Gilgamboa - (Navan, 15:30)Winner Useful hurdler, impressive winner of valuable handicap at Leopardstown in January. 6 lengths 13th of 18 to Vautour in Supreme Novices Hurdle at Cheltenham last time. Exciting chasing prospect.
Clondaw Court - (Punchestown, 12:30) 4/9 (Betfair) NR Won maiden point in April 2012. 4/6, won 4-runner novice hurdle at Thurles (22f, soft) in January, kept up to work. Off 10 months. One to keep on right side.
5/1, won 12-runner Champion INH Flat at Punchestown (16f, good) by 2 lengths from Silver Concorde in April. As good a prospect as there is for novice hurdles in Ireland this season.
Chased leaders, not fluent 4th, 5th halfway, slight mistake on inner 3 out, improved into 2nd before 2 out where led, extended advantage before last where slight mistake, easily (op 1/5)
Didn’t need to improve to win 4-runner Tattersalls Ireland Champion Novices' Hurdle at Punchestown (20f, good to soft, 1/3) by 3½ lengths from Apache Stronghold. Off 6 months. Makes chase debut.
Made all, led narrowly early until extended advantage before 3rd, 3 lengths clear halfway, still travelling well and in command 2 out, very easily
Clondaw Court - (Thurles, 14:00) 2/5 (Paddy Power) Winner Highly promising individual. 4/6, won 4-runner novice hurdle at this course (22f, soft), kept up to work. Off 10 months. Stable in good form. Outstanding claims.
Made all, soon clear until reduced advantage 3rd, over 8 lengths clear halfway, reduced advantage before 3 out, still travelling well into straight, pushed out from last, easily (op 4/7 tchd 4/9)
Fine Article - (Fairyhouse, 13:25) 0.98/1 (betfair) 3rd Highly promising type. 2nd of 24 in novice hurdle at Naas (20f, soft, 7/4) on hurdles bow 21 days ago. Leading claims in this line-up. Chased leaders, jumped left 3rd, 2nd halfway, got on terms before 4 out where slight mistake, ridden to lead narrowly approaching straight until headed from 2 out where not fluent, struggling in 3rd when mistake last, kept on same pace (op 11/10 tchd 5/4)
Dual winner of Grade 1 novice hurdles last term, including the Royal Bond at this meeting 12 months ago. Cosy winner on return/chase debut here this month and looks the one to beat.
Held up in mid-division until took closer order behind leaders before 4 out, ridden in 5th after 3 out and soon no impression on leaders, kept on one pace from next (op 7/4 tchd 13/8)
Smart over hurdles and made a seamless transition to this sphere when easily landing a 7-runner maiden chase at Down Royal (2½m, good) last month. Very exciting prospect. Disputed early and settled behind leader from 1st, jumped slightly left at times, led from 5th until headed narrowly before 5 out, slight mistake in 2nd 3 out and next, soon no impression on easy winner, kept on same pace (op 4/1 tchd 7/2)
Black Hercules - (Cork, 13:15) 5/4 Winner Smart bumper performer. 1/6, easily won 14-runner novice hurdle at this course (16f, heavy) on hurdles bow 21 days ago. Significantly up in trip. Stable in good form. Another bold show likely.
Shaneshill - (Navan, 12:55) 4/6 2nd Highly promising sort. Won 16-runner novice hurdle (2/11) at Fairyhouse (20f, heavy) on hurdles bow 25 days ago, forging clear. Trainer going well. Big player Held up, took closer order behind leaders before 2nd, raced keenly early, slight mistake 4 out, not fluent disputing close 3rd next, ridden to lead narrowly after 2 out, strongly pressed from last and headed inside final 150yds, no extra closing stages (op 2/5)
Smart chaser. Course winner. 15½ lengths last of 3 to Un De Sceaux in Frank Ward Solicitors Arkle Novices' Chase at Leopardstown (17f, soft, 11/4) 21 days ago. Claims are crystal clear.
Promising sort. 11/8, respectable 1¼ lengths 2nd of 6 to Vedettariat in novice hurdle at Navan (23f, heavy) 23 days ago, needing stronger gallop. Makes handicap hurdle debut. Competitive on form.
Comments
Won maiden point in April 2012. 4/6, won 4-runner novice hurdle at Thurles (22f, soft) in January, kept up to work. Off 10 months. One to keep on right side.
Smart bumper performer who should be very hard to beat on hurdling bow.
Didn’t need to improve to win 4-runner Tattersalls Ireland Champion Novices' Hurdle at Punchestown (20f, good to soft, 1/3) by 3½ lengths from Apache Stronghold. Off 6 months. Makes chase debut.
Highly promising individual. 4/6, won 4-runner novice hurdle at this course (22f, soft), kept up to work. Off 10 months. Stable in good form. Outstanding claims.
Highly promising type. 2nd of 24 in novice hurdle at Naas (20f, soft, 7/4) on hurdles bow 21 days ago. Leading claims in this line-up.
Chased leaders, jumped left 3rd, 2nd halfway, got on terms before 4 out where slight mistake, ridden to lead narrowly approaching straight until headed from 2 out where not fluent, struggling in 3rd when mistake last, kept on same pace (op 11/10 tchd 5/4)
Dual winner of Grade 1 novice hurdles last term, including the Royal Bond at this meeting 12 months ago. Cosy winner on return/chase debut here this month and looks the one to beat.
Smart over hurdles and made a seamless transition to this sphere when easily landing a 7-runner maiden chase at Down Royal (2½m, good) last month. Very exciting prospect.
Disputed early and settled behind leader from 1st, jumped slightly left at times, led from 5th until headed narrowly before 5 out, slight mistake in 2nd 3 out and next, soon no impression on easy winner, kept on same pace (op 4/1 tchd 7/2)
Smart bumper performer. 1/6, easily won 14-runner novice hurdle at this course (16f, heavy) on hurdles bow 21 days ago. Significantly up in trip. Stable in good form. Another bold show likely.
Highly promising sort. Won 16-runner novice hurdle (2/11) at Fairyhouse (20f, heavy) on hurdles bow 25 days ago, forging clear. Trainer going well. Big player
Held up, took closer order behind leaders before 2nd, raced keenly early, slight mistake 4 out, not fluent disputing close 3rd next, ridden to lead narrowly after 2 out, strongly pressed from last and headed inside final 150yds, no extra closing stages (op 2/5)