Racecards
13:15 Leopardstown (IRE)
Leopardstown Christmas Hurdle (Grade 1) (Class 1)
- 7 Runners
- Distance: 3m
- Going: Soft
- Surface: Turf
- €100,000 added
- Winner: €59,999
- 2nd: €20,000
- 3rd: €10,000
- 4th: €5,000
- Form 21243-4
- Age 9
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 154
- Trainer W P Mullins
- Jockey Mr P W Mullins
ran 5th, closer after 3 out, pushed along and no extra after 2 out, soon weakened and pulled up before last
- Form 27168-6
- Age 7
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 155
- Trainer W P Mullins
- Jockey Paul Townend
always rear, not fluent 7th, pushed along and no impression after 3 out, no extra when not fluent next, weakened and pulled up before last
- Form 62-1321
- Age 5
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 150
- Trainer G P Cromwell
- Jockey J M Moore
made all and soon clear, reduced advantage 5th and slight mistake next, 4 lengths lead halfway, pushed along entering straight and edged left after jumping last, ridden and kept on well run-in
- Form 11514-2
- Age 5
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 149
- Trainer M F Morris
- Jockey Rachael Blackmore
chased leader, 3rd halfway, headway into 2nd 3 out, ridden and no impression on winner approaching last where not fluent, no extra run-in
- Form 11143-1
- Age 6
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 151
- Trainer G Elliott
- Jockey Sean Flanagan
chased leader, 2nd halfway, 4th and pushed along before 2 out, ridden and no impression approaching last, kept on one pace run-in
- Form 8/4941-1
- Age 8
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 158
- Trainer G Elliott
- Jockey Mark Walsh
chased leader, 4th halfway, pushed along and closer in 3rd before 2 out, ridden and no impression approaching last, went 2nd at last, kept on one pace, dropped to 3rd close home
- Form P11211
- Age 9
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 153
- Trainer G Elliott
- Jockey D F O'Regan
towards rear, not fluent 2nd, slight mistake 3 out, pushed along after next and 5th entering straight, no impression before last, ridden and kept on well run-in to go 2nd close home
Previous results
In depth
Verdict
Gordon Elliott has won the last three of these with Apple's Jade and holds a very strong hand this time. Sire Du Berlais beat stable companion and subsequent Grade 1-winning chaser The Storyteller in the Pertemps Final at Cheltenham and looked to have a bit in hand over runner-up French Dynamite on his comeback in the Grade 2 Lismullen Hurdle at Navan last month. He'll take some beating but another stablemate, FURY ROAD, has more scope after just six runs over timber. A close third behind Monkfish in the Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham, he looked even better on his reappearance in a Punchestown Grade 2 and can gain his first victory at the highest level. Ronald Pump started favourite in the Lismullen and was there with a chance when falling at the last. He's since finished strongly behind Honeysuckle over 2m4f in the Hatton's Grace at Fairyhouse and will ensure the Elliott duo don't have things their own way.
Formwatch
Bacardys (FR) 14-1 (11-12) Waited with, soon raced in 5th, in touch in rear before 4 out, chased leaders and disputed 3rd before 2 out, 4th and one pace from last, 4th of 6, 3 3/4l behind Honeysuckle (11-5) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f (1) sft in Nov.
Bapaume (FR) 14-1 (11-10) Rear of mid-division, closer halfway and headway to track leaders 4 out, 3rd and ridden after 2 out, no impression last, no extra run-in, 6th of 17, 12 1/2l behind Daly Tiger (10-11) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp Soft - Heavy in Nov.
Flooring Porter (IRE) 22-1 (10-6) Prominent, led soon after 1st, went on approaching 6 out, reduced lead from 4 out, joined approaching straight, soon regained lead, not fluent 3 out, went on again 2 out, mistake last, stayed on well run-in, comfortably, won at Navan 3m hcp sft in Dec beating The Bosses Oscar (10-7) by 12l, 20 ran.
French Dynamite (FR) 10-1 (11-4) Led, attempted to assert from 2 out, reduced lead and headed over 100yds out, one pace, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Sire Du Berlais (11-7) at Navan 2m 4f (1) Soft - Heavy in Nov.
Fury Road (IRE) 4-11fav (11-10) Made all, raced in clear lead, reduced advantage from 4 out, not fluent last and soon pushed along, ridden and kept on well close home, won at Punchestown 2m 6f (1) hvy in Nov beating Dewcup (11-1) by 3 1/2l, 5 ran.
Sire Du Berlais (FR) 9-2 (11-7) Chased leaders, soon 5th, headway and effort straight, led over 100yds out, stayed on well, won at Navan 2m 4f (1) Soft - Heavy in Nov beating French Dynamite (11-4) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
The Storyteller (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) Waited with, moderate 8th after 6th, slightly slow 8th, took closer order approaching 11th, challenged and almost on terms between last 2, stayed on well run-in to lead near line, won at Down Royal 3m (1) Yielding in Oct beating Chris's Dream (11-12) by nk, 9 ran.
Ronald Pump 11-1 (11-12) Soon tracked leaders on inner, soon disputed 3rd, pushed along before straight, stayed on well run-in, 2nd near line, not reach winner, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Honeysuckle (11-5) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f (1) sft in Nov.
Sixshooter (IRE) 5-2 (11-4) Prominent, soon 3rd, pushed along before straight, soon closed and effort, 3rd again and one pace run-in, 3rd of 8, 3 3/4l behind Sire Du Berlais (11-7) at Navan 2m 4f (1) Soft - Heavy in Nov.