Future Champions Novice Hurdle 2013

1.50 Leopardstown

Paddy Power Future Champions Novice Hurdle (grade 1) (Class 1)  (4YO plus)

Winner €51,999

Moyle Park: Took the eye when winning bumper at this meeting impressively last year and then moved to Mullins yard from David Harry Kelly, where he won Land Rover Bumper despite hard pulling through the race, fighting off all comers from the front; Deeply impressive on debut over hurdles at Navan despite beating very little but one has to take him seriously here.

The Tullow Tank: Took time to find his stride last year but return to bumpers did him good after being overmatched on hurdling front first twice but unbeaten in last three, a deeply impressive winner at Fairyhouse in March and then game at finish to win maiden hurdle and fiercely contested Royal Bond this season, showing staying power to beat, amongst others, Artic Fire (third) and big form chance here.

Artic Fire: Wide margin winner of minor event on flat in France and looked a prospect when landing Tipperary maiden hurdle by 6 lengths; Couldn’t have been confident he’d win (not asked) when slipping up at Gowran but big run in Royal Bond when eyecatching third having been held up early and struggled for room in the straight and should be thereabouts today.

Art of Payroll: Nowhere on debut in valuable Fairyhouse maiden but won Gowran maiden hurdle on first jumping start; Last of four at Naas latest however and more needed.

King of the Picts: Made some hay in the summer, landing Grade 3 hurdle at Tipperary by wide margin in October before being well beaten at same venue a month later.

The Game Changer: Won on the birdle at Crok and going well when bought down behind Moyle Park at Punchestown; Two from three over hurdles, winning most impressively at Punchestown latest although disappointing time before that; Not ruled out but does need to do some improving.

Gambling Girl: Looks extremely progressive based on deeply impressive pair of hurdles wins, including when spread-eagling her field in Mares’ novice hurdle time before last; Flopped at Fairyhouse latest but looked too bad to be true and not to be ruled out today.

VERDICT: There has been much talk about Moyle Park, who looked every inch a graded horse on his debut at Navan, and much is expected of him, but THE TULLOW TANK presents a most formidable rival and shades a very marginal verdict following his victory in a strong looking renewal of the Royal Bond Novice Hurdle, with Arctic Fire also behind. The Game Changer and Gambling Girl have looked like having he talent to get involved at one stage or another and can’t be completely written off.