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Timeking's Leading Hurdlers 2004-05
Horse	Rtg	Dst	Going	Comment
HARDY EUSTACE (IRE)	171	SM	gd/hvy	Has finished third behind Macs Joy and Brave Inca in both the December Festival and Iris h Champional Hurdles at Leopardstown. Raced wide in the latter contest beaten only, sh hd & hd. Very easy winner of strongly run Gd2 at Gowran P, Feb 12. Made all win the Gd1 Smurf it Champion Hurdle from Harchibald and Brave Inca. This was the ride of the meeting from Conor O'Dwyer.
HARCHIBALD (FR)	168	S	gd/gsf	Easy winner of the Gd2 Morgiana Hurdle from Back In Front and Macs Joy, Gd1 Pertemps Fig hting Fifth from Inglis Drever and the Gd1 Stan James Christmas Hurdle from Rooster Booster. Showing plenty of speed at the finish. Stamina would be a concern if the ground was testing. Second beaten by a better horse in Hardy Eustace the Champion Hurdle Cheltenham, Mar 15. Slow early pace meant that the winner had plenty in reserve an d was able match it for toe up the hill. Hugely improved this season, may make further progress next year. Outbattled by the tough Brave Inca in a slowly run Gd1 at Punc hestown, April 29. With a preference for fairly decent ground likely to be racing again in England next season.
MAIA ERIA (FR)	167 +	M	gsf/sft	Comfortable winner (20 lengths) of the Gd1 Prix Renaud Du Vivier from Cyrlight at Auteuil Nov 1 4.
BACK IN FRONT (IRE)	166 +	S	gd/gsf	Winner of the Gd1 Totesport Bula Hurdle from Inglis Drever, Westender and Rooster Boo ster. Previously done for toe by Harchibald in the Morgiana, Would benefit from a strongly run Champion Hurdle, which it did not get. Does not seem quick enough at the minimum trip. Would be interesting if it stepped up.
BRAVE INCA (IRE)	161 +	SM	gd/hvy	Has finished second to Macs Joy in two Gd1 contests at Leopardstown this winter. Proven up the Cheltenham hill, it is a battler. Proven to have the pace to win slowly run contests it found its match in Hardy Eustace and Harchibald, when finishing a close thir d in a steadily run Champion Hurdle where they were flying at the finish. A brave effort nonetheless. Travelling best when falling three out in a slowly run Aintree Hurdle, April 9. Finally broke duck for the season when making most, at a slow pace. To win the Gd1 Emo Oil Champion Hurdle at Punchestown, April 29. Beating by a head Harchibald with old rival Macs Joy a length back in third.
INGLIS DREVER	160	ME	gd/hvy	Has finished second behind both Harchibald and Back In Front in Gd1 this season. Even on heavy ground in the Gd2 Commhoist Logistics Champion Hurdle Trial at Haydock. Its lack of speed meant it struggled to overhaul chaser Mister McGoldrick 142, until staying on after the last. Made all to win the Gd2 Axminster Kingwell Hdl from Perouse and Royal Shakespeare, Feb 19. Strongly ridden by Tony McCoy to win. It jumped left throughout, markedly so over the last two hurdles. Came from behind to win Ladbrokes World Hurdle at Cheltenham, Mar 17. Not a great time for the race. It simply had too much pa ce for Baracouda and Rule Supreme. Its experience over two miles
ROOSTER BOOSTER	158	S	gd/gsf	Has been obliged to make its own running in both the Bula Hurdle and the Christmas Hurdle this season. Would benefit from a strong gallop, which it may get this year in the Champion Hurdle. If that race is run to expose any chinks in Harchibald's stamina. Once again done for toe by Self Defense in a slowly run Agfa Hurdle at Sandown Feb 5. Champion Hurdle not run to suit but appears to have deteriorated from last season. Did 156 when winning a conditions hurdle at Sandown, April 22. Would have been a close finish had Royal Shakespeare not fallen when leading two out.
