Case Study

Case Study put up a really nice performance to win the two-mile-three-furlong maiden hurdle at Naas on Wednesday. The Liam Burke-trained gelding travelled like a good horse through the race, just behind a good pace that was set by Stress, and took it up just before the home turn travelling well. He went easily in the lead down to the third last at which point the warm favourite Cadspeed moved into second place behind him travelling just as easily. However, Case Study found plenty in front when Davy Russell went for him, and he stayed on really well over the final flight to win well, with Cadspeed in front of Hellyhunter in second and third, and the first three clear of their rivals.

This was impressive from the Gigginstown House-owned gelding. There was a lot to like about the manner in which he quickened from the front and about the attitude that he displayed in galloping all the way to the line. Cadspeed is a really useful yardstick, he was an impressive winner of two bumpers last season and he was on the Willie Mullins Cheltenham Bumper team. Admittedly he has been a little disappointing to date over hurdles, but he only just failed in both of his previous attempts. Furthermore, the time of this race was really good, the fastest comparative time of the day, and almost three seconds faster than the time that it took Ebadiyan and Muirhead to complete the same course and distance in the Listed Limestone Lad Hurdle a half an hour later.

This was just Case Study’s second run of the season, just the third of his life under rules. Winner of a point-to-point at Ballyragget in March 2008, he was off the track for over a year and a half after he ran in the Gigginstown House point-to-point bumper at Fairyhouse later that month, a race that was won by Pandorama. He shaped well enough on his first start for Liam Burke in a maiden hurdle at Naas in early December, and he was well-supported to beat Cadspeed here. He can go on from this now. He is seven years old, and he has obviously had his problems, but he is really lightly-raced, and he should be well able for a step up in grade. He will be interesting wherever he goes next.

19th January 2010

© The Irish Field, 23rd January 2010