Racecards
14:30 Leopardstown (IRE)
Matheson Hurdle (Grade 1) (Class 1)
- 5 Runners
- Distance: 2m
- Going: Good
- Surface: Turf
- €125,000 added
- Winner: €75,000
- 2nd: €25,001
- 3rd: €12,500
- 4th: €6,250
- Form 31262-6
- Age 6
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 148
- Trainer W P Mullins
- Jockey D E Mullins
towards rear, slight mistake 2nd, some headway on outer after 3 out and close up next, soon pushed along and no impression in 4th entering straight, no extra approaching last, weakened
- Form P/111-13
- Age 5
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 160
- Trainer W P Mullins
- Jockey Paul Townend
disputed lead, jumped big 4th and stumbled badly on landing, soon lost place and pushed along in 4th after next, headway before 2 out, soon no extra and in rear entering straight, eased
- Form 304-442
- Age 8
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 154
- Trainer H De Bromhead
- Jockey Rachael Blackmore
led or disputed lead, left in lead after 4th, pushed along in straight and strongly pressed approaching last, ridden and headed early run-in, soon no impression on winner, kept on one pace
- Form 1311B-4
- Age 6
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 162
- Trainer W P Mullins
- Jockey Mr P W Mullins
towards rear, 4th halfway, headway into 2nd 3 out, smooth progress to challenge early straight, ridden to lead early run-in and kept on well
- Form 2F423-1
- Age 4
- Weight 11-7
- Official Rating 155
- Trainer G Elliott
- Jockey D N Russell
ran 3rd, closer after 3 out, pushed along and no impression early straight, slight mistake last, no extra
Previous results
In depth
Verdict
Last season's champion novice KLASSICAL DREAM was expected to make a successful reappearance in the Morgiana at Punchestown as he went off odds-on but couldn't quicken with Saldier or Petite Mouchoir with Sharjah behind. The latter pair have been successful in this race previously and can never be dismissed but the likely favourite is given a chance to prove that run all wrong. The four-year-old Coeur Sublime looks certain to take high place in the novices' division this season after a demolition job in a Down Royal Grade 2, though he was put in his place by Darasso at Gowran in February. The latter is unbeaten over fences but has also proved himself very useful over timber and looks the type to improve again. Apple's Jade was engaged in the 2.00 here yesterday but would have an obvious chance if turning up here.
Formwatch
Aramon (GER) 9-1 (11-12) Waited with towards rear, not fluent 5th, no extra from before 2 out, last of 6, 37 1/4l behind Klassical Dream (11-12) at Punchestown 2m (1) Yielding in Apr.
Klassical Dream (FR) 2-5fav (11-10) Tracked leader in 2nd, big jump at 1st, 2nd travelling well 2 out, ridden to lead before last, headed at last, dropped to 3rd inside final furlong, no extra, 3rd of 5, 2 1/2l behind Saldier (11-10) at Punchestown 2m (1) sft in Nov.
Petit Mouchoir (FR) 16-1 (11-10) Led, took keen hold, jumped left at 2nd, ridden entering straight, headed before last, 3rd at last, kept on to go 2nd inside final furlong, not trouble winner, 2nd of 5, 1 1/2l behind Saldier (11-10) at Punchestown 2m (1) sft in Nov.
Sharjah (FR) 7-2 (11-10) Tracked leaders disputing 3rd, ridden in 4th entering straight, no impression, 4th of 5, 8 1/2l behind Saldier (11-10) at Punchestown 2m (1) sft in Nov.
Coeur Sublime (IRE) 7-4fav (10-13) Led early, not fluent at 1st, headed 3rd, disputed lead 4 out, led travelling strongly 3 out, quickly went well clear, stayed on strongly run-in, eased inside final furlong, impressive, won at Down Royal 2m (1) Yielding - Soft in Nov beating Coko Beach (10-13) by 15l, 5 ran.
Darasso (FR) Evensfav (11-5) Held up in last, went moderate 4th 4 out, soon pushed along, 3rd on outer entering straight, went 2nd 2 out, ridden to lead approaching last, stayed on well run-in, won at Navan 2m (1) sft in Mar beating Cadmium (11-10) by 2 1/4l, 5 ran.
Apple's Jade (FR) 5-2 (11-3) Tracked leader in 2nd, disputed lead before 3 out, led 3 out, ridden and strongly pressed entering straight, headed before 2 out, 3rd 2 out, no impression on leaders and kept on one pace, 3rd of 6, 13l behind Honeysuckle (11-3) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f (1) Yielding - Soft in Dec.