1.55 Leopardstown
paddypower.com iPhone App December Festival Hurdle (Grade 1) (Class 1) (4YO plus)
Winner €58,500
Pick: Hurricane Fly (win)
Hurricane Fly: Has only run 2 times in open company, which is testament to how difficult he can be to get fit; Immensely talented, having run down Solwhit off the back of a 273 day absence on only second run in open company in the Rabobank Champion Hurdle, and possibly even bettered that when beating him over his preferred trip and ground in the Hatton’s Grace last time out, and should prove much harder to beat at this trip.
Luska Lad: Really made hay last season, winning 5 races over hurdles, 3 of them being Grade 2 events (all strong form); Returned in exemplary style when giving 9lbs and an easy beating to Gimil’s Rock; Below par when well beaten 4th last time and needs more to make a serious mark here, although he’s got his conditions today.
Solwhit: Top class and near infallible hurdler who claimed his sixth Grade 1 success when landing the Dobbins and Madigans Hurdle for the second straight time in November; Ran as solid a race an ever when second to Hurricane Fly in the Hatton’s Grace, but he was brushed aside and has it harder at this trip.
Thousand Stars: Improved out of all recognition last season, landing 2 handicap hurdles before bouncing back from his Pierse Hurdle disappointment with a win in the Country Hurdle and a third behind Solwhit and Hurricane Fly in the Rabobank Champion Hurdle; Didn’t find things to his liking in France and is likely to need this.
Won In The Dark: Grade 1 winner who performed with credit last season(won twice) and was fourth in Aintree Hurdle; Runs well fresh but likely few of these will prove too good.
VERDICT: Back at his ideal trip, HURRICANE FLY is the overwhelming choice to confirm his form with Solwhit from their meeting in the Hatton’s Grace. Thousand Stars and Luska Lad are no slouched.
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