¦
[are there any runners from "ONE TO JUMP" - our national hunt horses to follow feature?]:-:--> Khetaam, 
[t.h.e. r.o.o.k]:-:-->Scolardy, Caraman, Khetaam, King's Opera, Street Player, Turtleback, Czar Of Peace, Henry Afrika, La Golondrina. All have chances of sorts in an open looking juvenile hurdle. Scolardy, conqueror of Newhall (a winning selection for The Rook here yesterday) is certain to have his supporters. However, he is penalised for that win and may be vulnerable to one of the debutantes. Khetaam, who was useful on the flat with Ben Hanbury, fits the appropriate profile and can be another winning selection for the One to Jump feature. Of the others, Caraman catches the eye on pedigree and may be able to run into a place.
[¹nø.1 choice]:-:-->Khetaam
[²e/w alternative]:-:-->Caraman

12:55 Paddy Power Tax Free Dial-a-Bet Steeplechase (Gr.3) 
¦----------¦ ¥: AT THE POST :¥ ¦----------¦
[t.h.e. r.o.o.k]:-:-->Knife Edge will take a lot of beating, despite conceding weight all round here. He had Killultagh Storm back in third when scoring at Naas, and when accounting for Moscow Express and Space Trucker at Cork last time out. Although these runners can be given chances of reversing the form receiving weight, I'd be surprised if Knife Edge failed to score here. Papillon who has a good record in this race is probably the best of the eachway options.
[¹nø.1 choice]:-:-->Knife Edge (USA)
[²e/w alternative]:-:-->Papillon

1:25 paddypower.com H'cap Hurdle 
¦----------¦ ¥: AT THE POST :¥ ¦----------¦
[t.h.e. r.o.o.k]:-:-->The third on the card is a handicap although the weights are compressed due to Unsinkable Boxer, and His Song being in the line up. I like Deckie here. He races off of the 9st 7lb minimum, and appears to have been laid out for this after stumbling and falling after two out when odds-on favourite for a handicap at Tralee in September. His form in the summer isn't possibly quite good enough, but this six year old would still be open to further improvement. John Magical, second to Be My Case over 2m4f at Punchestown last time is probably his main danger
[¹nø.1 choice]:-:-->Deckie
[²e/w alternative]:-:-->Ear To The Ground 

2:00 Paddy Power Dial-a-Bet Future Champions Novice Hurdle (Gr.2) 
¦----------¦ ¥: AT THE POST :¥ ¦----------¦
[t.h.e. r.o.o.k]:-:-->Ballyhampshire Boy, and Yeoman's Point, are the likeliest winners of the fourth. Ballyhampshire Boy has won four races this season. After taking two bumpers impressively, he has apparently improved for going over hurdles, most recently at Punchestown where he beat Rathgar Beau by 14lengths... Yeoman's Point is highly thought of but may struggle to cope with the selection here 
[¹nø.1 choice]:-:-->Ballyhampshire Boy
[²e/w alternative]:-:-->

2:35 Paddy Power H'cap Chase (Grade B) 
¦----------¦ ¥: AT THE POST :¥ ¦----------¦
[t.h.e. r.o.o.k]:-:-->Shannon Gale, Delgany Royal. This Is Serious. It's Himself , Folliday , I Can Imagine. Over The Furze, Granit D'Estruval (FR), Cregg House. Section Seven, Sigma Dotcomm, and Clash Of The Gales are the ones to consider in a typically open renewal of this handicap chase. Two appeal to me here... Former hunter chaser It's Himself who probably has been laid out for this by Tony Martin and racing a nice racing weight (10-5). The other is the novice Sigma Dotcomm who stayed on nicely to finish second to Silver Steel over 2m-4f last time out. He should appreciate this trip, and could be interesting if he puts in that a clear round. At double figure odds, He makes plenty of appeal at eachway odds, and is the "nø.1 choice". 
[¹nø.1 choice]:-:-->Sigma Dotcomm, (e/w) 
[²alternative]:-:-->It's Himself

3:10 Paddy Power Bet on WAP Maiden Hurdle 
¦----------¦ ¥: AT THE POST :¥ ¦----------¦
[t.h.e. r.o.o.k]:-:-->Ard Solus who impressed onlookers when wining a Punchestown bumper in September, is preferred to the former British-trained handicapper Canford, now in Noel Meade's care. He is likely to be a bit sharper following his second to In The Forge on his introduction to hurdling at Navan last weekend, but may have to give best to Christy Roche's runner. 
[¹nø.1 choice]:-:-->Ard Solus
[²e/w alternative]:-:-->Royal Tilande (FR ) 

3:40 Paddy Power Tax Free Dial-a-Bet Flat Race 
¦----------¦ ¥: AT THE POST :¥ ¦----------¦
[t.h.e. r.o.o.k]:-:-->A trappy race to end the day with Mount Kimble, Alexander Milenium, Mypalthebuilder, Black Zena, Bounty Boy, Inch'Allah, and Thursday, all appearing to have chances of sorts. Although Mount Kimble appears to have an outstanding claim, if his second to Ballyhampshire Boy is a reliable line of form, a market move of Mypalthebuilder would be significant. He makes little show on his racecourse debut, however connection surely wouldnt be running him here if they thought he wasn't better than that ... it may be worth taking the hint. 
[¹nø.1 choice]:-:--> Mypalthebuilder
[²e/w alternative]:-:-->Inch'Allah (FR ) 

