Some of Ireland's most exciting novices are set to line up for the Future Champions Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown on Tuesday. The Grade One contest has been won by the likes of First Lieutenant and Hurricane Fly in the past, with Sous Les Cieux the 1/2 odds on favourite to join that list of esteemed winners according to race sponsor Paddy Power.
Willie Mullins' Sous Les Cieux, the stablemate of Hurricane Fly, is shaping up to be an exciting prospect after winning both of his outings this season. The 5-year-old looks the pick of the field for Tuesday's 2 mile race after winning a two and a half mile novice hurdle before stepping back in trip and up in grade when winning the Royal Bond Novice Hurdle. However, the gelding might prefer longer trips and it is well worth remembering that Mullins' Zaidpour was turned over in this race when 1/4 favourite last year.
Next best in the odds for the race at the Leopardstown Christmas Meeting is Ed O'Grady's Cash And Go at 9/2. The 4-year-old has made a promising start to life over hurdles, including wins in a maiden at Wexford and in a novice hurdle at Gowran.
The rest of the field is dominated by entries from the stables of Noel Meade, who has four possibles at the moment and the Irish trainer is expected to make a decision on his final team on Monday.
Meade's Formidableopponent is the shortest priced at 7/1 with PaddyPower.com, although the gelding faces a big step up in class here and has shown a preference for softer ground. The 4-year-old was a solid winner at Navan and followed that up with victory on his hurdling debut in a large field at the same course.
Dylan Ross (9/1) is another of the Meade quartet who might have concerns with the ground at Leopardstown after struggling on heavy ground last time out. The 5-year-old won over hurdles at the first time of asking at Fairyhouse but has since been well beaten by Il Fenomeno in a Grade Three at Navan.
Il Fenomeno could line up on Tuesday and the 9/1 shot has shown plenty of promise in his second season over hurdles. The 5-year-old won his opening two appearances this season but was well beaten by Sous Les Cieux at Fairyhouse last time and has plenty to find judging by that form.
The most interesting string to Meade's bow could be Monksland, who appears to be the most likely runner on Tuesday. The 4-year-old has started favourite on all three of his runs so far, winning the last two after a mishap on his first outing. The quickly improving gelding hacked up at Down Royal and has since landed a maiden hurdle at Navan. It is tough to make too many judgements from that form but at odds of 10/1 with Paddy Power he could be well worth a look.
Michael Hourigan's Ballysteen completes the field after getting off the mark over hurdles at the first time of asking at Navan. However, the 5-year-old struggled at Punchestown last time out, with paddypower pricing him 16/1.
1/2 Sous Les Cieux
9/2 Cash And Go
7/1 Formidableopponent
9/1 Dylan Ross
9/1 Il Fenomeno
10/1 Monksland
16/1 Ballysteen
Odds provided by race sponsor PaddyPower.com, who offer ante-post odds for all of the big races at the Leopardstown Christmas Meeting.
Posted: Monday, 26th December 2011
Author: Chris James
Tags: future champions novice hurdle, leopardstown, sous les cieux, paddypower,
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