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Better late than never, the review of Friday's race at Down Royal. The preview for tomorrow's contest at Worcester should hopefully be done before bedtime...
Preview review
No preview was written on this contest due to the fact that with temporary accommodation comes temporary sleep. The spreadsheets had been made and the introduction partially written, but further progress was curtailed by absolute fatigue. As such, I can only look at this race in hindsight while applying what may have been my processes going into a more lucid preview. While Albert Camus was an interesting newcomer with a decent pedigree, those coming from John Gosden rarely match their flat exploits in juvenile hurdles. As experience is useful at Down Royal, Whyzzat would likely have been given the strong prospects, although his massive drift in the market would have been a concern. The winner would not have been readily dismissed although the trainer hitherto being without a winner in the sphere would have been a drawback, although her sample size was small and both her prize money per race and improvement figures were respectable. The runner-up, who represented a trainer without a winner in the sphere, and a sire with a very modest record, was the subject of a heavy gamble. There probably would have been plenty to assess had the preview been written, but without same, much would be speculative at this point.
Race review
Northern Ireland, or the North of Ireland, hosted its first juvenile hurdle of the season at Down Royal last Friday. One of three held at the venue each term, Friday's corresponding contest tends not to be as strong as the one held during the Champion Chase meeting; which has been taken in the past decade by Triumph placed Guitar Pete, Coeur Sublime, Mega Fortune, and last season's winner Quilixios. Indeed, nothing coming out of previous renewals have subsequently landed any major juvenile prizes, although Tocororo, second in 2015, and Tudor City, unplaced the same year, did go on to become useful sorts. Friday's contest looked a fairly standard affair overall with the hurdling form being little better than average and the newcomers having patchy profiles. That the previous winner and the highly rated newcomer were both heavy drifters in the market detracted from the race's apparent strength in depth and the field being in a bunch turning for home further denigrates the form. Despite all fifteen runners completing the course, the quality of jumping was fair at best. The winner travelled nicely and won comfortably, but the stability of the form in behind is far from assured.
Realist was formerly trained by Michael Bell, whose former inmates had a healthy winner to runner rate of 29.87% going into this contest. He won one of his eight starts on the flat, a Chelmsford handicap off 65 back in April, and his official rating of 74 was the third highest brought into the race. Shaping like a stayer on the flat, this nephew of Oaks runner-up Flight Of Fancy, herself the dam of two winning hurdlers, gave sire Camelot his first winner of the season, and his trainer her first winner in the sphere on her twenty-sixth attempt. Opening at 8/1, Realist drifted out to 14/1 at the off and while he was calm in the preliminaries, he was one of several who got quite warm at the start. Setting off just behind the leaders, Realist had only a few behind him going along the back - although with Bryan Cooper showing little urgency, this was likely more by design than Realist's racing lazily. Though he still only had one behind jumping three out, Realist needed only to be shoved along to make smooth headway and was within half-a-dozen lengths of the lead at the penultimate flight. He was rather steep going over the last, but he appeared to get more momentum from picking himself up than any impetus commanded by his rider and he crossed the line two very comfortable lengths ahead of the pack. The steep jump at the last was not the only error made during this round of jumping as he was slightly skewed at the first, went marginally to his right at the second, was slow when clipping the fourth, got in tight at the sixth and made his only serious error at three out where he did not get too high and stumbled for a stride on landing. Nevertheless, it would be harsh to decry his hurdling too much, particularly as he was still clever when atoning for his errors. With several of his rivals seemingly underperforming, and the winning time being no better than fair, this performance would not be worth a great deal at face value. Notwithstanding, Realist probably matched his flat mark and with plenty of scope for further improvement, he could be a reasonable recruit to the sphere. 109
