Racecards
14:00 Leopardstown (IRE)
woodiesdiy.com Christmas Hurdle (Grade 2) (Class 1)
- 10 Runners
- Distance: 3m
- Going: Soft to Heavy
- Surface: Turf
- €45,000 added
- Winner: €29,250
- 2nd: €8,550
- 3rd: €4,050
- 4th: €1,350
- Form 2465-15
- Age 8
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 150
- Trainer T Mullins
- Jockey D N Russell
led, headed halfway, remained prominent until ridden and lost place 2 out, no impression in 7th entering straight, rallied under pressure from before last, kept on one pace
- Form 18/11P-1
- Age 6
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 143
- Trainer P Nolan
- Jockey Alain Cawley
tracked leaders on inner, 4th halfway, 5th before 2 out, went 3rd under pressure early straight, soon no impression and weakened run-in
- Form 239-108
- Age 10
- Weight 11-8
- Official Rating 150
- Trainer E O'Connell
- Jockey B J Geraghty
always prominent, tracked leader in 2nd until led at halfway, ridden and strongly pressed approaching last, headed early run-in, no chance with winner and kept on same pace
- Form 41-1461
- Age 5
- Weight 11-8
- Official Rating 143
- Trainer E J O'Grady
- Jockey Andrew J McNamara
mid-division, 6th halfway, pushed along approaching 2 out, moderate 4th at last, kept on one pace under pressure
- Form 11-11
- Age 7
- Weight 11-6
- Trainer W J Austin
- Jockey A E Lynch
settled in mid-division on inner, 5th halfway, slight mistake 3 out, close 3rd travelling well next, soon ridden and no extra from early straight
Mourad (IRE)
13- Form 21213-4
- Age 5
- Weight 11-6
- Official Rating 156
- Trainer W P Mullins
- Jockey Paul Townend
held up towards rear, close 7th travelling well approaching 2 out, smooth headway early straight, 2nd and poised to challenge before last, led early run-in and pushed out to assert
- Form 3331P-1
- Age 6
- Weight 11-3
- Official Rating 131
- Trainer D T Hughes
- Jockey P W Flood
mid-division, headway on outer to go 2nd 4 out, ridden approaching straight, soon no extra
- Form 1414-30
- Age 5
- Weight 11-3
- Official Rating 143
- Trainer Mrs J Harrington
- Jockey R M Power
tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, 6th 3 out, ridden and no extra approaching next, behind when pulled up before last
- Form 764FP/0-
- Age 7
- Weight 10-12
- Official Rating 111
- Trainer Laurence Butler
- Jockey T P Treacy
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before last
- Form 521P-3P
- Age 7
- Weight 10-12
- Official Rating 136
- Trainer P Nolan
- Jockey Paul Carberry
in rear, trailing in 9th 3 out, some headway from next, moderate 7th before last, kept on one pace
Previous results
In depth
Verdict
MOURAD is the definite form pick and gets the nod despite the presence of the exciting Mossey Joe. Willie Mullins' charge has only tackled this trip once, when a good third behind Quevega in the World Hurdle at Punchestown in April, but looks well up to the task and his close fourth behind Hurricane Fly and Solwhit in the Hatton's Grace at Fairyhouse a couple of weeks ago will have blown away the cobwebs. Mossey Joe, unbeaten in two point-to-points, a hunter-chase and in a Grade 3 novice hurdle over this trip at Cork, has no stamina limitations and a strong gallop will play to his strengths. He should go well but Oscar Dan Dan is held by the selection on that latest Fairyhouse effort and he in turn has the beating of Moskova. Powerstation beat Oscar Dan Dan narrowly in this a year ago but the latter is 5lb better off and can reverse positions.
Formwatch
Oscar Dan Dan (IRE) 20-1 (11-10) Prominent, 2nd halfway, led briefly entering straight, headed under pressure and no impression in 6th after 2 out, kept on one pace, 5th of 11, 12l behind Hurricane Fly (11-10) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hdl G1 (1) sft.
Shinrock Paddy (IRE) 3-1 (11-10) In touch in 3rd or 4th, 3rd approaching straight, challenged on inner and disputed lead 2 out, led under pressure before last, stayed on best run-in, won at Naas 2m 4f hdl sft in Oct beating Son Amix (10-4) by 1 1/4l, 4 ran.
Powerstation (IRE) 50-1 (11-10) Always towards rear, never a factor, 8th of 11, 18l behind Hurricane Fly (11-10) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hdl G1 (1) sft.
Rigour Back Bob (IRE) 7-1 (11-8) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden in 4th 3 out, stayed on in 3rd last, ran on well to lead run-in, kept on strongly close home, won at Navan 2m 4f hdl G2 (1) sft beating Stonemaster (11-5) by 2 1/2l, 6 ran.
Mossey Joe (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Raced keenly, restrained in rear, improved into 3rd 4 out, led after 3 out, drew clear approaching next, not extended, impressive, won at Cork 3m nov hdl Grd 3 (1) sft beating Fists Of Fury (11-0) by 9l, 6 ran.
Mourad (IRE) 12-1 (11-10) Towards rear on outer, 9th halfway, headway approaching straight, went 2nd briefly 2 out, no impression in 3rd before last, kept on one pace, 4th of 11, 5l behind Hurricane Fly (11-10) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hdl G1 (1) sft.
Rick (FR) 9-2 (11-6) Tracked leader, keen hold, led before 3 out, strongly pressed approaching last, stayed on best run-in, won at Thurles 2m 6f hdl sft in Nov beating Oscar Time (11-1) by 1 1/2l, 6 ran.
Summit Meeting 16-1 (11-10) Chased leaders in 3rd, driven along in 4th before 3 out, soon weakened, last of 11, well behind Hurricane Fly (11-10) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hdl G1 (1) sft.
Garrai Ard (IRE) 20-1 (10-9) Mid-division, 9th before 6 out, no impression under pressure approaching straight, 10th of 13, well behind Barna Bay (11-0) at Killarney 2m 6f nov chs in Jul '09.
Moskova (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) Always behind, pulled up after 5 out, in a race won by Jack The Bus (9-12) at Navan 3m hcp chs 0-150 in Nov, 17 ran.
Alpine Glade (IRE) 6-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, headway in 5th 3 out, improved to challenge 2 out, ridden to lead before last, headed run-in, no extra, lost 2nd close home, 3rd of 6, 2 3/4l behind Rigour Back Bob (11-8) at Navan 2m 4f hdl G2 (1) sft.