SPACE CADET tries to finally break his jumping duck in the two-and-a-half mile maiden hurdle at Fairyhouse on a very ordinary midweek card.
Gordon Elliott’s six-year-old has hit the crossbar on four of his last five outings, chasing home the exciting Up For Review at this course before going under at odds-on at Leopardstown’s Christmas fixture.
This would appear to be a much easier assignment, but Burgas, placed fourth on three occasions in France and with form over fences, has now been snapped up by Gigginstown and makes his Irish debut for Willie Mullins.
Uaintseenothingyet, Barry Geraghty’s only mount at the meeting, is the third player in this 16-runner contest and the Eddie Harty-trained, JP McManus-owned, five-year-old might be the one the other pair should fear most.
There was plenty to like about his third at Naas just over a fortnight ago when, as 50/1 chance, he finished third behind Hurry Henry and Fairly Legal, beaten a neck and five lengths and going best at the finish. How much he has improved might be detected by his strength in the market this afternoon but he could turn out to be a well-named performer and Space Cadet might find the weight concession too much.
Mullins introduces another French-bred in Asthuria, who takes on a maximum field in the two-mile-four-furlong mares’ maiden hurdle after showing promise on her two starts over hurdles last winter at Enghien and Pau. She starts off in moderate company and Asthuria’s experience should stand her in good stead.
The opening six-runner beginners’ chase will not take much winning and Elliott’s Altiepix probably only needs to run to his hurdling rating of 122 to strike, and he now has experience of jumping the bigger obstacles.
De Glebe Star proved his 50/1 second here was no fluke when going one better at Limerick, and is out to thwart Witness Of Fashion’s hat-trick attempt when he reverts to fences in the two-mile-five-furlong handicap chase. Sunsetstorise and Carrow Queen are another pair with chances at this 0-102 level.
Shannak showed his appreciation for stepping back up to two-and-a-half miles by scoring here recently and goes three furlongs further in the 80-109 handicap hurdle, where he must cope with a 10lb rise.
Candle Island and Teachers Pet have chances of sorts but I’m drawn to Overtures off bottom-weight. He’s the only four-year-old in the race but the 13lb weight-for-age allowance is huge at this low level.
There isn’t much winning form to go on in the even lower grade two-mile handicap hurdle but Exit Seven was just pipped here before Christmas and remains favourably treated compared to his chase mark which is 18lb higher than what he is allowed race off here.
In the mares’ bumper it is difficult to overlook the claims of Dixie Lee after her Leopardstown fourth behind Gurteen. Beaten only three-and-a-half lengths there, she shouldn’t have much difficulty in dealing with Peace N’Milan and Routes Choice, while newcomer She’s Otto would have to be smart to overturn her here.
NEVILLE RING
12.45pm: Altiepix
1.15pm: De Glebe Star
1.50pm: Asthuria
2.25pm: Uaintseenothingyet (Dbl)
3pm: Exit Seven
3.35pm: Overtures (Nap)
4.10pm: Dixie Lee
NEXT BEST
12.45pm: Curragh Na Gold
1.15pm: Witness Of Fashion
1.50pm: Commeragh Trix
2.25pm: Burgas
3pm: Mista Wabbit Man
3.35pm: Teacher’s Pet
4.10pm: She’s Otto