Bell Ex One had already faced the starter on sixteen occasions prior to his hurdling debut, but this dual winner had been running consistently since the spring and ran to a new career best last time when landing a fourteen furlong handicap at Galway at the start of the month. Trainer Ray Cody has yet to have a winning juvenile from four and sire Excelebration had a lamentable record of one win from fifty-three starts in the sphere. There were positives on the damline as uncle Loch Long finished third in Punchestown's Champion 4YO Hurdle, the third dam produced Long Walk third Top Spin, and the fourth dam had the good handicap hurdler Roark. Furthermore, Ray Cody earmarked a hurdling career for Bell Ex One after his Galway win and his enthusiasm was reflected in the market as he was back into 13/8 favouritism having been available at 8/1 during the day. Despite having a good size about him, Bell Ex One made several mistakes during his journey as he was close and untidy at the first and fourth, slow when ridden into the fifth and was very steady when close at the next. He was slow again at three out and his trailing his hind legs through the last cost him further momentum. Bell Ex One did travel nicely enough in midfield, although he did not quite have the pace to make any serious inroads prior to the race's conclusion. This was not a bad introduction however, and he should be up to winning a race of this nature given a more demanding test of stamina. 104
Television finished nearer last than first on her three flat outings since her debut in late May, but her rating of 60 did not make her a forlorn prospect for hurdling and she was able to surpass that standard on her third try over hurdles. While she attracted some support through the day, this had been completely negated in the ring as she drifted from 10/1 to double that price at the off. Held up in touch, as she had been on her previous outing at Ballinrobe, Television was close and untidy at the first, and skewed over the second, but jumped without mishap from there. She did not settle particularly well during the contest, but still had Mike O'Connor hard at work from three out. Television was able to gain four places on the run-in, and put up her best performance to date in the process. While she would have to find a weak contest to get off the mark, she can remain competitive in this sphere. Furthermore, although her pedigree suggests otherwise, she shapes as though a sterner test would suit. 96
Albert Camus, after fetching 115,000 guineas at the Tattersalls July Sale, finished his spell at John Gosden's with a rating of 89. This mark, fully deserved during a campaign which saw him win three times in handicaps from ten to twelve furlongs, was much the highest in this line-up and puts him the 97th percentile of all flat recruits in the division. There was also plenty to like about his profile coming into the contest as his new handler had a 27.27% winner to runner rate in the sphere, sire Teofilo had a rate of 34.15% and his cousins include the talented Lord Jim and the winning juvenile Sebastian Beach. Juveniles formerly trained by John Gosden who maintain their flat form over hurdles are in a minority, but this would not justify Albert Camus drifting out to 15/2 having been 2/1 in the morning. Racing fairly keenly in midfield on the outer, he was somewhat novicey over the first few flights and got in tight when slow to get away from the sixth. Still travelling well within himself, he made an almighty blunder at three out where he barely got off the ground, forcing Simon Torrens to sit extremely tight in order to maintain the partnership. Though slightly ponderous at the penultimate flight, he was able to touch down in a marginal lead which he just about maintained after another unassured jump at the last. However, that would spell the end of his race and he was passed by three rivals before reaching the finish line. Albert Camus ran a good couple of stones below his flat best and while he has the credentials to leave this form well behind, this season's better races look beyond his compass at this juncture. 103
Gamigin ran with credit in his first two outings on the flat at Leopardstown and Naas back in April. However, he failed to build on that promise and while he was able to get off the mark on his final start in that sphere, that win came in a modest ten furlong Sligo claimer after which he was bought for €10,000. New trainer James McAuley has had a winner in the sphere from four, and while Dark Angel is no better than fair overall, Gamigin is a nephew of two winning hurdlers and the cousin of another. Unfancied in the market, Gamigin was never far away from the front and took a share of the lead at the distance. However, that would be the extent of his effort and he faded to finish just over five lengths behind in fifth. His cause was not helped by his wandering into the last three hurdles, particularly not at two out where he barely took off. His earlier jumping was not much better either and this would be an area where he would have to improve. Gamigin was not disgraced on his hurdling debut, but given his poor hurdling and inconsistency on the flat, it remains to be seen if he can build on this effort. 100
