Next Generation of Grade 1 Hurdlers Lines up in Leopardstown Spring Juvenile

We are still two weeks out from the Spring Juvenile Hurdle at Leopardstown and this Grade 1 contest could be a kingmaker for any of these high-quality four year-old jumpers. A number of these contenders are at different points in their juvenile careers, but it has to be admitted that this line-up boasts a number of significant stand-outs.

Final declarations have still not taken place so we are, effectively, in ante post mode here for the next while. There are four big stand outs at this point that are all worth examining.

Sailor’s Warn enters the race with the most momentum and boasts the distinction of being the only Grade 2 winner in the field. He is the only one in the mix to boast a course and distance reference and that is the Grade 2 score that he grabbed on December 30th with AJ McNamara up. The four year-old Eoin O’Grady charge broke his maiden back in August at Sligo against a tricky field of 15. He’ll look to be in touch early on and should have no trouble unless he runs into traffic trouble with a hotter-than-expected early pace.

Tillahow lines up for Mouse Morris’ barn and this quality son of Tillerman has never finished off the board in his six race career, which includes three runs on the flat. Since a switch to hurdling, he finally graduated on the third try (in grade 3 company no less) after being there-or-thereabouts in the first two. He’ll look to be a factor early on and he could find himself at the front. Heavy going will see his price drop and he will likely be a tidy bet to finish in some part of the forecast as his ability to drive on late could make the difference if he sits off the pace a bit more.  

Indian Daudaie steps up as another one of Paul Nicholls young hurdlers shipping in from Auteil. He’s been laid off since early November but boasts a stand-out performance to finish second in a Grade 1 contest for three year-olds in France. This is his four year-old debut, but his ability to get home late to snatch second on the line after being held up for the bulk of the race showed plenty of untapped ability. Don’t expect his odds to be 37/1 this time out, as he will likely be coming into the race well worked out and there is still the progression-factor when you’re talking four year-olds. He could be derailed by traffic problems if he runs at the back again this time, but he will definitely take money based on form and connections.  

Fearless Falcon could be the big variable as he boasts a pair of second-place finishes to both Tillahow and Sailors Warn. His maiden score came on the three year-old circuit at Thurles and the four year-old Adrian McGuinness charge has never finished off the board in his career that includes three graded contests. He boasts more graded experience than anyone else in this race and was running on late against Tillahow to just miss out back on January 8th. He’ll still be sharp and could go off at a tidy price. Connections may opt to deploy him at the front of the field if they don’t think any other contenders have the chops, pace-wise.