Hatton's Grace Hurdle 2013

2.15 Fairyhouse

Bar One Racing Hatton's Grace Hurdle (grade 1) (Class 1)  (4YO plus)

Winner €51,999

Advice: 3 pts Rule The World w/o Jezki (10/11 Paddy Power)

Dedigout: Had the look of a pretty decent chaser in the making two seasons ago but never quite got his fences right last year when beaten in Drinmore and failing to make any real impression barring Powers Gold Cup second; Returned to some sort of form when winning Grade 2 latest but this a step up in class and others make more appeal.

Jezki: Right up with the best of last year’s very strong looking crop of novice hurdlers, winning Royal Bond here and Leopardstown Grade 1 at Christmas in dominating fashion before Supreme Novice Hurdle third (that form reversed emphatically when Champagne Fever well below form at Punchestown); Very fresh and keen but never in danger of being turned over on recent reappearance at Down Royal, and should be set up nicely for him; Main question is new trip for him, although ground in his favour and shapes as if going further in his range; One to beat although settling a priority today.

Rule the World: Not put a foot wrong in short career, winning Slaney Novice Hurdle (Champagne Fever went wrong) by wide margin before being a clear second best behind The New One in Neptune; Went wrong at Punchestown but appears to be back just fine after good reappearance win and should make a bold bid here; Like the others, has a confirmed stamina advantage over favourite Jezki.

Zaidpour: Won one of his 2 Grade 1’s in this race last year but didn’t pull up many trees afterwards and now beginning to look exposed; Well behind twice at Auteil in summer and more needed on ground that’s quick enough for him.

Diakali: No match for Our Conor twice last year (may have run below himself at Cheltenham) but a game winner of 4yo Grade 1 at Puchestown and looked a happy horse at this trip when he romped home in French equivalent to Triumph Hurdle; Return at Naas was as easy as expected and not to be dismissed out of hand; May get an easy lead.

VERDICT: Champion Hurdle hope JEZKI is in the dark against four confirmed stayers – and good ones at that – today, but if Jessica Harrington’s charge settles and stays she looks the best of them. Much will depend on how the race is run, with a strong pace likely to test his stamina more today, and Neptune second Rule the World looks his biggest danger and looks the bet in the ‘without market’ with Zaidpour possibly wanting softer ground and Dedigout a useful horse for all that today’s ground is even quicker than the surface he look the Lisumllen on last time. Diakali might be the best trading option.