Virtual Hug was twice placed on the flat, although he never ran beyond a mile in that sphere and had a tendency to pull in his races. Withdrawn from his intended hurdling debut at Ballinrobe due to the ground being on the soft side of good, he was largely unconsidered in the market here. Running in a first time tongue tie, he went straight into the lead where he raced freely, but jumped adequately for much of the contest. His first error came at three out where he was steady and stumbled on landing. From here, he found himself challenged for the lead and while he would still be pitching at the last, his untidy jumping told that he was running on empty and he would fade to an eight length sixth by the line. This was not a bad introduction, but his stamina is rather suspect at this juncture and while this can improve with maturity, he may require sharper tests to be seen to good effect in the near future. 98
Whyzzat won Roscommon's seasonal curtain raiser at the start of the month and although it was not tremendous form, it was solid enough to give him a live chance here. However, his trainer has been going through a lean patch and there was little confidence in the market as he drifted from 9/2 in the morning to 11/1 at the off. He had jumped well on his hurdling debut and there was no cause for complaint in his round here either as he took each flight without mishap. Nor was there anything wrong with the way he travelled as he settled well just behind the leaders and was always close enough if good enough. While improvement between first and second outings would generally be a given, it would be an exaggeration to describe this as a flop as he was only a few pounds below his Roscommon performance. Trainer form might be the most plausible explanation although it could also be that he was feeling the effects of this being his thirteenth race of the year. 103
Lunar Power, representing a Noel Meade yard coming off a fine season in the division, was his trainer's highest rated recruit of the new campaign to the tune of over a stone. His mark of 72 was the result of win at Dundalk in April followed by a succession of second placings in handicaps at Leopardstown and Galway over distances between thirteen and fifteen furlongs. Sire Power had a strong winner to runner rate in the sphere of 33.33%, and a remarkable improvement rate of 85.71%. Half-brother Mariners Moon was only a modest winning chaser, but he is a cousin of useful winner Red Force One along with Zoffany who is a good sire in the division. Such a profile saw Lunar Power backed into second favouritism, but his performance can only be regarded as disappointing. Held up in the rear, he was slow when hopping over the first and very steady at the second. Although his hurdling tidied up over the next few, his progress through the field was leisurely and his being big and skewed over three out only added to his task. Plugging on in the closing stages to get within nine lengths of the winner, Lunar Power shaved very much like he would be suited by a more demanding test of stamina. However, since his decent flat form came on good ground, it is yet to be established whether he can get by on soft ground, or will need distances unavailable to him prior to the new year. 97
Alice Kitty was well fancied ahead of her hurdling debut at Roscommon where she was making her first appearance since being claimed out of Jessica Harrington's yard for €5,000. However, she took a real clattering when falling at the first and would make it no further at the second time of asking when (softly) unseating at Killarney. These experiences saw her sent off at 22/1 here and racing in the rear, she was steady at the first. Slow jumping would repeat itself on numerous occasions and while she passed a few beaten horses in the straight, she never threatened to make an impression. Unless she is able to gain confidence over hurdles, Alice Kitty may be better served by a return to the flat. 84
Grey Angel was another representative of Noel Meade, but had little flat form as a two-year-old and jumped poorly on her first appearance of 2021 at Roscommon where she was well beaten. Starting at 150/1, she raced towards the rear of midfield. While she was big and slightly skewed at the first and wandered into the fourth, her jumping was better this time around. She was also baulked at the second and fifth before making minor headway in the closing stages. This was an improvement on her debut outing, but the performance merely matches her modest two-year-old form and she still has plenty to find going forward. 83
Supposedtobe failed to win on the flat, but went into his hurdling debut at Killarney with decent credentials and was not disgraced in finishing third to Feigh. Though he drifted through the day's exchanges, he was subject to some support in the ring being clipped from 10/1 to 7/1. Settled well enough in mid division, he was steady and tight over the first and got close to the second, but otherwise hurdled reasonably well. He was still in the leading bunch turning for home but completely downed tools under pressure and weakened to a seventeen length eleventh crossing the line. Supposedtobe has the ability to be competitive in the sphere, but his attitude thus far has been far from encouraging. 88
