Ryan McElligott

3.20 IRISH STALLION

FARMS EBF MARES

NOViCE HURDLE

CHAMPIOnSHIP FINAL

(GRADE 1) 2M 4F

Bitofapuzzle: A tough and smart mare who won at Grade 2 level over 3m at Ascot in January before running an excellent ½l third to Glens Melody at Cheltenham. She could easily do better still on just her fifth run over hurdles.

Bonny Kate: Followed up a smooth maiden win at Gowran a fortnight ago with a comfortable 5l defeat of a 112-rated rival at Limerick last weekend. She could well do better but much more is required.

Carrigmoorna Rock: After posting a good effort behind Morning Run at Down Royal in November, she captured a listed event at Newbury before then easily accounting for Keppols Queen in a Leopardstown Grade 3. She had a legitimate excuse for a below par showing last time and a return to her best would make her very dangerous.

Dashing Lady: She was in decent form through the summer and autumn, as evidenced by handicap wins at Killarney and Navan but she has a lot to find to find.

Desert Queen: Made a winning debut under rules at Sandown last month before then following up with a 7l win over a 115-rated rival at Fontwell. This is a vastly tougher assignment although she is a mare of some potential.

Keppols Queen: A decent second to Carrigmoorna Rock at Christmas served notice that she could hold her own at graded level and she took a Grade 3 on testing ground at Limerick last time when defeating Lyrical Theatre by 5½l. Ground and longer trip suit and another solid showing is expected.

Lyrical Theatre: She may not have enjoyed the very testing ground when beaten at 1/3 by Keppols Queen at Limerick but her previous 4l second to Morning Run at this track is a good effort and it would be unwise to underestimate her chances.

Rock On The Moor: Four runs over hurdles have yielded a Leopardstown maiden win and a victory over some useful types over 2m 4f at Punchestown in February. She could easily have more to offer and, with the ground and trip no problem, she warrants consideration.

Rons Dream: She has already picked up blacktype in listed races won by The Pirate’s Queen and Uranna. Those runs leave her short of the required standard.

The Pirate’s Queen: She defeated Bitofapuzzle by a neck at Haydock in December and she comes here off a fine fourth to Glens Melody at Cheltenham. Has a little to find against Bitofapuzzle.

Uranna: She followed up a maiden win at Limerick with a near 4l win over Rons Dream in a 2m 4f listed event at Sandown in mid-February. More is needed here but further progress is entirely possible.

Well Tuned: Won a 2m 4f Limerick novice hurdle during the summer and held her form well. She will be all the better for a recent warm up outing on the flat at Dundalk but she has plenty to find.

Dalmatia: Followed a decent first effort over hurdles with a victory in a Clonmel maiden and did better still when running a 6l third to Keppols Queen in a Limerick Grade 3 last time. Needs to find further progress.

Petite Parisienne: Very smart juvenile who won a Leopardstown Grade 1 on her second start before then doing best of the Irish with a 21l fifth to Peace And Co in the Triumph Hurdle. Her form and her weight for age allowance make her a lively challenger.

THE VERDICT

Rock On The Moor has developed into quite a decent mare and, with the form of her latest win looking very solid, she makes plenty of appeal. She is preferred to the solid English challenger Bitofapuzzle while Carrigmoorna Rock and the juvenile Petite Parisienne, who is unproven over this trip, also look to hold strong chances.