Leopardstown - 27/12/08

[WoodyTHFC]

1.20 Thyne Again 4/1 var 15 pts This is a weak grade 1 imo and in the end I have gone for the second season chaser thyne again. Thyne Again possibly needs a trip now but then again this whole field could do with further than 2m imo or has question marks. Mansony was tried at a former trip and didnt exactly suggest he needs a drop in trip now, certainly his last runs at 2m he needed all of it plus more, natal isnt the most reliable and is on an inflated mark imo due to a good ride more than anything else at punch. last season, big zeb actually beat thyne again over 2m last season on good ground but hasnt had a run of late which doesnt inspire, Watson Lake actually put up a good 2m performance earlier in this season but again ideally is raced over further now. So clearly a few question marks over a lot of these especially with the trip. Thyne Again did win recently over 2m and whilst it was a weak race at least it proved he can do it now which some of these Im not certain can do so. His form last season as novice was solid at times, grade 1 winner in the ire. arkle and not disgraced in the real arkle. According to the figures he has it to find but Im not that sure about that myself, I think a few of these are on inflated marks especailly at this trip, these days. Thyne Again is the pick. 1.55 Hurricane Fly 10/11 pp bog 15 pts Very classy horse this one, indeed one of the class novice hurdlers around so far. Hurricane Fly is yet another smart flat performer running over hurdles. He performed well in grade 2/3s and previously had beaten literato who went onto win a champ. stakes. His early hurdle form looks useful too, he won a grade 3 in france and won a grade 1 nicely lto beating donnas palm who is back today. However a noticeable thing about the win lto was that it was managed despite a slow pace which ideally would have suited the runner up more or least had the potential to do so. Cousin Vinny in third did no harm to the form yesterday and his mere presence encouarges the standard of the form lto even if it was a messy race. Hurrican Fly looks a smart horse already and can add another grade 1 here. 3.00 Chelsea Harbour 20/1 sky 7.5pts e.w 5 places. A difficult task here for chelsea harbour to be top weight and win here with so many in the field and quite a few possible/probable improverers. However one thing chelsea harbour will do, is like conditions, he thrives in these kinds of races generally and whilst possibly requiring even more of a test, these races normally ride hard and require a stayer to win. Chelsea Harbour also is not disasterously handicapped imo especially with conditions fair for him. Looking back to his win at punch. last season, he gave arbour supreme a stack of weight to beat him well despite jumping right handed that day. Now whilst mullins' horse has improved since, he now runs of a similar mark to CH which is remarkable given the weight CH gave him that day and still beat him with. Even his GN run was good for a long way before surprisingly for a horse supposedly stamina made, he didnt quite get home with the jockey indicating afterwards he may have made too much of him. He has put some wins together already so far this season over hurdles and fences and he should give his running and whilst it is possible he may find one or two too good, he shouldnt be that far away.

[mileni4uk]

Re: Leopardstown - 27/12/08 1.55 - Hurricane Fly Beat Donnas Palm last time and the pace didn't really suite, but has the from to beat him again. Looks one of the classiest novice hurdlers and yard is full of winners.