| No. |
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Selection |
Form |
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Guide |
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- Blue Lemons
- Rachael Blackmore / W P Mullins
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135
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12/1 |
Blue Lemons
Useful on Flat with Richard Hannon but won only on debut from seven attempts; 5-6 when also winning his hurdle debut for new yard in 16-runner maiden at Gowran Park (2m, soft) four weeks ago, always prominent, one bad mistake but asserting in clearcut style on run-in; that was a promising start but this is the toughest race in the division.
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- Charlus
- S F O'Keeffe / W P Mullins
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129
|
66/1 |
Charlus
Three wins and a Listed second in four Flat races (up to 1m2f) in France; fetched 315,000euros in July and next seen when 10-11 in a 16-runner maiden at Naas (2m, soft to heavy) in January, in which he helped set the early pace and went on before final flight, despite looking green; should improve (particularly given Flat form) but the Naas form still leaves him with plenty to find.
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- East India Dock
- Sam Twiston-Davies / James Owen
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155
|
5/4 |
East India Dock
Developed into a useful stayer on the Flat for James Fanshawe and has created an excellent impression in winning his three starts over hurdles; led after two out when he stormed 18l clear in a Grade 2 here in November (good) and made most to score by 10l in another Grade 2 here seven weeks ago (soft); very much sets the standard and it's a good one.
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- Gibbs Island
- Stan Sheppard / T Lacey
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139
|
25/1 |
Gibbs Island
Fairly useful on the Flat in Ireland, busy last year without winning but he's scored for new yard at Sedgefield (2m1f, soft) and Haydock (2m, good to soft) in his only two attempts over hurdles; did it smoothly in a useful, five-runner event last time but this company is far more demanding.
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- Hello Neighbour
- K M Donoghue / G P Cromwell
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144
|
4/1 |
Hello Neighbour
Unbeaten in his two Flat starts (useful prospect at least) and two over hurdles; Grade 2 at Leopardstown (yielding) was hurdle debut, leading before the last and holding on by short head from Lady Vega Allen; hooded for Grade 1 there (soft) six weeks ago and travelled much the best to lead at the last, with Lady Vega Allen (third) again staying on; has the best form among the Irish, a more strongly run race may well suit and he leaves the strong impression of hidden reserves.
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- Larzac
- M P Walsh / W P Mullins
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116
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33/1 |
Larzac
Sixth foal; half-brother to winners Figaroc (2m2f hurdle; fairly useful) and Energie Blue (French 2m1f-2m5f hurdle/chase); 3-1 favourite in a 17-runner conditions event for jumping newcomers at Auteuil (2m2f, heavy) in October, front rank from halfway and looking in charge until collared final strides; joined top connections; stacks of promise but very short on experience.
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- Lulamba
- N de Boinville / N J Henderson
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144
|
11/4 |
Lulamba
Green when 5l winner at Auteuil (2m2f, heavy) in October on sole French start; already backed into favouritism for this race when he made stable debut at Ascot (near 2m, good) eight weeks ago, looking edgy beforehand but professional in the race and produced late on to assert with plenty in hand from Mondo Man; that's not the best form but it was a performance of high promise.
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- Marche D'aligre
- G Sheehan / Jamie Snowden
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125
|
200/1 |
Marche D'aligre
French Flat winner (1m2f, heavy) who won easily on his hurdle debut at Wetherby (2m, good to soft) in November; however, no match for the winner when second in Grade 2 at Chepstow (2m, soft) next time and disappointing from the front behind Gibbs Island at Haydock latest, so he's up against it.
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- Mondo Man
- B S Hughes / G & J Moore
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126
|
33/1 |
Mondo Man
Classy on Flat, finishing fifth in French Derby and fourth at Royal Ascot; left France for 520,000euros and, despite racing far too freely, he briefly asked a question of Lulamba on hurdling debut at Ascot (good); 5-6 at Kempton (good to soft) five weeks later when held up last but he again fought for his head and never quite got to grips with the front two; a more settled display should help him no end and a stronger pace in this race should assist that, as might the new hood.
