She was a winner on the flat in France before we got here, over a mile and a half, so is a nice recruit to hurdling. She goes nicely at home. Obviously a maiden hurdle at Leopardstown is going to be very competitive but we are hoping for the best. We will know a lot more after this but she jumps well and gallops well at home and I can’t wait to get her going. There are a few with race experience already like Butcher Hollow, who ran nicely in Navan and is one to keep an eye on.
There are only five runners but this is a very hot race. Minella Cocooner was a very good novice hurdler in his day. He got beaten on his only run over fences by Classic Getaway at the start of last season and hasn’t been seen since. His jumping is good. He was a free goer over hurdles but seems to have settled down with age.
He lacks a recent run compared with the others here. Fact To File had a nice introduction to chasing in Navan in the middle of November, when he was second to American Mike, and is sure to come on for that run. Zanahiyr has obviously been doing very well over hurdles and sets a very high standard. He was a nice winner at the start of the winter in October in Punchestown. Then he had a very good run behind Bob Olinger in Navan and was beaten by Teahupoo the last day. He will be race fit so will take a bit of beating.
Minella Cocooner is entitled to be in it. He was Grade 1 winner himself in novice hurdles, it’s just a lack of recent runs would be a worry.
Again this is a handy but competitive field. Home By The Lee had a nice run in that Bob Olinger race. He steps back up in trip, which will help him. It’s a track he likes and J J Slevin gets on really well with him. Asterion Forlonge is consistent without winning too many. He was a little disappointing behind Fastorslow over two and a half miles last time where he was dropped in off a steady pace, which wouldn’t have been ideal for him.
Irish Point is the most interesting contender. We know the level of the rest but he is open to the most improvement. He is a Grade 1-winning novice and looks to be tailor-made for this trip. He has to step up to the top table but looks to have all the trademarks to take a hand in this division.
It was obviously disappointing to be beaten in the Punchestown Festival and on his return in the John Durkan. He steps back up in trip here which we think will help. He has schooled very well since, having missed a couple of fences the last day. Nothing came to light. I think he is going to be a lot more comfortable back up in trip.
It’s very competitive with Envoi Allen and A Plus Tard in there. Appreciate It ran such a good race in the John Durkan, Conflated ran well in the Gold Cup, I Am Maximus surprised everyone winning on his last chance in novice races and Gerri Colombe is a Gold Cup candidate. Gerri Colmobe did a lot of things wrong at Down Royal but still managed to win. Then there is our conqueror from the last day in Fastorslow, who has put himself close to the top of the tree.
It’s a huge race. I won’t give up on Galopin Des Champs. I thought to get as close as he did the last day was very positive. I hope he can show us the real Galopin Des Champs.
He’s been campaigned on the flat of late. In all honesty he probably needs a career best. He hasn’t run over hurdles since July 2021. He was a winner that day, but has been disappointing since.
