Racecards
13:45 Leopardstown (IRE)
Dornan Engineering Christmas Hurdle (Grade 1) (Class 1)
- 11 Runners
- Distance: 3m
- Going: Soft (Yielding in places)
- Surface: Turf
- €100,000 added
- Winner: €60,000
- 2nd: €20,000
- 3rd: €10,000
- 4th: €5,000
- Form 52F14-3
- Age 7
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 157
- Trainer G Elliott
- Jockey Jack Kennedy
towards rear, moderate 5th at 6th, took closer order in 4th after 3 out, no impression and weakened in moderate 4th 2f out
- Form 001-5F1
- Age 7
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 152
- Trainer G Elliott
- Jockey B J Cooper
raced 3rd behind clear leader, not fluent at 5th, mistake in moderate 3rd at 6th, lost place before 3 out, ridden in rear after 3 out, weakened and detached 2 out, pulled up before last
- Form 2111P-F
- Age 6
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 164
- Trainer G P Cromwell
- Jockey D E Mullins
tracked clear leader in clear 2nd,took closer order at 2nd, no impression on leader before last, ridden and kept on run-in, held
- Form 1/3120-3
- Age 5
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 147
- Trainer G Elliott
- Jockey D N Russell
mid-division, moderate 6th at 6th, progress in 5th after 3 out, no impression in moderate 4th before last, weakened run-in
- Form 11135/1-
- Age 7
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 164
- Trainer W P Mullins
- Jockey Paul Townend
led and clear, reduced advantage at 2nd, not fluent at 4th, increased lead before 8th, reduced lead 3 out, travelled well before last, driven out
- Form 28P171/
- Age 7
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 154
- Trainer W P Mullins
- Jockey J B Foley
in rear, moderate 8th at 6th, progress after 3 out, under pressure and weakened after 2 out
- Form F23-525
- Age 8
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 156
- Trainer M J Smith
- Jockey Keith Donoghue
ran 4th behind clear leader, 5th before 4th, dropped to moderate 7th at 6th, mistake 3 out, weakened and detached 2 out
Saldier (FR)
30- Form 678-115
- Age 7
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 162
- Trainer W P Mullins
- Jockey Brian Hayes
rear, hampered after 4th, bad mistake at 5th and pulled up
- Form 52/F31-0
- Age 7
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 152
- Trainer M F Morris
- Jockey Aidan Coleman
towards rear, mistake in 8th at 4th and unseated rider
- Form 41/132-2
- Age 9
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 160
- Trainer G Elliott
- Jockey Mark Walsh
rear, moderate 9th at 6th, under pressure after 7th, took closer order after 3 out, no impression and weakened after 2 out, pulled up before last
- Form 11/7-70
- Age 5
- Weight 11-5
- Official Rating 143
- Trainer W P Mullins
- Jockey Rachael Blackmore
rear of mid-division, progress at 2nd, moderate 4th before 4th, took closer order in 3rd after 3 out, no impression on principals in moderate 3rd after 2 out, one paced, no extra run-in
Previous results
In depth
Verdict
Flooring Porter won this last year before beating Sire Du Berlais just over three lengths in the Stayers' Hurdle at Cheltenham. He was nowhere near his best when pulled up behind KLASSICAL DREAM (NAP) in the Punchestown equivalent but was in the lead and travelling well when falling two out at Navan last month. The latter produced a brilliant performance at Punchestown on his first start beyond 2m2f, leading before the last and sprinting clear. He had Ronald Pump and Saldier behind that day and will take the world of beating. Gordon Elliott has four entries with preference for Abacadabras, who beat Buzz in the Grade 1 Aintree Hurdle in April and could be suited by the longer trip..
Formwatch
Abacadabras (FR) 11-2 (11-12) Rear of mid-division, 5th before 7th, progress to 3rd before 2 out, no impression on principals, ridden and kept on same pace before las, 3rd of 8, 12 1/4l behind Honeysuckle (11-5) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f (1) gd in Nov.
Commander Of Fleet (IRE) 40-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, headway to dispute lead 2 out, soon ridden and led, clear after last, kept on well inside final furlong, reduced advantage close home, won at Navan 3m hcp Yielding in Dec beating A Great View (10-3) by 2 1/2l, 23 ran.
Flooring Porter (IRE) 7-4fav (12-0) Led and took keen hold, clear at halfway, reduced advantage entering straight, joined 3 out, disputing lead and every chance travelling well when fell 2 out, at Navan 2m 4f (1) gd in Nov.
Grand Roi (FR) 10-3 (11-12) Tracked leader in 2nd, improved to dispute lead travelling well 3 out, ridden and strongly pressed when left in front 2 out, joined before last, headed at last, no impression on winner and dropped to 3rd inside final furlong, 3rd of 5, 7 1/2l behind Darasso (11-7) at Navan 2m 4f (1) gd in Nov.
Klassical Dream (FR) 5-1 (11-12) Mid-division early, slight mistake 3rd, soon raced in 6th, went 3rd travelling smoothly approaching straight, led approaching last, quickly asserted and slight mistake, ridden out and stayed on well run-in, won at Punchestown 3m (1) Yielding in Apr beating James Du Berlais (11-11) by 9l, 14 ran.
Mr Adjudicator 11-8fav (8-8) Tracked leaders, 5th halfway, pushed along and progress to lead 2f out, ridden over 1f out and 2 lengths lead 150 yards, kept on, won at Galway 1m 4f hcp gd in Aug beating Camphor (8-10) by 3/4l, 12 ran.
Ronald Pump 3-1 (11-7) Prominent, led 5th, pressed and ridden home turn, weakened before last, 5th of 8, 18l behind Champ (11-7) at Ascot 3m (1) gs in Dec.
Saldier (FR) 9-1 (11-12) Mid-division, bumped rival at 2nd, 4th before 7th where not fluent, no impression on leaders 3 out, weakened after 2 out, 5th of 8, 31 3/4l behind Honeysuckle (11-5) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f (1) gd in Nov.
Sams Profile 9-4 (12-0) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, close up before 2 out, mistake last, soon no extra, weakened and eased, 10th of 11, dist behind Sixshooter (12-0) at Galway 2m 7f sft in Oct.
Sire Du Berlais (FR) 3-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders in 3rd, mistake 6th, ridden in 3rd after 3 out, 4th when hampered and left 3rd 2 out, 3rd at last, kept on without threatening winner to go 2nd inside final furlong, 2nd of 5, 6l behind Darasso (11-7) at Navan 2m 4f (1) gd in Nov.
Burning Victory (FR) 11-4fav (11-9) Rear of mid-division, ridden in 12th 3 out, weakened, 16th of 23, 25 3/4l behind Commander Of Fleet (11-10) at Navan 3m hcp Yielding in Dec.