World Racing / Timeform / 10 February 2012 /

With inclement weather wiping out the lion's share of big-race action in Britain this weekend Timeform turn their attention to Leopardstown, which is set to hold three Grade 1 contests in addition to the feature event, the Hennessy Gold Cup.

The 4-y-os are first up in the Spring Juvenile Hurdle and the race should go a long way to determining the pre-Cheltenham Irish pecking order in the division.

Willie Mullins is doubly represented, but though Gorgeous Sixty recorded a Timeform figure of 134 for Yannick Fouin at Auteuil last autumn, he rather blotted his copybook when only third at Gowran on his Irish debut and his master rating is now 115+, so Ut de Sivola (129p) rates as the Mullins number one. Ut de Sivola is another French import and is two from two for the yard, impressing with his cruising speed on both outings and winning like one with more to offer at Punchestown last time.

Shadow Catcher (129p) beat the Mullins-trained Darroun in a maiden at the same track on New Year's Eve, doing well to win having taken a long time to settle and seeing things out well in the circumstances to justify sustained market support. He looks a major player and the main threat to Ut de Sivola. British raiders Asaid (127p) and Countrywide Flame (133) are also worthy of a mention as Asaid's debut success at Huntingdon has thrown up plenty of winners and he was travelling best from some way out, while Countrywide Flame is more exposed but has already got form in graded races, second in the Grade 1 Finale at Chepstow last time.

From three initial entries, Sous Les Cieux (140) is the sole Willie Mullins runner in the Deloitte Novice Hurdle. Sous Les Cieux had another highly-regarded Mullins horse, Midnight Game, back in fourth when winning the Royal Bond back in December but, unlike that one, he disappointed since when suffering a surprise defeat when only third to the reopposing Cash And Go in the Future Champions Novice at Leopardstown over Christmas.

Cash And Go (139p) was notching up his third successive success over timber in the aforementioned event and, like Sous Les Cieux, may be suited by the extra quarter of a mile. That said, there is still a nagging suspicion he's going to fall just short of the top novices, only one from three in bumpers last term after all.

British raider Captain Conan (136) made a winning debut for Nicky Henderson in the Tolworth last month, and though he was helped by the runner-up's waywardness in securing a narrow success, he has already proved his stamina for the longer trip and should be thereabouts. Heading the four others is Lord Windermere (131+), who has made a good impression but needs to find plenty of improvement to feature.

The Dr P.J. Moriarty Novice Chase looks at the mercy of Gigginstown House Stud. Bog Warrior (154) will be a major player (if taking his chance on Sunday rather than running at Naas on Saturday) after his demolition job in the Drinmore at Fairyhouse, his latest run best ignored as he fell in the early stages, and Last Instalment (148p) has looked a natural since switched to the larger obstacles. The latter made a seamless transition to Grade 1 company in the Fort Leney at Leopardstown over Christmas, beating First Lieutenant by 6 lengths, will have no problems with the drop in trip and should take all the beating.

Lambro (145p) and Call The Police (133p) both hail from the Willie Mullins yard and the former warrants respect, having found only Flemenstar too good at Naas last time, while this increased emphasis on stamina looks sure to suit. Shot From The Hip (124p) completes the line-up.

With Synchronised, Quito de La Roque and Jessies Dream all missing, the Irish Hennessy Gold Cup is down to a field of seven.

Likely favourite Quel Esprit (151) was let down by his jumping in top novice company last season, falling in the Dr P.J. Moriarty at Leopardstown, RSA at Cheltenham and Growise Champion at Punchestown, but has had his confidence built back up in calmer waters this winter, easily winning a minor event at Naas and a Grade 3 at Thurles (by 15 lengths from Whodoyouthink). They were small-field affairs too and he is relatively unexposed at three miles.

Bostons Angel (149+) actually won three Grade 1s last season, including that RSA Chase at Cheltenham, and he was still in with every chance when unseating five out in a race won by Quito de La Roque at Down Royal on his return. While the subsequent exploits of those he has finished around suggest there could be more to come, he did produce a rather laboured display when only third in intermediate chase at Sandown in December and is now set for a try in cheekpieces.

Top-rated China Rock (158) is the pair's biggest danger for all that he fell just short of top class last term, winning graded races at Gowran and Punchestown before filling the frame at Down Royal and at Sunday's course (corresponding race, fourth to Kempes). He's sure to be sharper for a recent spin over hurdles at Punchestown and should travel well for a long way, but will his stamina for three miles in testing ground hold out?

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