Ryan McElligott

1.15 TATTERSALLS

IRELAND SPRING

JUVENILE HURDLE

(GRADE 1) 2M

Espoir D’Allen: High-class sort who is unbeaten in four starts since coming to Ireland and has already won at Grade 3 and Grade 2 level. Each of those wins has been achieved in comfortable fashion so we have yet to see the summit of his ability and he sets a fine standard for his biggest test to date.

Farclas: Intriguing flat recruit from France who posted a cracking effort on his hurdling debut to get to within 1¼l of Espoir D’Allen in a Grade 2 here in December. He could progress well from that first jumping experience which would put him in with a live chance of victory.

Mitchouka: Reliable type who has won three times over hurdles as well as posting two solid efforts in defeat behind Espoir D’Allen. He can be relied upon to run his usual sound race but there isn’t any reason why he should reverse form with his old rival.

Mr Adjudicator: Capable dual flat winner who looked a fine recruit to this discipline when winning well over this course and distance over Christmas. This is far tougher but his jumping debut marked him out as a potentially leading light amongst the juvenile hurdlers so he commands maximum respect.

Tenth Amendment: In two starts over hurdles he has run to a solid standard and he will be up to making his mark over timber but he is safely held by Espoir D’Allen on their meeting here at Christmas.

Grey Waters: Experienced dual winner over hurdles and didn’t run at all badly when fourth to Espoir D’Allen in a Grade 2 juvenile hurdle here at Christmas. However, that effort still leaves her with plenty to find against a few of these and there are stronger candidates in the line-up.

Verdict

A race that brings together three of the brightest talents in this division and a chance is taken on Farclas.

His second to Espoir D’Allen here at Christmas represented a most encouraging debut effort over hurdles and he will surely have progressed from that.

He is marginally preferred to Gavin Cromwell’s admirable charge.

Mr Adjudicator looked good when winning a maiden here in December and a strong challenge should be forthcoming from him.