LEOPARDSTOWN
Wednesday 26th December
12:25 Denny WAIFOS Maiden Hurdle 
¦----------¦ ¥: AT THE POST :¥ ¦----------¦
[t.h.e. r.o.o.k]:-:-->Woody's Deep Ocean's win in a recent bumper at Punchestown appears top be the best piece of collateral form, and he is preferred to Georgie's Best and Tribal County
[¹nø.1 choice]:-:-->Woody's Deep Ocean
[²e/w alternative]:-:-->

12:55 Kerry Spring Maiden Hurdle 
¦----------¦ ¥: AT THE POST :¥ ¦----------¦
[are there any runners from "One to Jump 2002" - our national hunt horses to follow feature?]:-:-->Thari and Robert E Lee, 
[t.h.e. r.o.o.k]:-:-->I will be watching the second race on the card with interest; as Thari [useful on the flat with Ben Hanbury] and Robert E Lee, a promising fifth on his hurdling bow "represent" our "One to Jump 2002" feature. Both of these should go well, and with Jack Owen Jack, [impressive on his debut in a Fairyhouse bumper], Blanc C'Est Blanc, Petersham, and Atlantic Rhapsody are the likeliest winners of the second, This should be a close call however Jack Owen Jack is certain to improve for his first effort, and is marginally preferred to Thari here 
[¹nø.1 choice]:-:-->Jack Owen Jack, 
[²e/w alternative]:-:--> Robert E Lee
[²one to note for the future]:-:--> Blanc C'Est Blanc (FR)

1:30 Denny Juvenile Hurdle (Gr.2) 
¦----------¦ ¥: AT THE POST :¥ ¦----------¦
[t.h.e. r.o.o.k]:-:-->Hyderabad, Pasteur, Moore's Law, Newhall, Baron De Feypo, and Don't You Dare, are the likeliest winners of the third Hyderabad, and Pasteur are amongst the best juveniles to have in Ireland thus far, and should go close, however they may fail to concede weight to Newhall, who will improve on her eye-catching Thurles debut, when finishing a staying on third to Scolardy [Hyderabad finished behind her that day] 
[¹nø.1 choice]:-:-->Newhall 
[²e/w alternative]:-:-->Baron De Feypo

2:05 Charleville Cheese H'cap Hurdle 
¦----------¦ ¥: AT THE POST :¥ ¦----------¦
[t.h.e. r.o.o.k]:-:-->Hartigan, Spirit Of Park, Our Bid, Heart Of Armor, Mr Sneaky Boo, Secret Native, The Culdee, Cronin's Boy, Lively Buck, and Pacon, all have claims in an open looking handicap hurdle. Hartigan who disappointed when well beaten at Fairyhouse last time out, dips his toe into handicaps, and appears to be fairly treated... He is preferred to Spirit Of Park who has his first run for new connections since leaving Lenny Lungo's yard... He hasn't run for a year however he's interesting if jumping wound up for this first run for a year 
[¹nø.1 choice]:-:-->Hartigan
[²e/w alternative]:-:--> Heart Of Armor,

2:40 Denny Gold Medal Novice Steeplechase (Gr.1) 
¦----------¦ ¥: AT THE POST :¥ ¦----------¦
[are there any runners from "One to Jump 2002" - our national hunt horses to follow feature?]:-:--> Youlneverwalkalone, Michael Mor, and Masalarian, 
[t.h.e. r.o.o.k]:-:-->The fifth race on the card appears to be ultra competitive; Moscow Flyer, Youlneverwalkalone, Colonel Yeager, Golden Storm, Michael Mor, Masalarian, Regal Venture, and Over The First all have chances of sorts. There wouldnt be much between Moscow Flyer, and Youlneverwalkalone on their hurdle form, and both of these, should go close with clear rounds. I'd take a chance that Youlneverwalkalone improves significantly on his seasonal reappearance when beaten by Topacio at Fairyhouse at the beginning of the month, 
[¹nø.1 choice]:-:-->Youlneverwalkalone 
[²e/w alternative]:-:--> Masalarian

3:10 Paddy Power Dial-a-Bet H'cap Steeplechase 
¦----------¦ ¥: AT THE POST :¥ ¦----------¦
[t.h.e. r.o.o.k]:-:-->Tidjani, and Woodenbridge Natif appeal most in the next. Tidjani; a facile winner at Fairyhouse, where he beat River Cora by 2 1/2lengths will have his supporters. I just prefer Woodenbridge Natif who was highly impressive when obliging at Navan. If he can cope with the step back in trip, he should go close again here despite being raised 12lbs by the handicapper for the Navan success
[¹nø.1 choice]:-:-->Woodenbridge Natif 
[²e/w alternative]:-:-->Seymour Breese

3:40 Ballyfree I.N.H. Flat Race 
¦----------¦ ¥: AT THE POST :¥ ¦----------¦
[t.h.e. r.o.o.k]:-:-->Sound As A Bell, hails from a partnership that farm races at this meeting. If the home reports are correct then Sound As A Bell is reputed to be a pretty decent sort. He may be no betting proposition, however if the market speaks in this one's favour then he is probably the one to be one here. Rugged Jacket; placed in all of his starts thus far, having finished third to the talented Aine Dubh at Punchestown on his latest start ... could be the one for eachway support 
[¹nø.1 choice]:-:-->Sound As A Bell,
[²e/w alternative]:-:-->Rugged Jacket

This page was updated - Friday January 04, 2002 10:26:14 AM