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- Pappano
- S W Flanagan / W P Mullins
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150/1 |
Pappano
2-8 on Flat for the Gosdens, gelded before showing useful form twice over 1m6f in September/October; sold for 200,000gns in October into the premier jumps yard, but could not make his hurdling debut in a harder juvenile race.
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- Poniros
- Jonjo O'Neill Jr. / W P Mullins
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100/1 |
Poniros
Eight Flat races for Ralph Beckett, winning only on debut but showing useful form at up to 1m4f; made 200,000gns in October; has sometimes been headstrong (one of his best efforts was sole start in a hood) and although he represents notable new connections, he's not jumped a hurdle in public.
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- Too Bossy For Us
- H Cobden / W P Mullins
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50/1 |
Too Bossy For Us
1-8 on Flat for Kevin Philippart De Foy, peak form in 1m6f handicaps on two of last three starts (cheekpieces on final one) and it was useful; sold for 330,000gns in October and gelded; Willie Mullins is mob-handed and this is one of his three who have never contested even one hurdle race.
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- Willy De Houelle
- B Hayes / W P Mullins
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138
|
50/1 |
Willy De Houelle
Ex-French; turned over at 1-4 on yard debut in December (Grade 3) before two supporting roles when hooded (also tongue tied latest) in better races at Leopardstown won by Hello Neighbour; 18-1, held up last in only a partially successful attempt to settle him on latest outing but he ran on into fourth of eight in that steadily run Grade 1, his best form; better may be possible in different circumstances, such as a more strongly run race here.
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- Lady Vega Allen
- P Townend / W P Mullins
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141
|
12/1 |
Lady Vega Allen
Dam half-sister to high-class hurdler Quevega; won in September on her only start in France; stuck to her task admirably at the finish when placed behind Hello Neighbour at Leopardstown in both her races for new connections, short-headed in a Grade 2 on first occasion and one and a half lengths down in a steadily run Grade 1 last time; seemingly the pick (Townend rides) of the Mullins multitude and a greater stamina test here should suit.
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- Lumiere Du Large
- K C Sexton / W P Mullins
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120
|
200/1 |
Lumiere Du Large
Tenth foal; sister to a fair French 7.5f AW winner, half-sister to two winners including Darling Du Large (fairly useful 2m hurdle/chase); dam French 1m-9.5f winner, half-sister to French 2m6f Grade 2 chase winner; won a French Flat race in October; second of eight in maiden hurdle at Pau (2m1f, heavy) in December, nearly winning it despite jumping slowly in last place for first half of the race (she did warm up); looks bound to find big improvement with practice but this is a tough race in which to gain it.
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- Opec
- S Bowen / James Owen
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130
|
150/1 |
Opec
No great shakes on Flat but comfortably won from the front in her first three completed starts over hurdles, including by 8l in a fillies' juvenile Listed event at Newbury (2m, soft); major backward steps, however, against the males in Grade 2s at Chepstow and Kempton.
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- Place De La Nation
- Danny Gilligan / W P Mullins
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116
|
125/1 |
Place De La Nation
Sister to 2m hurdle winner Quais De Paris, half-sister to useful 2m-2m4f hurdle/chase winner Quai De Bourbon; third at Auteuil (2m2f, very soft) in September on debut; second favourite for a mares' maiden hurdle at Fairyhouse (2m, heavy) five weeks ago and was left in second two out, failing to cut any ice against an odds-on stablemate but keeping on well; should improve but that doesn't make her a Triumph principal.
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- Sainte Lucie
- D E Mullins / W P Mullins
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139
|
50/1 |
Sainte Lucie
Third at Auteuil last April; next seen on New Year's Eve when 8-11 for 20-runner maiden at Punchestown (2m, yielding to soft) and she helped set the pace, taking a grip, before racing 11l clear; flopped at Leopardstown six weeks ago but started favourite for that Grade 1 and a hood is enlisted.
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