13:50 Leopardstown

Wednesday 27 December 2017

All12:1012:4013:1513:5014:2515:0015:35

Paddy Power Future Champions Novice Hurdle (Grade 1)

  • 4YO plus  |   Class 1  |   2m  |   Soft (Yielding in places)  |   7 Runners  |   Turf  |   Weighed In
  • Off time: 13:51  |   Winning time: 4m 0.5s
1st
Horse silk
7
9/1
T: W P MullinsJ: D J Mullins
In rear, soon detached, some headway in 6th from 3 out, 4th approaching straight, soon moderate 3rd and no impression until left in lead from last, stayed on well run-in op 10/1
2nd
Horse silk
19
2
8/1
T: J P O'BrienJ: B J Geraghty
Soon tracked leaders, 4th approaching 4th, soon closed up, disputed 2nd from 3 out, dropped to moderate 4th and no impression straight, left 2nd and kept on same pace from last op 10/1
3rd
Horse silk
1
1
511-10
25/1
T: G ElliottJ: D N Russell
Disputed lead early, soon led, headed before 5th, dropped to 5th from 3 out, soon no impression, left 3rd and kept on same pace from last op 33/1
4th
Horse silk
52
3
33/1
T: W P MullinsJ: Alexis Poirier
Disputed lead early, prominent, 3rd after 3rd, soon lost place, last from 3 out and no extra, left 6th from 2 out and distant 4th from last op 25/1

Also Ran

RO
Horse silk
4
1/1f
T: G ElliottJ: J W Kennedy
Soon tracked leaders, 2nd approaching 4th, led before next, not fluent 3 out, ran out 2 out op 5/4 tchd 11/8
F
Horse silk
5
11/4
T: W P MullinsJ: P Townend
Tracked leaders early, dropped to 6th and pushed along approaching 4th, improved into 4th from 3 out, left in lead from next, strongly pressed straight and narrowly headed when fell last op 2/1 tchd 3/1
F
Horse silk
6
411-7
8/1
T: W P MullinsJ: Mr P W Mullins
Held up in touch, 5th approaching 4th, closed up to be prominent 3 out, soon disputed 2nd, travelling smoothly straight and slight lead when fell last op 7/1

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Betting Breakdown

Tote Win:€6.60Pl:€2.30, €3.00EX:€51.60Trifecta:€477.40SF:€75.50

Forecasts

Mengli Khan (1/1), Real Steel (11/4), Le Richebourg (8/1), Sharjah (8/1), Whiskey Sour (9/1), Hardline (25/1), Makitorix (33/1)

Verdict

Mengli Khan sets the standard on the back of his Royal Bond success at Fairyhouse this month. He was backed like a good thing that afternoon and obliged without any great fuss, ensuring his credentials are clear. REAL STEEL however made a very impressive debut at Thurles for the Mullins team and gets the nod form Paul Townend from a quartet of Closutton contenders in this. The trainer/jockey team claimed this 12 months and with potential for significant improvement, can do so again. Sharjah isn't overlooked in the Ricci colours having won two from two over timber and, as a winner on the Flat, would be suited should this get tactical.
  1. Real Steel
  2. Mengli Khan
  3. Sharjah

Previous Winners

2016
Saturnas
Weight: 11-10  |Age: 5
9/2

Prize Money

1st: €50,150.002nd: €16,150.003rd: €7,649.004th: €3,400.005th: €1,700.006th: €849.00

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