Erikson is a cousin of capable hurdlers Wajaaha and Taaresh, but he fetched only 3,500 guineas at the Gainsborough dispersal at the Tattersalls February sale and showed next to nothing on his sole flat outing earlier in the month. Sent off at 125/1, he was held up towards the rear and jumped slowly throughout before finishing tired. 73
Burren Shore was making his racecourse debut here and while trainer Stuart Crawford has yet to have a winner in the sphere, his charge was not completely unfancied at 20/1. Sire Moohaajim's sole previous juvenile hurdler was the winning Recent Revelations, granddam Dochas won a maiden hurdle as a four-year-old before producing the fair Crystal Earth, while 2002 Triumph winner Scolardy appears at 5/3 on the damline. However, none of these genetic credentials would make an appearance here. Sent off into a prominent position, Burren Shore raced freely, wandered and stumbled at the first, was untidy over the second and fourth, got in close to the next two and his jumping completely fell apart over the last couple of flights. His position had been lost with half a mile left to run and he was ultimately beaten thirty-seven lengths. Burren Shore may develop with time, but there is no immediate promise on this evidence. 69
War Thunder began his career with Richard Hannon and if his Sligo third back in May is to be believed, he would not be a forlorn hope in the sphere. However, there is little pointing towards hurdling success in his pedigree and after losing his rider at the first at Killarney, he made another mistake at the next without a rider. Initially held up in midfield here, he managed to get baulked over the first three while also jumping big by his own volition. Dropping to the rear, his hurdling did not gain fluency for a clearer path and he was labouring a long way out before beating just one rival home. 64
Guest was tailed off on his sole start as a two-year-old, and since left Ken Condon to join a yard that has yet to have a winner in the sphere from two. Unfancied on his hurdling debut at Roscommon, he was detached after getting badly hampered at the first and pulled up before halfway. Sent off the rank outsider here, he raced prominently and though he was fresh, there was little wrong with his hurdling. However, he was losing his position four furlongs from home and after getting hampered at three out, came home in his own time. Guest is probably better than this, but he has not shown enough to be competitive any time soon. 45
Preview review
No preview was written on this contest due to the fact that with temporary accommodation comes temporary sleep. The spreadsheets had been made and the introduction partially written, but further progress was curtailed by absolute fatigue. As such, I can only look at this race in hindsight while applying what may have been my processes going into a more lucid preview. While Albert Camus was an interesting newcomer with a decent pedigree, those coming from John Gosden rarely match their flat exploits in juvenile hurdles. As experience is useful at Down Royal, Whyzzat would likely have been given the strong prospects, although his massive drift in the market would have been a concern. The winner would not have been readily dismissed although the trainer hitherto being without a winner in the sphere would have been a drawback, although her sample size was small and both her prize money per race and improvement figures were respectable. The runner-up, who represented a trainer without a winner in the sphere, and a sire with a very modest record, was the subject of a heavy gamble. There probably would have been plenty to assess had the preview been written, but without same, much would be speculative at this point.
Race review
Northern Ireland, or the North of Ireland, hosted its first juvenile hurdle of the season at Down Royal last Friday. One of three held at the venue each term, Friday's corresponding contest tends not to be as strong as the one held during the Champion Chase meeting; which has been taken in the past decade by Triumph placed Guitar Pete, Coeur Sublime, Mega Fortune, and last season's winner Quilixios. Indeed, nothing coming out of previous renewals have subsequently landed any major juvenile prizes, although Tocororo, second in 2015, and Tudor City, unplaced the same year, did go on to become useful sorts. Friday's contest looked a fairly standard affair overall with the hurdling form being little better than average and the newcomers having patchy profiles. That the previous winner and the highly rated newcomer were both heavy drifters in the market detracted from the race's apparent strength in depth and the field being in a bunch turning for home further denigrates the form. Despite all fifteen runners completing the course, the quality of jumping was fair at best. The winner travelled nicely and won comfortably, but the stability of the form in behind is far from assured.
