13:30 Limerick (IRE) 29 Dec 2021
Boylesports Sporting Limerick Hurdle
grade 2 | Class 1 | 4YO only
Winner €21,000 - 6 ran
led, joined entering straight, pushed along and headed before 2 out where not fluent, soon ridden and no impression, rallied to press leader run-in, kept on well to lead final 50 yards
tracked leader in 2nd, on terms entering straight, led before 2 out, pushed along to assert and 3 lengths clear when jumped big at last, soon ridden and strongly pressed, kept on well, headed final 50 yards
tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden and no impression on principals disputing 3rd 2 out, mistake last, kept on one pace, 3rd close home
chased leaders, 4th halfway, not fluent 6th, ridden and no impression on principals disputing 3rd 2 out, kept on one pace, 4th close home
held up towards rear, 5th halfway, not fluent 4 out, ridden and no impression when slight mistake 2 out, no extra
always behind, never a factor, not fluent 1st and 4th, mistake 3 out, soon ridden and no extra
Betting returns
| Type | Winnings |
|---|---|
| Betfair SP | €1.65 |
| CSF | €2.37 (2, 1) |
| Win | €1.60 (2) |
| Place | €1.10 (2), €1.10 (1) |
| Exacta | €2.40 (2, 1) |
| Trifecta | €3.50 (2, 1, 4) |
Expert Analysis
An intriguing enough showdown between two smart hurdlers, but it featured a pedestrian gallop for a long way, with the winning time around a furlong slower than that recorded by an ordinary novice in the race that followed, and a cautious view of the form has been taken.
TEAHUPOO (h139+ here, 152 previously) should continue to do well just below the top level, a willing attitude digging him out of trouble here after the runner-up appeared to have his measure. He set a slow pace, was headed before 2 out and went about 3 lengths down but jumped the last slickly and got back up under pressure.
QUILIXIOS (h140+ here, 153 previously) was far from discredited conceding 2 lb to a smart rival but failed to hold on after looking all over the winner (touched 20/1 on in running), quickening to lead going to 2 out and about 3 lengths up when losing a bit of momentum at the last, unable to pick up again and headed close home.
SLIP OF THE TONGUE (h125+ here, 133 previously) was third-best in the betting and in the race itself, acquitting himself with some credit though outpaced when things finally heated up.
IN FROM THE COLD (h124+ here, 124 previously) at least matched his previous hurdling form and was useful on the flat so may deserve more credit than that, some headway to edge third for much of the closing stages, one paced late on. He is likely to prove best at 2m.
VARNA GOLD (h103 here, 122 previously)
ROSE OF BORRIS (h0 here and previously)
