Woodiesdiy.com Christmas Hurdle 2013

1.50 Leopardstown

Woodiesdiy.com Christmas Hurdle (grade 1) (Class 1)  (4YO plus)

Winner €51,999

Advice: 2 pts win Solwhit (8/11 Boylesports, Bet Victor)

Mala Beach: Remains open to further progress following promising novice season where he beat Defy logic at Fairyhouse following second to Bright New Dawn; Came to win race and had less in the tank than appeared there would be at Navan latest but should come on for that and can run well.

Rule The World: One of the leading novices last year, winning Slaney Novice Hurdle by wide margin before Neptune Hurdle second behind The New One; Serious pelvic injury threatned his season but seemed as if all was well when winning on return but couldn’t raise a leg at Fairyhouse latest; If at his best today, has to be given a chance today but lot to be taken on trust.

Solwhit: Took advantage of Big Bucks’ injury to become the top staying hurdler last year, winning World Hurdle in clear cut style before following up at Aintree in really good style; Couldn’t lay a hand on Gemix at the end of the season but long way clear of the rest, including Zaidpour, that day and will take the beating despite lack of a run.

Whatuthink: Ran his biggest race of the season in this last year but seems out of sorts and hard to recommend in any way.

Zaidpour: Second in this last year following Hatton’s Frace win and didn’t run as well in anything afterwards; Well behind Solwhit in France when they last met but solid second in Hatton’s Grace ad can go well once again for all that it’s hard to see form reversal.

VERDICT: The lack of a recent run is a worry for SOLWHIT but with such a clear form advantage over Zaidpour and Rule the World’s recent run needing explanation, he can prove too good. Mala Beach can put a big showing forward.