Realist was formerly trained by Michael Bell, whose former inmates had a healthy winner to runner rate of 29.87% going into this contest. He won one of his eight starts on the flat, a Chelmsford handicap off 65 back in April, and his official rating of 74 was the third highest brought into the race. Shaping like a stayer on the flat, this nephew of Oaks runner-up Flight Of Fancy, herself the dam of two winning hurdlers, gave sire Camelot his first winner of the season, and his trainer her first winner in the sphere on her twenty-sixth attempt. Opening at 8/1, Realist drifted out to 14/1 at the off and while he was calm in the preliminaries, he was one of several who got quite warm at the start. Setting off just behind the leaders, Realist had only a few behind him going along the back - although with Bryan Cooper showing little urgency, this was likely more by design than Realist's racing lazily. Though he still only had one behind jumping three out, Realist needed only to be shoved along to make smooth headway and was within half-a-dozen lengths of the lead at the penultimate flight. He was rather steep going over the last, but he appeared to get more momentum from picking himself up than any impetus commanded by his rider and he crossed the line two very comfortable lengths ahead of the pack. The steep jump at the last was not the only error made during this round of jumping as he was slightly skewed at the first, went marginally to his right at the second, was slow when clipping the fourth, got in tight at the sixth and made his only serious error at three out where he did not get too high and stumbled for a stride on landing. Nevertheless, it would be harsh to decry his hurdling too much, particularly as he was still clever when atoning for his errors. With several of his rivals seemingly underperforming, and the winning time being no better than fair, this performance would not be worth a great deal at face value. Notwithstanding, Realist probably matched his flat mark and with plenty of scope for further improvement, he could be a reasonable recruit to the sphere. 109
Bell Ex One had already faced the starter on sixteen occasions prior to his hurdling debut, but this dual winner had been running consistently since the spring and ran to a new career best last time when landing a fourteen furlong handicap at Galway at the start of the month. Trainer Ray Cody has yet to have a winning juvenile from four and sire Excelebration had a lamentable record of one win from fifty-three starts in the sphere. There were positives on the damline as uncle Loch Long finished third in Punchestown's Champion 4YO Hurdle, the third dam produced Long Walk third Top Spin, and the fourth dam had the good handicap hurdler Roark. Furthermore, Ray Cody earmarked a hurdling career for Bell Ex One after his Galway win and his enthusiasm was reflected in the market as he was back into 13/8 favouritism having been available at 8/1 during the day. Despite having a good size about him, Bell Ex One made several mistakes during his journey as he was close and untidy at the first and fourth, slow when ridden into the fifth and was very steady when close at the next. He was slow again at three out and his trailing his hind legs through the last cost him further momentum. Bell Ex One did travel nicely enough in midfield, although he did not quite have the pace to make any serious inroads prior to the race's conclusion. This was not a bad introduction however, and he should be up to winning a race of this nature given a more demanding test of stamina. 104
Television finished nearer last than first on her three flat outings since her debut in late May, but her rating of 60 did not make her a forlorn prospect for hurdling and she was able to surpass that standard on her third try over hurdles. While she attracted some support through the day, this had been completely negated in the ring as she drifted from 10/1 to double that price at the off. Held up in touch, as she had been on her previous outing at Ballinrobe, Television was close and untidy at the first, and skewed over the second, but jumped without mishap from there. She did not settle particularly well during the contest, but still had Mike O'Connor hard at work from three out. Television was able to gain four places on the run-in, and put up her best performance to date in the process. While she would have to find a weak contest to get off the mark, she can remain competitive in this sphere. Furthermore, although her pedigree suggests otherwise, she shapes as though a sterner test would suit. 96
