Royal Bond Novice Hurdle 2011

12.50 Fairyhouse

Bar One Racing Royal Bond Novice Hurdle (Grade 1) (Class 1)  (4YO plus)

Winner €48,750

Advice: 1 pt win Sous Les Cioux (13/8 general) 

Gaileo’s Choice: Comfortably the best of these on the flat, dropping down to 10 furlongs to win the Group 3 Kilternan Stakes, beating useful yardstick with bit in hand; Already experienced over hurdles, winning at the Galway Festival when all out just to hold 125 rated runner up; Should go well although been off since Group 3 win and might be suited by better ground.

Il Fenomeno: Has group 3 winning form on the flat in Italy, and didn’t shape without promise when fifth and fourth on two very tough hurdles tasks last season; Impressive attitude to win twice this year, notably when beating stablemate in Navan Grade 3 last time out, and should go well here.

Sous Les Cieux: French import who suffered stress fracture when beaten on debut (odds on); Showed he’d recovered when unextened to come home in his own time and win by 6 lengths in weak maiden hurdle, but that still impressive and speaks volumes that he’s dropped in trip and upped in grade today.

 

Midnight Game: Highly useful on the flat, runner up twice at Listed level and winner twice otherwise; Didn’t make expected winning debut when beaten by Corbally Ghost, who bumped into him in home straight; Needs more than that but improvement wouldn’t surprise.

Dazzling Susie: Fourth in Champion Bumper at Punchestown but not built on that back in mares company over hurdles, disappointing since her maiden hurdle win over C&D on good ground; Others preferred.

Miss Nomer: Game mare who took note of Dazzling Suzie’s disappointment when running out a ready winner of Grade 3 Mares Novices Hurdle; This a marked step up in class though.

VERDICT: Gaileo’s Choice was the best of these by some way on the flat and would make much more appeal with a recent run and better ground. As things stand he could take the beating anyway, but he could have to give best to Il Fenomeno and SOUS LES CIOUX, both of whom have race fitness on their side and are proven to handle this kind of ground. Il Fenomeno has a good and willing attitude, but the hint that Wille Mullins thinks Sous Les Cioux is good enough to handle a drop down in trip and step up in grade being taken.