MACS JOY (IRE)	156 +	S	gd/sft	Has won the Gd1 Bewleys Hotels December Festival Hurdle at Christmas and the AIG Europe Champion Hurdle in January. Neither race was run particularly strongly. Fifth in a slowly Champion Hurdle, probably not good enough this year but may have found the ground too lively at this l evel. Despite the slow early gallop probably did not stay the trip (20f) in Aintree Hurdle, April 9.
CYRLIGHT (FR)	155 +	M	gsf/hvy	Multiple four year old chase winner at Auteuil. Put in its place by Maia Eria over hurdles at A uteuil in November. Improved on this performance with a very easy win in a Gd3 event at the same venue on Mar 27. Evidence on the clock for its last two runs suggests this horse is still improving. Headed near finish in a slowly run Gd2 Hurdle at Auteuil, May 29. The winner Rock And Palm 148 has put in a couple of decent times over both fences and hurdles this year and was in receipt of 3kg. Cyrlight had had a recent setback as an excuse.
ESSEX (IRE)	155 +	S	gd/sft	Comf winner of the Pierse at Leopardstown, Jan 9. This was a slowly run race so did not learn much about the extent of its ability. Followed up with victory in the Gd3 totesport Trophy (H'cp). Once again the early pace was slow and importantly the ground was quicker. Held up horses were never in with a chance. It was never far off the pace and ran out a comf winner. Despite a slow early pace in the Champion Hurdle was soon beaten when the pressure was applied. The truth is not allowed to get its own way and was up against rivals blessed with even more pace.
BARACOUDA (FR)	155 +	L	gd/hvy	Won the Gd2 Ballymore Properties Long Distance Hurdle, Nov 27. Also the Gd1 Telectronics Systems Long Walk Hurdle at Windsor, Dec18 from Crystal d'Ainay on both occasions. The contests were not strongly run. It only does enough to win and no more. Therefore hard to gauge whether it has declined since last season. Done for tow by the speedier Inglis Drever, when second in the Gd1 World Hurdle at Cheltenham, Mar 17. The race was not strongly run, as a consequence the ground would have been lively enough.
SOLERINA (IRE)	155	SM	gsf/hvy	Started the season in good fashion picking up two Gd1 and two Gd2 hurdles beating Hardy Eustace , Harchibald, Accordion Etoile 148, and Brave Inca. Has gone off the boil since Christmas and other rivals have progressed. Fell early in a Gd3 3 mile event at Navan, Feb 13. Connections are considering putting her away for the season now.
RULE SUPREME (IRE)	154 +	L	gsf/hvy	Looked booked for a place behind Beef Or Salmon in the Gd1 Lexus Chase at Christmas but for falling at the last. Travelling much better than it had in the Lexus, it pulled right away from Beef Or Salmon on the run-in, to win the Gd1 Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup in a very good time. No sign of jumping errors, the testing ground probably made that easier. Contested the World Hurdle instead of the Gold Cup in view of the lively ground. Stayed on in third behind Inglis Drever and Baracouda. The pace had been too slow and the ground was too lively. We did not see the best of this stayer here. Conditions were perfect in the staying hurdle at Aintree. Unfortunately was hampered at
WESTENDER (FR)	154	ML	gd/gsf	Made all to win a Class B Hurdle at Cheltenham on New Year's Day. A stayed on one pace third to Patriarch Express and Korelo in the Gd2 Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham, Jan 29. Stayed on at the one pace when headed at the last in the World Hurdle behind Inglis Drever at Cheltenham, Mar 17. It ran as well as could be expected. Refused at the second hurdle at Aintree. Had set off at a cracking pace on the slowish ground so probably avoided having a hard race.
CRYSTAL D'AINAY (FR)	153	ML	gsf/sft	Has finished second to Baracouda twice this season already. Nothing to indicate that it has actually improved since last season as far as the clock is concerned. This was confirmed by finishing only fourth in the Gd2 Cleeve Hurdle, Cheltenham Jan 29 and its win in the Gd2 Rendlesham over Monet's Garden, Kempton, Feb 26. Pulled up in the World Hurdle at Cheltenham, Mar 17. Probably had an off day but this was a tough race. A modest third when tried over fences at Aintree, April 7. Any future in that sphere will depend on the handicapper.