Albert Camus, after fetching 115,000 guineas at the Tattersalls July Sale, finished his spell at John Gosden's with a rating of 89. This mark, fully deserved during a campaign which saw him win three times in handicaps from ten to twelve furlongs, was much the highest in this line-up and puts him the 97th percentile of all flat recruits in the division. There was also plenty to like about his profile coming into the contest as his new handler had a 27.27% winner to runner rate in the sphere, sire Teofilo had a rate of 34.15% and his cousins include the talented Lord Jim and the winning juvenile Sebastian Beach. Juveniles formerly trained by John Gosden who maintain their flat form over hurdles are in a minority, but this would not justify Albert Camus drifting out to 15/2 having been 2/1 in the morning. Racing fairly keenly in midfield on the outer, he was somewhat novicey over the first few flights and got in tight when slow to get away from the sixth. Still travelling well within himself, he made an almighty blunder at three out where he barely got off the ground, forcing Simon Torrens to sit extremely tight in order to maintain the partnership. Though slightly ponderous at the penultimate flight, he was able to touch down in a marginal lead which he just about maintained after another unassured jump at the last. However, that would spell the end of his race and he was passed by three rivals before reaching the finish line. Albert Camus ran a good couple of stones below his flat best and while he has the credentials to leave this form well behind, this season's better races look beyond his compass at this juncture. 103
Gamigin ran with credit in his first two outings on the flat at Leopardstown and Naas back in April. However, he failed to build on that promise and while he was able to get off the mark on his final start in that sphere, that win came in a modest ten furlong Sligo claimer after which he was bought for €10,000. New trainer James McAuley has had a winner in the sphere from four, and while Dark Angel is no better than fair overall, Gamigin is a nephew of two winning hurdlers and the cousin of another. Unfancied in the market, Gamigin was never far away from the front and took a share of the lead at the distance. However, that would be the extent of his effort and he faded to finish just over five lengths behind in fifth. His cause was not helped by his wandering into the last three hurdles, particularly not at two out where he barely took off. His earlier jumping was not much better either and this would be an area where he would have to improve. Gamigin was not disgraced on his hurdling debut, but given his poor hurdling and inconsistency on the flat, it remains to be seen if he can build on this effort. 100
Virtual Hug was twice placed on the flat, although he never ran beyond a mile in that sphere and had a tendency to pull in his races. Withdrawn from his intended hurdling debut at Ballinrobe due to the ground being on the soft side of good, he was largely unconsidered in the market here. Running in a first time tongue tie, he went straight into the lead where he raced freely, but jumped adequately for much of the contest. His first error came at three out where he was steady and stumbled on landing. From here, he found himself challenged for the lead and while he would still be pitching at the last, his untidy jumping told that he was running on empty and he would fade to an eight length sixth by the line. This was not a bad introduction, but his stamina is rather suspect at this juncture and while this can improve with maturity, he may require sharper tests to be seen to good effect in the near future. 98
Whyzzat won Roscommon's seasonal curtain raiser at the start of the month and although it was not tremendous form, it was solid enough to give him a live chance here. However, his trainer has been going through a lean patch and there was little confidence in the market as he drifted from 9/2 in the morning to 11/1 at the off. He had jumped well on his hurdling debut and there was no cause for complaint in his round here either as he took each flight without mishap. Nor was there anything wrong with the way he travelled as he settled well just behind the leaders and was always close enough if good enough. While improvement between first and second outings would generally be a given, it would be an exaggeration to describe this as a flop as he was only a few pounds below his Roscommon performance. Trainer form might be the most plausible explanation although it could also be that he was feeling the effects of this being his thirteenth race of the year. 103
Lunar Power, representing a Noel Meade yard coming off a fine season in the division, was his trainer's highest rated recruit of the new campaign to the tune of over a stone. His mark of 72 was the result of win at Dundalk in April followed by a succession of second placings in handicaps at Leopardstown and Galway over distances between thirteen and fifteen furlongs. Sire Power had a strong winner to runner rate in the sphere of 33.33%, and a remarkable improvement rate of 85.71%. Half-brother Mariners Moon was only a modest winning chaser, but he is a cousin of useful winner Red Force One along with Zoffany who is a good sire in the division. Such a profile saw Lunar Power backed into second favouritism, but his performance can only be regarded as disappointing. Held up in the rear, he was slow when hopping over the first and very steady at the second. Although his hurdling tidied up over the next few, his progress through the field was leisurely and his being big and skewed over three out only added to his task. Plugging on in the closing stages to get within nine lengths of the winner, Lunar Power shaved very much like he would be suited by a more demanding test of stamina. However, since his decent flat form came on good ground, it is yet to be established whether he can get by on soft ground, or will need distances unavailable to him prior to the new year. 97
