Supreme Carolina

Although it wasn’t flashy, it was hard not to be impressed with the performance that Supreme Carolina put up in winning the Christmas Rated Hurdle at Leopardstown on Friday. She won in a really good time, the fastest time on Lexus day and back on Racing Post par, and she did so with the promise of a good bit more to come.

Held up right towards the rear by Ruby Walsh, she was still a long way back as they turned out of the back straight, and a mistake at the second last flight didn't help, but she made really good ground early in the home straight on the run to the last hurdle and she found plenty for pressure on the near side to get her head in front of Persian Gayle on the line.

Willie Mullins' mare has only just turned six, this was just her fourth run over hurdles, her first run since last June, and she did really well to pick up from the home turn and beat the geldings. She should progress from this, she has been raised just 3lb to a mark of 122, and she will be interesting if she takes her place in handicap company now. Her jumping should improve with experience, and she has the potential to progress a fair way over hurdles from this mark.

28th December 2012

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