LYCAON DE VAUZELLE (FR)	152 +	M	sft/hvy	Improving winner of Gd3 and Gd2 hurdles at Auteuil in the autumn. Below its best when a well beaten third behind Cyrlight in a Gd3 at Auteuil, Mar 27. Bounced back with a comfortable victory in the 5100m Grand Course de Haies d'Auteuil (French Champion) in the process beat ing the previous year's winner in Rule Supreme, on June 18. The time was slow which would not have suited the runner up.
ACCORDION ETOILE (IRE)	152 +	S	gfm/gsf	Cosy winner of a slowly run Gd3 Hcap hurdle at Cheltenham, Nov 14. Had conditions, fast ground and slow pace, to suit in the Champion Hurdle and finished a respectable fourth. Has time on its side for improvement but needs it. Probably didn't stay the trip (20f) even in a slowly run Aintree Hurdle, April 9.
RACING DEMON (IRE)	152 +	M	gd/sft	Two easy novice wins at Exeter in mid Nov and early Jan have sandwiched a very poor effort at Sandown. The tacky ground there may have had some bearing on this. Seems suited to a galloping track. Raced on the outside most of the way. Went for home two out, was caught close to the line by No Refuge in the Royal & SunAlliance at Cheltenham, Mar 16. Will probably go chasing next season.
NO REFUGE (IRE)	152 +	ML	gd/sft	Poor jumping cost it victory in a Gd2 novice at Sandown in Dec. Gained compensation by winning moderately run Gd2 at Warwick, Jan 15. Stayed on well for pressure to catch Racing Demon near the line to win the Gd1 Royal & SunAlliance Novices. Jumped much better here and could find further improvement over 3 miles.
SELF DEFENSE	151 +	S	gd/hvy	Came back to near its best with a respectable 4l second, conceding 13lb, to Tamarinbleu in the Ladbroke Handicap Hurdle, Sandown, Jan 8. Winner leading at the last to beat Rooster Booster in a farcical Agfa Hurdle at Sandown, Feb 5. Outclassed in the Champion Hurdle. Ran up to its best level when a four length second to Rooster Booster at Sandown, April 22.
TAMARINBLEU (FR)	151 +	SM	gd/hvy	Comf winner of the listed Ladbroke Handicap Hurdle run this year at Sandown in early January from Self Defense. Improved a few pounds when chasing home Kalca Mome at Warwick, Feb 25. The winner was in receipt of 19lb. Was not disgraced in chasing home much improved Genghis 144 at Aintree over 2½, April 9. Appeals as a potential graded race winner next season. Only fourth at Sandown behind Rooster Booster, April 22. Fair effort considering that probably both the quick ground and trip were against it
MEPHISTO (IRE)	151 +	ML	gd/hvy	Promising debut, not knocked about, when third behind Ambobo in Gd2 novice at Cheltenham, Jan 2 9. Comf winner Gd2 Brit Insurance Novices' from Moulin Riche at Haydock , Feb 19. Lacking in experience but definitely useful. Despite the heavy ground put up an excellent time when just beating very useful mud loving juvenile Faasel at Kelso, Mar 5. Aintree "performance" is best forgotten. Connections did say post race that the horse had swallowed its tongue. Made all easy winner of a three runner affair at Ayr, April 15. Timerating here slower than when beaten at Aintree.
JUSTIFIED (IRE)	151	S	gsf/hvy	Much improved comfortable winner of the Gd2 Byrne Group plc Novice Hurdle at Punchestown, Jan 30. Had finished fourth in the Gd1 Royal Bond Novice Hurdle won by Wild Passion at Fairyhouse, Nov 28. Made the running at too quick a pace when finishing only eighth in the Supreme Novices. The ground was on the quick side there but not possible to make a definite conclusion whether or not its chances were affected by the ground. Ridden with some restraint when winning the Gd2 Menolly Homes Novice Hurdle from The Railway Man at Fairyhouse, Mar 29. The ground was also soft.
