Rashaan primed to maintain unbeaten record at Leopardstown

Trainer Colin Kidd believes stable star Rashaan has a “sporting chance” of keeping his unbeaten record over jumps intact in the Knight Frank Juvenile Hurdle at Leopardstown on Stephens’ Day.

Bought for the bargain-basement price of €8,500 after finishing down the field on his only Flat start for Mick Halford and Dundalk, the Aga Khan-bred three-year-old has already proved an extremely shrewd purchase.

The son of Manduro has proved his 33-1 hurdling debut victory at Roscommon was no fluke with subsequent triumphs at Listowel and in Grade Three company at Fairyhouse and he bids to keep his Triumph Hurdle dream alive by giving weight and a beating to seven rivals.

Kidd said: “This has been the plan since Fairyhouse and we’re looking forward to it.

“He came out of his last race well, he’s well in himself and in good form, so hopefully we go there with a sporting chance.

“We have to give weight away, but I’m not one bit worried about the ground. His pedigree would suggest the softer the ground the better he’ll be.”

Rashaan has plenty on his plate, with some talented opponents lying in wait.

Champion trainer Willie Mullins is double-handed, with impressive Gowran Park scorer Footpad joined by Gigginstown House Stud-owned French recruit Apple’s Jade.

With Paul Townend riding Footpad and stable jockey Ruby Walsh and Gigginstown’s retained rider Bryan Cooper in action at Kempton, Jonathan Burke has been booked to ride Apple’s Jade.

He said: “It was great to get the call from Willie and I’m looking forward to the ride.

“I believe she won her only start in France and Willie likes her.

“She must have been showing him something to be running in her race like this, so hopefully she’ll run well.”

Gordon Elliott also fires a twin assault, with Campeador making his first start in the colours of JP McManus and Officer Sydney on a hat-trick after wins at Roscommon and Perth.

Elliott said of the former: “He came from France and is a nice juvenile hurdler that is doing everything right at home.”

The Gavin Cromwell-trained Jer’s Girl made it two from two over hurdles with a runaway success in a Listed event at Aintree three weeks ago.

Cromwell said: “We’ve been happy with her since Aintree. She goes there in good form.

“I believe there’s more rain forecast, which will suit us, and it will be interesting to see how she gets on.

“Hopefully there’s a bit of improvement in her, but we’ll know a lot more after Saturday.”

Le Vagabond and Nice Vintage complete the line-up.