Alice Kitty was well fancied ahead of her hurdling debut at Roscommon where she was making her first appearance since being claimed out of Jessica Harrington's yard for €5,000. However, she took a real clattering when falling at the first and would make it no further at the second time of asking when (softly) unseating at Killarney. These experiences saw her sent off at 22/1 here and racing in the rear, she was steady at the first. Slow jumping would repeat itself on numerous occasions and while she passed a few beaten horses in the straight, she never threatened to make an impression. Unless she is able to gain confidence over hurdles, Alice Kitty may be better served by a return to the flat. 84
Grey Angel was another representative of Noel Meade, but had little flat form as a two-year-old and jumped poorly on her first appearance of 2021 at Roscommon where she was well beaten. Starting at 150/1, she raced towards the rear of midfield. While she was big and slightly skewed at the first and wandered into the fourth, her jumping was better this time around. She was also baulked at the second and fifth before making minor headway in the closing stages. This was an improvement on her debut outing, but the performance merely matches her modest two-year-old form and she still has plenty to find going forward. 83
Supposedtobe failed to win on the flat, but went into his hurdling debut at Killarney with decent credentials and was not disgraced in finishing third to Feigh. Though he drifted through the day's exchanges, he was subject to some support in the ring being clipped from 10/1 to 7/1. Settled well enough in mid division, he was steady and tight over the first and got close to the second, but otherwise hurdled reasonably well. He was still in the leading bunch turning for home but completely downed tools under pressure and weakened to a seventeen length eleventh crossing the line. Supposedtobe has the ability to be competitive in the sphere, but his attitude thus far has been far from encouraging. 88
Erikson is a cousin of capable hurdlers Wajaaha and Taaresh, but he fetched only 3,500 guineas at the Gainsborough dispersal at the Tattersalls February sale and showed next to nothing on his sole flat outing earlier in the month. Sent off at 125/1, he was held up towards the rear and jumped slowly throughout before finishing tired. 73
Burren Shore was making his racecourse debut here and while trainer Stuart Crawford has yet to have a winner in the sphere, his charge was not completely unfancied at 20/1. Sire Moohaajim's sole previous juvenile hurdler was the winning Recent Revelations, granddam Dochas won a maiden hurdle as a four-year-old before producing the fair Crystal Earth, while 2002 Triumph winner Scolardy appears at 5/3 on the damline. However, none of these genetic credentials would make an appearance here. Sent off into a prominent position, Burren Shore raced freely, wandered and stumbled at the first, was untidy over the second and fourth, got in close to the next two and his jumping completely fell apart over the last couple of flights. His position had been lost with half a mile left to run and he was ultimately beaten thirty-seven lengths. Burren Shore may develop with time, but there is no immediate promise on this evidence. 69
War Thunder began his career with Richard Hannon and if his Sligo third back in May is to be believed, he would not be a forlorn hope in the sphere. However, there is little pointing towards hurdling success in his pedigree and after losing his rider at the first at Killarney, he made another mistake at the next without a rider. Initially held up in midfield here, he managed to get baulked over the first three while also jumping big by his own volition. Dropping to the rear, his hurdling did not gain fluency for a clearer path and he was labouring a long way out before beating just one rival home. 64
Guest was tailed off on his sole start as a two-year-old, and since left Ken Condon to join a yard that has yet to have a winner in the sphere from two. Unfancied on his hurdling debut at Roscommon, he was detached after getting badly hampered at the first and pulled up before halfway. Sent off the rank outsider here, he raced prominently and though he was fresh, there was little wrong with his hurdling. However, he was losing his position four furlongs from home and after getting hampered at three out, came home in his own time. Guest is probably better than this, but he has not shown enough to be competitive any time soon. 45
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