Hello Neighbour
Hello Neighbour did lots wrong in the Grade 2 juveniles' hurdle at Leopardstown's Christmas Festival, so it was to his immense credit that he was able to win the race, a Grade 2 contest on his first run over hurdles. He was keener than ideal and his jumping was novicey. Visibility was compromised by the fog, but he seemed to want to go in tight to many of his hurdles, instead of standing off and having a cut at them. Prominent from early and sent to the front at the final flight by Keith Donoghue, he just had enough in hand to see off the challenge of Lady Vega Allen, who was having her first run in Ireland, with the pair of them finishing nicely clear of their rivals.
Gavin Cromwell's horse remains unbeaten in three runs. Winner of his maiden over a mile and six furlongs on the flat at Navan in September, a race from which the third and fourth both came out and won next time, both earning flat ratings in the 90s, he proved that he had pace too when he dropped down to 10 furlongs next time and won well again at Roscommon. The flat handicapper gave him a rating of 97 after that, and that was after just two runs. A half-brother to Spring Juvenile Hurdle winner A Wave Of The Sea, he is a classy recruit to juvenile hurdles and he has the potential now to continue his progression. If he can jump a little more fluently and travel a little less keenly, all of which may come as he gains in experience, he could take a nice step forward now. He is a leading contender for the Spring Hurdle and for the Triumph Hurdle at this stage.
Leopardstown, 26th December 2024
Back