Racecards
12:15 Fairyhouse (IRE)
Christmas Party Raceday At Fairyhouse Maiden Hurdle
- 6 Runners
- Distance: 2m 4f
- Going: Soft to Heavy, Heavy in places
- Surface: Turf
- €10,000 added
- Winner: €6,900
- 2nd: €1,600
- 3rd: €699
- 4th: €400
- Form 5-
- Age 5
- Weight 11-12
- Trainer A Stronge
- Jockey J L Cullen
in rear, moderate 5th approaching 4 out, moderate 4th approaching next, soon no impression
Lean Times (IRE)
307- Form 142830-
- Age 6
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 114
- Trainer N Meade
- Jockey Paul Carberry
raced in 2nd, travelling well into straight, led before 2 out, headed before last, no impression and kept on same pace run-in
- Form 1-232
- Age 5
- Weight 11-12
- Trainer J G Cosgrave
- Jockey Mr N McParlan
attempted to make all, under pressure into straight, headed before 2 out, soon dropped to 3rd, 2nd again early run-in until soon no extra and eased when beaten
- Form 9-122U
- Age 5
- Weight 11-12
chased leaders in 3rd, closed 4 out, pushed along next, challenged on outer from 2 out, led before last, stayed on well to draw clear run-in
- Form PS6D-R6
- Age 6
- Weight 11-12
- Trainer P M Pierce
- Jockey D N Russell
raced moderate in moderate 5th, 4th before 5 out where pecked, no extra from 3 out
- Form 34-767
- Age 6
- Weight 11-5
- Trainer Peter Fahey
- Jockey A D Leigh
raced in moderate 4th, 5th before 5 out, last approaching next, dropped behind approaching 3 out, completely tailed off
Verdict
ROURKE'S CROSS and Mount Colah both look decent prospects and should have this between them. The former just gets the vote as his second to Sous Le Cieux over this C&D last month was given an enormous boost when the winner subsequently landed a Grade 1. Winning point-to-pointer Mount Colah did well in bumpers before an excellent debut over timber in a huge field at Navan and will be suited by this longer trip but winning bumper Lean Times has yet to prove he handles testing ground. Zelkova Island looks best of the remaining trio.
Formwatch
False Prophet (IRE) 10-1 (12-0) Mid div, rdn but no impress from 3out, 5th of 11, 25l behind New York Ranger (12-0) at Largy 3m ire ptp gd in Apr.
Lean Times (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Led, ridden and headed before 3 out, soon no extra and weakened, 13th of 18, well behind Sweeney Tunes (11-10) at Navan 2m 4f mdn hdl hvy in Feb.
Mount Colah (IRE) 16-1 (11-5) Led, kept on well in straight, strongly pressed and headed early run-in, no impression on winner and kept on same pace, 2nd of 25, 3 1/2l behind Formidableopponent (11-9) at Navan 2m mdn hdl sft in Nov.
Rourke's Cross (IRE) 11-8fav (11-12) Chased leaders, mistake and unseated rider 2nd, in a race won by Local Celebrity (11-12) at Navan 2m mdn hdl, 25 ran.
Zelkova Island (IRE) 40-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, headway into 8th 4 out, ridden and no impression 3 out, moderate 7th entering straight, kept on one pace, 6th of 22, 28l behind Whats On The Menu (11-12) at Punchestown 3m mdn hdl gf in May.
Over The Bar (IRE) 66-1 (10-13) In rear, kept on one paced from 3 out, 7th of 18, well behind Sligo Publican (11-7) at Clonmel 2m 4f mdn hdl hvy.