Race of the Day / Timeform / 28 January 2012 /

Timeform take a look at a very competitive two-mile handicap hurdle at Leopardstown...

Staying Article ran away with bumper on debut at Punchestown and winner of 2 of his 3 starts over hurdles since, most recently on handicap bow at Fairyhouse (2m). Up 9 lb for that but may do better yet.

Sweet My Lord has got his act together jumping-wise and did the job well in decent 2½m Cork handicap in November, beating Pozyc by 1¾ lengths. Creditable effort here (3m) since but this trip may be too sharp.

Cass Bligh is a strong-travelling sort who got back on the up when taking C&D handicap last time. Beat several rivals who reoppose here as well, but did get the run of the race on that occasion.

Plan A has a good strike rate over hurdles. Looked amiss at Cheltenham on penultimate start but bounced back when chasing home Trifolium at Limerick since. However, no room for manoeuvre off present mark.

Tawaag is a three-time winner over hurdles in 2009. Mixed chasing and hurdling since (landed a maiden over fences last term) but disappointing in this sphere at Downpatrick latest. Others look stronger here.

Flycorn had fair form in bumpers and made satisfactory start over hurdles, landing 2m Tipperary maiden and not disgraced in pair of Grade 2 events since, but doesn't appeal as well treated for handicap bow.

Little Green landed Grade 2 event on heavy ground at Fairyhouse last season and good efforts when runner-up this term. Propensity to carry head high a worry, though, and ran out on penultimate start.

Mister Carter was useful on Flat and made winning start over hurdles last term. Not done with when falling in couple of Grade 1 events at end of 2010/11, and far from disgraced on return at Limerick. Place claims.

Make A Track won both starts in bumpers for David Arbuthnot and successful in 2 of his 4 starts over hurdles to date, most recently a 2m novice event at Gowran. Stiff task on handicap bow here, however.

Zaarito made a chequered start to chasing career in 2009/10, but a smart performer when getting it right. Very well treated in this sphere but hard to know what to expect, having looked amiss on return at Exeter.

Quiscover Fontaine won twice over fences in 2009/10 and just as good in light campaign last term, fourth in Irish National on final outing. Decent over hurdles, too, scoring over C&D latest, and cannot be ignored.

Moville is a useful 2m hurdler at best, and some promise over fences (third to Luke's Benefit in that sphere at Naas latest). Has won off this mark in the past,
so could go well if blinkers do the the trick.

Baracas was campaigned mainly over longer in 2010/11 but solid effort in 2m handicap won by Brampour at Ascot in October, beaten 7¾ lengths in fourth. However, suspicion 2m round here will be too sharp.

Madame Mado has done well since joining this yard and followed up her maiden win at Wexford with easy victory in 2m Cork handicap last month, but struggled in higher grade last time and vulnerable as a result.

Pires is winless over hurdles since scoring at Bellewstown in August 2010 but usually runs his race. As good as ever when beaten ½-length by Quiscover Fontaine over C&D latest and 3 lb better off now.

What A Charm was smart on the Flat for John Oxx and landed the Fred Winter on handicap bow at the Cheltenham Festival last term. Good third in 2½m mares Grade 3 here latest but jumping remains a cause for concern.

Wilde Wit Pleasure has a poor strike rate and let largely let down by jumping over fences. However, close-up third behind Quiscover Fontaine and Pires in C&D hurdle latest and better off on these terms.

Dul Ar An Ol bagged a couple of handicaps in good style in November, over 2m at Clonmel and Naas respectively. Behind a few of these over C&D latest but couldn't rule out back in a handicap.

Miss Nomer Can race freely but settled well when winning maiden and mares Grade 3 at Down Royal in August/November. Stiff tasks both starts since but needs to improve a good deal to figure prominently here.

Askthemaster is a useful chaser, successful over 17f here and runner-up in the Grand Annual at Cheltenham last term. Scored on return over hurdles here (2¼m) on Boxing Day and place claims despite 7 lb rise.

Scottish Boogie was a consistent sort on Flat and has followed maiden win at Killarney in May with 2 sound efforts in handicaps, not ideally placed when 3¼ lengths third to Cass Bligh (3 lb worse off) over C&D latest.

Beau Michel is a useful dual-purpose performer on his day who usually makes the running/races close up. Been a while since he last won in this sphere,
though, and was behind a few of these over C&D last month.

Cothrom Na Feinne won both of his starts over hurdles during 2009/10, handicaps at Ballinrobe and Roscommon, and signs that he retains that ability when fourth to Cass Bligh over C&D last time.

Rory Anna scored back from a break at Limerick (2m) in December 2010 and held her form well for remainder of 2010/11 campaign. However, out with the washing on return at Punchestown in November.

Citizenship capitalised on lenient handicap mark at Punchestown in November and place both starts over hurdles since. Allowed Cass Bligh first run when beaten ¾-length by him over C&D latest, and 2 lb pull now.

Peak Raider is a hold-up handicapper who was progressive last term, winning twice over fences and a C&D handicap hurdle. Creditable efforts off higher chase marks the last twice and place possibilities here.

Leah Claire won on the Flat at Roscommon in May and continued good work over hurdle since, landing 6-runner novice hurdle at Wexford (2m) in November. Creditable third in C&D novice handicap subsequently.

Temlett was a useful juvenile in 2007/8 for Willie Mullins and landed gamble back from lengthy layoff for J. Moore at Cork last spring. Subsequent absence coupled with another change of yard is a worry, though.

Strain of Fame was better than ever when third at Punchestown in November (had Scottish Boogie behind) but hasn't really built on that since, for all that he wasn't disgraced when sixth to Class Bligh here latest.

Steel Park won a 2m maiden hurdle at Wexford last term and matched that form when good 2¾ lengths third to Askthemaster over 2¼m at this track last time. Not the most consistent overall, however.

Timeform 1-2-3
1. Scottish Boogie
2. Citizenship
3. Wilde With Pleasure

Timeform Verdict: A typically big field for this valuable prize but Scottish Boogie is taken to reverse last month's C&D form with Cass Bligh and Citizenship, and come out on top. The last-named may emerge as the main threat, while Wilde Wit Pleasure appeals as a value each-way option at rewarding odds.
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Timeform's Horses to Follow Extra Festival Trials edition is out now and features no less than five big-race previews and an interview with Nigel Twiston-Davies.

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