Joseph O’Brien is sending runners to Britain with more frequency nowadays but it would usually be for a big Saturday meeting. The County Kilkenny-based trainer sends just one to Doncaster on Friday in what could be significant move. It’s a significant journey to undertake for just the one runner and connections will be seeking compensation.
His sole runner goes in the Listed Fillies’ Juvenile Hurdle. O’Brien won this race last year and is looking to repeat the trick. Check out our free tips page for daily content across British and Irish racing.
Libby (15-2, William Hill) is an interesting candidate for this race, despite still being a maiden. Rated 71 on the flat, she has had two starts over hurdles so far and shown plenty of promise on both. She made her debut at Cork last month and was 11-and-a-half lengths behind Blood Destiny who is probably one of the better juveniles we’ve seen this season.
That rival boosted the form by winning his next start by 18 lengths. Sir Allen finished second that day and he went on to win his next start, at the expense of Libby who was just under six lengths behind him in fourth. Libby can sharpen up her jumping, especially at the end of her races, having made mistakes at the last in both starts.
Against her own sex, she has a real chance here. Improvement seems likely as she’s clearly not the finished article. Despite being a Listed race, this is probably the easiest task she has faced in her short hurdles career so far and represents a good opportunity. Gaining black type could boost her value as a brood mare later in life and she could earn that here.
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