1

Leopardstown, December 26th

Dartington

(G. Elliott)

A capable dual winner on the flat in Britain, he made a solid start over hurdles to finish fourth to Watch House Cross in the first race of the meeting at Leopardstown.

He was beaten by just under three and a half lengths and should have little difficulty making his mark in a maiden over the coming months.

2

Leopardstown, December 26th

The Gradual Slope

(S. O’Brien)

He showed ability on his first few runs over hurdles and made a very solid start to life in handicaps when beaten just over seven lengths into fourth by The Greek in a competitive novice handicap hurdle last Sunday.

On this evidence, a first success shouldn’t be long in coming his way.

3

Down Royal, December 26th

Ailie Rose

(S.R.B. Crawford)

She followed a second to Hollow Games in a maiden hurdle at this track in late October with another honourable effort which saw her chase home the dual bumper scorer Gerri Colombe.

Her last two runs would suggest this 104-rated mare can make her mark in a maiden this season.

4

Leopardstown, December 27th

Kiki Badger

(Ms. M. Mullins)

A five-year-old son of Ask, he made a bright start to his career to finish third in Monday’s two-and-a-half-mile bumper.

The finish of this race looked to be fought out by a pair of very smart types and this gelding showed that he has a fine future in being beaten by less than five lengths.

5

Limerick, December 27th

Feelgood Island

(P.J. Rothwell)

A capable hurdler, he made a pleasing start over fences to be beaten just over a length into third by King Alex in a well-contested rated novice chase. He looks good enough to make his mark in a similar event this winter.

6

Limerick, December 27th

Eye Van

(M.A. Gunn)

He is still a maiden after seven starts but has run some fine races in defeat and the latest of these came in the Grade 2 novice hurdle won by Eric Bloodaxe.

He looked to be travelling best of all turning for home before eventually fading to be beaten by 10 and a half lengths into fourth. This represented an encouraging effort on his first start since January.

7

Leopardstown, December 28th

Pike County

(Mrs. D. Foster)

On his first run for two and a half months, he shaped much better than the final result when finishing seventh in a competitive-looking handicap hurdle won by Priory Park.

He caught the eye with a strong finishing effort over the last half mile and he will be worth following closely over the coming months.

8

Leopardstown, December 29th

Avec Espoir

(V.T. O’Brien)

On his first outing for three months, he posted a creditable effort to take third in the handicap chase won by Siberian Star at Leopardstown on Wednesday.

This run and his second to Glenquin Castle at Wexford in the autumn would suggest that he can add to the handicap chase success he recorded at Tipperary in the summer.

Leopardstown, December 29th

9

Finest Evermore

(W.P. Mullins)

She was running for the first time in almost 13 months when contesting the Grade 3 mares’ hurdle won by Royal Kahala and shaped quite well in being beaten by just under six lengths into fourth.

After finding herself towards the rear of the field turning for home, she put in some good work in the closing stages and gave the impression she could come on a good deal from this run.

10

Leopardstown, December 29th

Farrawaybay

(M.A. Molloy)

This progressive seven-year-old had to settle for sixth in the handicap hurdle won by Good Time Johnny where she was beaten eight lengths.

However, she ran better than her final position would suggest and would have been closer with a smoother run in the straight. This wasn’t a bad run in a competitive affair and she can be placed to further advantage this winter.