Racecards
13:20 Naas (IRE)
Limestone Lad Hurdle (Grade 3) (Class 1)
- 6 Runners
- Distance: 2m 3f
- Going: Soft, Soft/Heavy in places
- Surface: Turf
- €30,000 added
- Winner: €19,500
- 2nd: €5,701
- 3rd: €2,700
- 4th: €900
- Form 3-44B44
- Age 6
- Weight 11-6
- Official Rating 140
- Trainer J P Shanahan
- Jockey Adrian Heskin
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, improved to lead and dispute after 6th, ridden and headed entering straight, no extra in 4th before 2 out, kept on one pace into moderate 3rd before last
- Form 112-411
- Age 5
- Weight 11-4
- Official Rating 148
- Trainer E J O'Grady
- Jockey M P Walsh
held up, ran freely early, 4th halfway, good progress on inner to lead entering straight, pressed 2 out, ridden before last where joined, kept on well run-in
- Form 112-475
- Age 7
- Weight 10-13
- Official Rating 142
- Trainer W P Mullins
- Jockey D J Casey
held up towards rear, progress into 4th 3 out, 3rd entering straight, improved to challenge 2 out, ridden after 2 out, stayed on to join leader last and pecked, no extra run-in and kept on same pace
- Form 36512P-
- Age 10
- Weight 10-13
- Official Rating 127
- Trainer J P Kenny
- Jockey M P Fogarty
led, slight mistake 1st and headed, regained lead after 2nd, slight mistake 5th and disputed, dropped to 5th entering straight, soon no extra
- Form 433-F6F
- Age 8
- Weight 10-13
- Official Rating 132
- Trainer C A Murphy
- Jockey B J Cooper
chased leaders, mistake and dropped to rear 5th, soon reminders, progress into 3rd 3 out, ridden in 2nd entering straight, no extra in 3rd before 2 out, dropped to 4th before last
- Form 333800
- Age 8
- Weight 10-13
- Official Rating 110
- Trainer C A Murphy
- Jockey A P Crowe
prominent, led 1st, headed after 2nd, led and disputed from 5th, dropped to rear 4 out, no extra next, weakened and tailed off
Verdict
King Of The Picts has a penalty for a Grade 3 success though that was back in 2013 and he hasn't won since. It's quite a surprise to see KITTEN ROCK in a Grade 3 as he's looked a young hurdler of the highest class in his two runs this season, scoring at this level on this track before a very easy Listed victory at Limerick. He'll get a thorough test here despite the small field as Glens Melody escapes a penalty by a day for last year's Grade 1 success at Punchestown and has continued to perform with credit at the highest level. Willie Mullins' mare looks an obvious threat in receipt of 5lb and tactics could prove a big part in the outcome. The remaining trio look outclassed.
Formwatch
King of The Picts (IRE) 100-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden and dropped towards rear 2 out, kept on one pace straight, went moderate 4th close home, 4th of 7, 17l behind Hurricane Fly (11-10) at Leopardstown 2m hdl G1 (1) sft in Dec.
Kitten Rock (FR) 4-5fav (11-7) Soon raced in 3rd, closer order after 4th, soon 2nd, led 6th, clear from 2 out, stayed on well run-in, easily, won at Limerick 2m 4yo lst hdl (1) hvy in Dec beating Max Dynamite (11-1) by 14l, 4 ran.
Glens Melody (IRE) 10-1 (11-3) Mid-division, 6th halfway, 4th 2 out, no impression in 3rd approaching last, no extra run-in, 5th of 8, 8l behind Lieutenant Colonel (11-10) at Leopardstown 3m hdl G1 (1) sft in Dec.
Miley Shah (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Led, mistake and headed 5th, in 3rd and mistake 9th, pulled up before 10th, in a race won by Eduard (11-4) at Ayr 2m 4f nov chs G2 (1) gs in Apr, 5 ran.
Rye Martini (IRE) 25-1 (10-4) Mid-division, fell 10th, in a race won by Living Next Door (10-9) at Leopardstown 3m hcap ch hvy in Dec, 26 ran.
Top Spin (IRE) 25-1 (11-7) Soon mid-division, 11th early, no impression from 2 out, 13th of 21, well behind Westerners Son (10-9) at Leopardstown 2m 2f hcp hdl 80-116 sft in Dec.