Bar One Racing Day 2010 - Royal Bond Novice Hurdle

12.20 Fairyhouse
Bar One Racing Royal Bond Novice Hurdle (Grade 1) (Class 1) (4YO plus)
Winner €52,000

Pick: Zaidpour (win)

Carloswayback: One of a number of horses who made an exciting debut when slamming Knockfierna (dual winner since) by 5 lengths at Limerick in November, not coming of the bridle to do so; Rated one of main players on that basis.

Mount Helicon: Looked like a very smart recruit to the hurdling sphere when dotting up on the bridle first time out and handling step up to 3m with ease when landing a Grade 3 3fevent; Possibly exposed in weak for the grade hurdle at Cheltenham last time, possibly has been dismissed by many too soon.

Perfect Smile: Strong-travelling sort from notably powerful stable who didn't need to be at best to cruise home at Punchestown on reappearance (was fully entitled to do so);Has form smart enough to being him into mix, so given major respect here.

Pineau De Re: Showed no ill-effects from lengthy spell on side-lines when easy winner of Limerick maiden hurdle (was talented bumper performed to solid level 2 seasons back); Should improve for that and not dismissed, although this will be much harder.

The Shepherd King: Began building on bumper promise when making good debut over hurdles at Galway, travelling well before finding enough to win with bit in hand; Needs more than that to eb a threat today but every chance he should do so.

Zaidpour: Very high class recruit to jumping game (Winner on Flat in France for Alain de Royer-Dupre and half-brother to high-class hurdler Zaynar) who created deep impression when routing field by 12 lengths at Punchestown on debut; Field didn’t look to have much strength in depth but considering he was giving nearly stone to runner up, performance arguably best in field and one to beat.

VERDICT: A hard race to get a firm grip on, with all of the runners having a strong claim of some sort. None attracted more attention than ZAIDPOUR when winning on debut though, and he’s taken to make it 2 from 2 at the main expense of Carloswayback and Perfect Smile.