Racecards
13:20 Leopardstown (IRE)
Knight Frank Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 2) (Class 1)
- 8 Runners
- Distance: 2m
- Going: Soft
- Surface: Turf
- €42,500 added
- Winner: €27,625
- 2nd: €8,075
- 3rd: €3,825
- 4th: €1,275
- Form 111
- Age 3
- Weight 11-1
- Trainer C Kidd
- Jockey M P Fogarty
chased leaders, pushed along 2 out, not much room on inner before straight, soon no impression
Campeador (FR)
179- Form 21
- Age 3
- Weight 10-12
took keen hold, tracked leaders, 2nd from 3rd, pushed along to challenge from before straight, no impression from before last
- Form 721
- Age 3
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer W P Mullins
- Jockey D J Mullins
prominent, 3rd from 3rd, closed up before 2 out, pushed along still in 3rd from early straight, no impression from before last
- Form F13
- Age 3
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer E J O'Grady
- Jockey A E Lynch
chased leaders, 6th and not fluent 2 out, soon no impression, weakened
- Form 11
- Age 3
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer G Elliott
- Jockey D N Russell
held up towards rear on outer, slight mistake 2nd, no impression from 6th, eased straight, tailed off
- Form 1
- Age 3
- Weight 10-5
- Trainer W P Mullins
- Jockey J J Burke
took keen hold, chased leaders, pushed along 2 out, closed in 2nd from before last, challenged on inner run-in, led and kept on well closing stages
- Form 11
- Age 3
- Weight 10-5
- Trainer G P Cromwell
- Jockey R M Power
led, pressed 2 out, attempted to assert approaching last where slight mistake, headed and kept on without matching winner closing stages
- Form 8U53
- Age 3
- Weight 10-5
- Trainer A Keatley
- Jockey L P Dempsey
in rear, pushed along 6th, soon no danger, eased straight, tailed off
Verdict
The last six renewals have produced 12/1, 20/1 and 33/1 winners but the principals should dominate. FOOTPAD just gets the vote as he has a superb pedigree and, after a narrow defeat by a subsequent Grade 2 winner in France, made all for a very impressive debut success for Willie Mullins at Gowran where he had Lagostovegas six lengths behind. Rashaan had beaten the runner-up the same distance at Roscommon in August and has since made massive progress, landing a Grade 3 at Fairyhouse last month by a very long way. Campeador is from a prolific family of winners in France and came home virtually alone at Clairefontaine in June while Jer's Girl followed her Limerick success with a very smooth victory in a Listed contest at Aintree and gets the fillies' allowance. The remainder all have strong form but need to step up a gear.
Formwatch
Rashaan (IRE) 5-1 (10-13) Settled behind leaders, 5th halfway, progress into 2nd entering straight, challenged 2 out, ridden to lead before last, kept on strongly run-in to go clear, impressive, won at Fairyhouse 2m (1) sft in Nov beating Missy Tata (10-2) by 13l, 8 ran.
Campeador (FR) (10-7) won at Clairefontaine 2m 1f sft in Jun beating Capharnaum (10-5) by 15l, 17 ran.
Footpad (FR) 1-5fav (11-0) Made all, travelling well after 2 out and stretched clear run-in, easily, won at Gowran Park 2m mdn sft in Nov beating Lagostovegas (10-7) by 6 1/2l, 7 ran.
Le Vagabond (FR) 10-1 (10-9) Held up, 6th halfway, progress into 3rd before straight, slight mistake and ridden 2 out, no impression before last, kept on same pace, 3rd of 8, 16 1/4l behind Rashaan (10-13) at Fairyhouse 2m (1) sft in Nov.
Officer Sydney (IRE) 3-10fav (11-5) Tracked leader, carried left 1st, led 4th, jinked left before next, clear before 2 out, mistake last, stayed on, won at Perth 2m (4) gf in Sep beating Sunny Purchase (10-12) by 15l, 3 ran.
Apple's Jade (FR) (10-3) won at Vichy 2m gd in May beating Viva Brasilia (10-3) by 5 1/2l, 13 ran.
Jer's Girl (IRE) 2-1fav (10-12) Led after 1st, mistake last, ridden clear, comfortably, won at Aintree 2m 1f lst fll (1) sft in Dec beating Forgiving Glance (10-12) by 10l, 8 ran.
Nice Vintage (IRE) 33-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, slight mistake 2nd, 6th halfway, progress into 3rd entering straight, ridden 2 out, no impression before last, 3rd of 15, 22 3/4l behind Allblak Des Places (11-0) at Fairyhouse 2m mdn hvy in Dec.