KORELO (FR)	151	L	gd/hvy	Winner Handicap Hurdle Cheltenham, Jan 1. Finished second only a head behind winner, Patriarch Express in the Gd2 Cleeve Hurdle. Where it lost ground at the last hurdle. Best held up, it goes well at Cheltenham. A fair fifth in the World Hurdle at Cheltenham. The principals just had too much toe on ground that would have been quick enough. Ran a stinker in a slowly run Gd2 at Aintree, April 7. Already well beaten when falling at the last. Even though best performances have come at stiff tracks such as Cheltenham and Sandown, this was probably just an end of season performance.
MONET'S GARDEN (IRE)	150 +	L	gd/sft	Winner of a slow Gd2 Hurdle at Windsor, Nov 19. The ground may have been too lively for it when it performed badly at Cheltenham, Dec 11. Put that poor effort behind it with a creditable fifth in the Cleeve Hurdle. Talk of it not staying 3 miles is nonsense. Best effort on the clock last year was over 3 miles with give. Stayed on onepaced when second to Crystal d'Ainay, Kempton, Feb 26. Winner of the slowly run Gd2 Liverpool Hurdle, which turned out to be a weaker race than promised with Westender refusing at the second. This hampered Rule Supreme who unseated. Also Korelo ran a stinker. Plans are to go chasing next season, will be an interesting prospect.
PATRIARCH EXPRESS	150 +	ML	gsf	Much improved hurdler since joining the Sue Smith yard for this season. Where it has shown improvement nearly every race. Winner of the Gd2 Byrne Bros Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham, Jan 29. It may have been fortunate that runner-up Korelo lost ground at the last hurdle in that race. Such is the improvement being made, it may possibly beat that rival again this season. Well beaten fourth in the Rendlesham behind Crystal d'Ainay, Kempton, Feb 26 . The ground was almost certainly too slow.
AMBOBO (USA)	150 +	M	gsf	Winner of the Gd2 Royal Gloucestershire Hussars Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham, Jan 29, where it quickened well to go clear after the second last. A number of victories in France. M ost notable, probably a five length defeat giving 5lb to My Way De Solzen at Clairfontaine Aug 17.
AL EILE (IRE)	150 +	SM	gd/sft	A never near third in a slowly run Pierse behind Essex, Jan 9. Again kept on well from the rear to finish third in the totesport Trophy, Newbury, Feb, behind the same horse. As it stayed 2m well on the flat with give, two miles over hurdles was not likely to bring the best out of the horse. Its first step up to 2½ miles in the Gd1 Scottish and Newcastle Aintree Hurdle paid immediate dividends with a last gasp victory over Inglis Drever. Ironically this was not a true test because the early gallop was slow. Also Brave Inca was travelling easily when falling three out.
EMOTIONAL MOMENT (IRE)	150	L	gd/hvy	Wide margin winner of Gd2 Leopardstown, Dec 28 and Gd3 Gowran P, Jan 20. Easy winner made virtually all, Gd3 at Navan from Yogi, Feb 13. Seems best with give underfoot. Pulled up when stepped up to Gd1 Company in the World Hurdle at Cheltenham, Mar 17. Lively ground probably against it but also not able to dictate. Probably over the top at Punchestown, April 28.

Distance Codes	Going Abbreviations	Hurdlers 2004-05	Chasers 2004-05	Other Pages
S = 2m (or thereabouts). M = 2m 4f. L = 3m. E = 3m 4f+.	fm = firm, gfm = good to firm, gd = gd, gsf = good to soft, sft = soft, hvy = heavy.	Novices Juveniles NH Flat Horses	Leading Chasers Novices Hunters & Pointers	Hurdlers 2003-04 Home