St Denis’s Well

 

 

This is competitive, but St Denis’s Well has plenty in his favour and it is worthwhile backing him at the price.

 

Ian Donoghue’s horse won this race in 2023 on his first run back after a break, and he proceeded to win three more races that season, which saw his hurdles mark climb from the 83, off which he won this race, to a mark of 91, and his chase mark rise to 121. 

 

He ran in this race last year too, and he ran well in it off a mark of 91 to finish second.  He looked a likely winner, indeed, it looked like Ian Donoghue was going to have the first and second, with St Denis’s Well and O’Faolains Glory clear, but, in the end, Love Me came and beat the pair of them. 

 

St Denis’s Well won again at Down Royal on St Stephen’s Day last season, which saw his hurdles mark rise to 105.  He ran really well in a handicap chase at Navan in March, he was prominent from early and he only gave best between the last two fences in a race that was run at a strong pace, as evidenced by a finishing speed of 96% of overall speed.

 

He was well beaten in a good handicap hurdle at Fairyhouse in April, and he has been well beaten in each of his first two runs this season, but those races were both run on yielding ground, he should be happier on softer ground today, and it is probable that this race has been his target again this season.  He is back down to a mark of 100, which is ideal for this 0-100 contest, and which is 20lb lower than his chase mark.  He loves Navan, his record there reads 1124, and his trainer has his horses in really good form.  He goes well on soft ground too, and on soft ground at Navan, and James Smith is good value for his 5lb claim.

 

ST DENIS’S WELL WON (ADV 6/1, SP 3/1)