Leopardstown - 2/3/08

[WoodyTHFC]

1.55 Rare Bob 15 pts, may do e.w if possible esp. as this one is continually placed. Put this up a few times with its fourth last season behind De Valira, Catch Me and Sizing Europe top form now and it could look better 12th March. This season solid placed efforts over shorter, seemingly just finding one too quick at the crunch so increased trip imo a positive, also a touch unlucky lto as error second last lost all chance of win, stayed on after that though so that again suggest trip should help. Only problem is that in such a stupidly huge and dangerous field is may find a couple too good again so take e.w if possible. 2.25 Our Matti Hurdle bow. Do not know how it will react but I do know it was a good bumper performer, did it once too on similar conditions to today so no concern there, form lto was beaten by Champ bumper fav at fest ival so that speaks volumes and interesting they are running it now at this stage of the season to lose its novice hurdle status possibly. Is something planned or do they just want it over fences as soon as possible next season without full novice hurdle campaign? 3.25 Raise Your Heart RPF 8/1 7.5 pts e.w Fisrt run in handicap and on the face of it as stiff mark and whilst of its weight could find one too good I think it could run well. Lto was absolutely cruising in a Grade 2 in testing conditions but could not quite pick up and ended fourth. Possibly felt exertions of a run just a week earlier at the end of the race so a months break should help for this event. Given it is just its third hurdle start I think there could be more to come and might be good enough to go close on handicap bow. 4.25 Perce Rock 15 pts. Decent bumper form and on better ground too so not just a mudlark. Very impressive on chase bow, jumped well that day. Since then has the disappointing record of two falls and last one was when it was beaten over a trip that looked to far lto behind the sadly injured but undoubtedly best novice chaser this season anywhere in Glencove Marina. Drop in trip should help today, smaller field can help sometimes with jumping although this one has fallen when just facing 9 rivals in last two starts so then again maybe not. On first chase win it is up to winning this, has it to prove but now is its chance to do so.