1. Leopardstown
Leopardstown
Leopardstown Racecourse
Racecourse
Racecourse
NOEL MEADE: gained compensation for that when winning a maiden chase at Na-
van in November and is likely to be a serious contender for the 3m
Horses to follow
Grade 1 novice chase at Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting.
Options remain open with regard to the trips he tackles, but the
2m 1f Grade 1 at Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting is likely to
be a target for him
Ipsos Du Berlais
6yo gelding by Poliglote ex. Isis Du Berlais
A Grade 1-placed novice hurdler last season, he looks like a
Pandorama strong-staying novice chaser in the making. He finished second
9yo gelding by Flemensfirth ex. Gretchen’s Castle to the high-class Lyreen Legend on his chasing debut at Galway
An exceptionally talented performer, he was one of the leading in October and is sure to improve from that. In the longer term,
novice hurdlers in Ireland in 2008/9, but was always considered he could be one for the four mile novice chase at the Chelten-
a chaser in the making. He won two Grade 1 novice chases in
Monksland ham Festival. Setback,
5yo gelding by Beneficial ex. Cush Jewel
December 2009, but injury intervened and he was ruled out for
Had just three starts over hurdles in 2011/2, but established
the rest of the season. He bounced back from that setback to win
himself as one of the leading novices in Ireland, winning a
the Grade 1 Lexus Chase at Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting
Grade 2 contest and finishing third in the Neptune Investment
in 2010, but suffered another injury in the Cheltenham Gold Cup
Management Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.
the following March and has been absent since. He is back in
Initially, the plan was for him to be sent over fences this season,
work and the hope is that he will be ready to return to action in the
but Meade had a change of heart and started him back over
Lexus Chase at Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting.
hurdles in Grade 2 WKD Hurdle at Down Royal in November,
with him recording an impressive success. The Hatton’s Grace
Hurdle is his next target and he could well make up into a
Grade 1 hurdler at around 2m 4f.
Dylan Ross
6yo gelding by Shantou ex. Quit The Noise
A talented performer that was Grade 1-placed in novice hurdle
company last season, he has been sent chasing this season. De-
Realt Dubh spite falling on his chasing debut, he bounced back by finishing
8yo gelding by Beneficial ex. Suez Canal a promising second to the talented Jenari at Naas in October
Hasn’t been the luckiest with injuries, but enjoyed a Sword of Destiny and following that up with a comfortable win in a 2m maiden
tremendous novice chasing campaign in 2010/11, winning 6yo gelding by Shantou ex. Sparkling Sword
chase at Navan in November. He should continue to progress
three Grade 1 contests. Injury restricted him to just two starts The winner of a bumper and a Grade 3 novice hurdle, he has
and will be a contender for the 2m 1f Grade 1 novice chase at
in 2011/12, but he made an encouraging return to action on always looked like a chaser in the making and he made a very
Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting.
his first start over 3m in the JNwine.com Champion Chase in promising start over the larger obstacles at Punchestown in
November and has since run creditably back over 2m at Navan. October. He looked set to prevail only to jump the final fence
awkwardly and lose out to the unbeaten Buckers Bridge. He