One of many races at various locations in Ireland and Britain over the Christmas period in which visibility was poor due to fog. The form looks useful, rather than better than that, and the sectionals suggest the pace was reasonable, the winner’s final 4f of 57.62s coming out at a 101.5% finishing speed. The overall time was a bit slower than the 2 useful maiden hurdles that preceded it and only slightly quicker than the handicap which followed – that is, not all that good in relative terms – with the hurdles course appearing to be “good to soft”.
HELLO NEIGHBOUR (h142 here, unraced hurdles previously) had won both his races on the flat late in 2024 (at 14f then 10f) and justified heavy support on what was his hurdling debut, always close up, leading between the last 2 and all out as the second came at him. This was an excellent start though perhaps not the strongest of Grade 2 form.
LADY VEGA ALLEN (h134 here, ? previously) had won a hurdle in the French Provinces on her only previous outing and this was very likely significant improvement under a patient ride, improving 2 out and almost getting there for pressure on the run-in. Improvement and further wins could well be forthcoming.
SONY BILL (h132 here and previously) had built up plenty of experience over hurdles in France, winning twice and coming second in a listed event at Auteuil, and ran to a similar level in this, his Irish debut despite some clumsy jumping out in front, headed before the last.
NATURALLY NIMBLE (h133 here, 134 previously) possibly did not achieve a huge amount in winning at long odds at Fairyhouse but confirmed himself as useful under a patient ride, improving 2 out then one paced. He was a reliable type on the flat and may still be capable of better over hurdles.
ITS BILBO (h128 here, 123 previously) improved a bit on the form of his Punchestown win despite seeming to find things happening plenty quickly, always in mid-field and niggled by an early stage.
WILLY DE HOUELLE (h126 here, 144? previously) had clearly been useful in France, where his form had been about 16 lb better than Sony Bill (third here), but he’s not covered himself in glory in 2 runs in Ireland, too close to a strong pace the time before and finding little after initially pulling hard here.
PRAIRIE ANGEL (h107 here, 118 previously) made mistakes and was always behind.
MURCIA (h106+ here, 136 previously) will surely do better than this in due course, a listed winner in France and one of best juveniles there, but relinquishing the lead with a slow jump at the second and dropping away late on here.
MO GHILLE MAR(h87 here, unraced hurdles previously)
STAR RUNNER (h0 here, 120 previously)
