1:05 Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors ‘€50k Cheltenham Bonus For Stable Staff’ Novice Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m 6f
Ashdale Bob: Second-season novice has recorded two wins over two and a half miles at Navan, the second of which was a six-length win over Fakiera in a Grade 2.
Given he fell early next time out in the Lawlors of Naas Novice Hurdle, that Navan form remains his best measure and though both of the principals in that contest – Holymacapony and Fighter Allen – failed to fire, the third Gabynako, went on to fill that same position behind Bob Olinger at Naas, beaten a similar distance.
Baptism Of Fire: Won his maiden hurdle at the first time of asking when too good for useful stablemate Wide Receiver at Punchestown and upgraded again when third to Fury Road, running out of novice company, in a Grade 2 contest at the same track. Weak in the betting when pulled up in a Limerick Grade 2 over Christmas.
Fakiera: Another taking advantage of second-season novice hurdler status with wins at Fairyhouse and Navan, where he stayed on nicely to get up to beat Fire Attack in the Grade 3 Monksfield Hurdle.
No match for Ashdale Bob over the same course and distance on his latest start, but the longer trip could well help him today, and he has cheekpieces on for the first time also.
Fun Light: Improved from a hurdles-debut second at Down Royal to win a slowly run Fairyhouse heat, but of all the last-time-out maiden hurdle winners in this field, he is probably one of the least impressive so needs a big upgrade today.
Shadow Rider: Knockanard point winner put up a very useful effort on his racecourse debut when third to Ashdale Bob in a Navan maiden hurdle that has worked out very well, given the exploits of the Harrington runner and the likes of Wide Receiver and Folcano.
No mistake when odds-on at Limerick, where he was always travelling strongly from the front and won comfortably. Plenty of potential.
Stattler: Behind Vanillier when beaten on his hurdles debut at Naas but got off the mark at the second time of asking with a decent staying performance from the front over two and a half miles at this course. The extra two furlongs should suit, his trainer said as much (see page 13), but on a line through the form of the runner-up to him the last day, Glens Of Antrim, he will have to improve significantly to lay up with his stablemate Gaillard Du Mesnil.
Vanillier: Built on a hurdles-debut second to Crosshill at Punchestown to win at Naas, where he had Stattler back in third. Progressed again then when a closing-in second to Farouk d’Alene in a two-mile–seven-furlong Grade 2 at Limerick over Christmas. Proven stamina could be key if the ground stays testing and he shouldn’t be discounted.
Cape Gentleman: Irish Cesarewitch winner on just his second start in Ireland, progressing his flat mark to 100, but he is an intriguing proposition now sent hurdling. Smooth winner on his debut when easily accounting for Petibonome at Punchestown and given his staying prowess on the flat, this rise in trip should suit him fine.
Gaillard Du Mesnil: French recruit well beaten by Holymacapony on his hurdles debut at Punchestown but improved significantly since that to win here at Christmas, easily accounting for two subsequent winners, clocking a very good time in the process. That looks strong form for a maiden hurdle and though he has two extra furlongs to travel today, he looks one of the more likely to handle this step up in grade.
Ganapathi: French import did it nicely on his hurdles debut at Cork, notably posting a time significantly better than both Appreciate It and Thedevilscoachman over the same distance on the card. Went to Grade 2 Moscow Flyer next and had just hit the front when swamped by Dreal Deal late on. That was still a good effort for just his second start over hurdles and considering the owner and trainer have the favourite for this race, he is an intruging addition, coming up significantly in trip.
Gentlemansgame: Sold for €250,000 after winning a Cragmore point-to-point in October and made no mistake on his track debut when running out an impressive 21-length winner at Cork. Stepping up in trip now is likely to suit but exciting as he is, he may just lack for experience in this sizeable Grade 1 field.
Holymacapony: Privately bought Kirkistown point winner and looked a horse worth following when eight lengths too good for Gaillard Du Mesnil in a Punchestown maiden hurdle. However, he disappointed when stopping quickly in the Grade 2 Ashdale Bob won at Navan. No real reason for that, but freshened up since, it wouldn’t be a huge surprise to see him bounce back.
Kalkas: Improved from an Irish-debut fifth at Navan when making most to win over two miles at Limerick. He gives the impression that today’s step up in trip will suit but plenty more is needed in this deep field.
Verdict
Gaillard Du Mesnil impressed here at Christmas but this Grade 1 is deep, in quantity and quality, and odds of 5/2 at the time of writing look tight.
His stablemate Ganapathi was given a good mention by his trainer in the Talking Trainer column (pages 12-13) and prices of 16/1 look more than fair given the form he has recorded so far.