Spring Juvenile Hurdle 2012

1.05 Leopardstown

Spring Juvenile Hurdle (grade 1) (Class 1)  (4YO only)

Winner €45,500

Advice: 1 pt win Ut De Sivola (5/2 general)

Asaid: Useful on the flat (rated 80 at his peak) and travelled every inch as well when then winning on his hurdling debut; Second, third and fifth have all won by at least eight lengths since while up and coming trainer has high strike rate, so with Barry Geragthy booked, should be watched closely in the market.

Burrenbridge Lodge: Made an excellent start to life over hurdles and convincing effort when given One Cool Shabra weight and a beating at Cork, form he confirmed just over a fortnight ago; However, well behind Ut De Sivola and Hisaabaat previously before that.

Countrywide Flame: Proved progressive with every single start over hurdles, putting up a career best effort in defeat when second to Hollow Tree at Chepstow last time; That form proven to be very solid and versatile as far as ground’s concerned so should be taken seriously.

Crafty Roberto: Hard to fancy based on fact that he was miles behind Asaid when falling at Huntingdon, and had Newbury win fall into his lap with Grumeti coming down (set to win) and runner up Art History fading badly late.

His Excellency: Has been severely held back by his tendency to swish tail under pressure, running shockers in maiden company before running on Grade 2 second; Masterful ride when delivered late and perfectly to land Grade 2 but this a whole lot stronger and others preferred.

 

Hissaabaat: Decent on flat and acceptable start over hurdles when winning on well close home to finish second behind Sportsmaster at Naas; Twice finished runner up to Willie Mullins inmates, pushing Ut De Sivola all the way before big mistake at least cost him his chance; Solid effort in defeat last time as well although that does leave him a little exposed.

One Cool Shabra: Been on the go since August but improved with every run and made it three wins over hurdles with hard fought win at Gorwan, although that back in December; Readily exposed since though.

Shadow Catcher: Made a great hurdling debut (sent off favourite) when beating Darroun (who made several jumping mistakes, but has won since, which gives him a strong form line into the race); Entitled to improve for that and should make a bold bid.

Sportsmaster: Useful on flat and backed as if defeat was out of question when getting the better of Hisaabaat on first completed hurdling start at Naas; Had enough in hand (won cosily, even if only by a length) there and while improvement needed, shouldn’t be too far away.

Ut De Sivola: Second in three runner French bumper before bolting in on Irish hurdles debut, coming home well clear of exposed rival with tons in hand; Travelled easily but set to be involved in big battle when runner up Hisaabaat made big mistake at last in Grade 3; Possibly he didn’t actually help himself much by pulling very hard; Still has something to prove but should make a bold bid in any case.

Gorgeous Sixty: Useful filly on the level in France, she won twice on both good and heavy ground in France on the flat before being given her debut in Listed company over hurdles; Bolted up in weak race next time but disappointed a little on Irish debut and this asks a whole lot more.

In Bloom: Did much better than any of his previous flat form when winning decent Navan novice hurdle but was at the tail and weakening badly when falling behind three reopposing rivals at Gowran Park and this tougher.

VERDICT: The race that will sort out Ireland’s established contenders for the Triumph Hurdle, with the much hyped Minsk set to make his debut at Fairyhouse later this month. UT DE SIVOLA probably has more questions to answer than not given that he was handed the race by the costly mistake of three time runner up and key form guide Hisaabaat at Punchestown, but if he can settle better than he should still take all the beating and one feels there might be more to come in that situation. He’ll need to in order to beat Shadow Catcher and Sportsmaster, but he had plenty in hand at the finish and should be hard to beat. Take a good note of John Ferguson’s Asaid, who’s highly regarded at home from a string in form, and the solid Countrywide Flame.