1.55 Leopardstown
Ballysteen: Supplemented comfortable success in Cork bumper
with easy hurdling debut at the same track, and once again stepped up when
third behind Lord Windermere at Punchestown latest; Well held by Dylan Ross on
that form though and this a harder test.
Dylan Ross: Really impressive on hurdling debut and lost
little caste when beaten by stablemate Il Fenomeno at Navan; Travelled strongly
but unable to quicken past useful looking type at Punchestown; Notable his
impressive win came on good ground and the drier the better for him.
Sous Les Cieux: French import who suffered stress fracture
when beaten on debut (odds on); Showed he’d recovered when unextended to come
home in his own time and win by 6 lengths in weak maiden hurdle, but that still
impressive; Dropped in trip and upped in class for Royal Bond Hurdle but
travelling much the best in the straight and won well after being challenged by
listed flat winner; Should take the beating.
Cash And Go: Useful bumper horse, winning by seven lengths,
ending up fourth in decent Listed event (winner second in Grade 1 company at
end of year) and then third again in good contest; Two from two over hurdles
and got better of Jenari in prolonged battle up the straight, so entitled to
respect, despite fact this looks a lot tougher.
Formidableopponent: Only one start over hurdles (prolific
and unlucky in points) but super impressive when coming from a long way back
and going wide to win easily in maiden hurdle at Navan; That form poor but
undeniably impressive and worth the step up in class; Trainer has said he might
want better ground to show his true colours but if taking his chance,
respected.
Paddypower.com Future Champions Novice Hurdle (grade 1) (4YO
plus)
Winner €52,000
Advice: 1 pt Formidableopponent w/o Sous Les Cieux (11/4 Paddy Power)
Ballysteen: Supplemented comfortable success in Cork bumper
with easy hurdling debut at the same track, and once again stepped up when
third behind Lord Windermere at Punchestown latest; Well held by Dylan Ross on
that form though and this a harder test. Dylan Ross: Really impressive on hurdling debut and lost
little caste when beaten by stablemate Il Fenomeno at Navan; Travelled strongly
but unable to quicken past useful looking type at Punchestown; Notable his
impressive win came on good ground and the drier the better for him. Sous Les Cieux: French import who suffered stress fracture
when beaten on debut (odds on); Showed he’d recovered when unextended to come
home in his own time and win by 6 lengths in weak maiden hurdle, but that still
impressive; Dropped in trip and upped in class for Royal Bond Hurdle but
travelling much the best in the straight and won well after being challenged by
listed flat winner; Should take the beating.Cash And Go: Useful bumper horse, winning by seven lengths,
ending up fourth in decent Listed event (winner second in Grade 1 company at
end of year) and then third again in good contest; Two from two over hurdles
and got better of Jenari in prolonged battle up the straight, so entitled to
respect, despite fact this looks a lot tougher. Formidableopponent: Only one start over hurdles (prolific
and unlucky in points) but super impressive when coming from a long way back
and going wide to win easily in maiden hurdle at Navan; That form poor but
undeniably impressive and worth the step up in class; Trainer has said he might
want better ground to show his true colours but if taking his chance,
respected.
VERDICT: An intriguing renewal. Sous Les Cioux is obviously
the one to beat but a price of 1-2 leaves no room for manoeuvre and at that
price it’s hard not to forget the same connection’s defeat of Zaidpour last
season. These horses aren’t the same but it’s still something to be noted when
dealing such cramped odds. Upon confirmation that he will run, Cash and Go has
seen support but FORMIDABLEOPPONENT was just as impressive (if not more so
visually) when bolting up on his debut at Navan, and he’s well worth a step up
in class. The drier the ground the better according to his trainer Noel Meade,
but it didn’t ride too testing yesterday and he’s an exciting prospect.
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