Kevin Blake

12.55 GAIN SPRING

JUVENILE HURDLE

(GRADE 1) 2M

Allblak Des Places: A French import, he arrived to Fairyhouse for his Irish debt with a big reputation, but was decidedly workmanlike in victory and arguably a bit lucky to win on the day. He could well improve from that and shouldn’t be totally ruled out.

Best Kept Secret: Rated just 53 on the flat and while he showed promise on his hurdling debut at Punchestown, his jumping let him down at Naas last time. Needs to improve significantly.

Footpad: A French import who has won two of his three Irish starts, finishing third in Grade 2 company over this course and distance in between. Will need to have improved again to go close.

Ivanovich Gorbatov: Rated 103 after just three starts on the flat, he made an exceptionally impressive hurdling debut in a maiden hurdle at Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting, jumping notably well and seeing off the strongly-fancied Let’s Dance with plenty to space. The one to beat.

Rashaan: Created an excellent impression in winning his first three starts over hurdles by wide margins, but proved disappointing on more testing ground in Grade 2 company at Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting. This less testing surface could well help him, but needs to bounce back.

Jer’s Girl: Won her first two starts over hurdles in good style and was slightly unfortunate to be nailed on the line by Apple’s Jade in a Grade 2 contest at Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting. Soft ground is important to her and there is little to suggest that she won’t go well again in this stronger contest.

Lagostovegas: Rated 70 on the flat and made it fourth time lucky over hurdles when winning a maiden at Naas in January. Had previously finished behind a few rivals that re-oppose here, so improvement will be needed from her.

Let’s Dance: A French import who was strongly-fancied to make a winning Irish debut in a maiden hurdle at Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting, but proved no match for Ivanovich Gorbatov on the day.