14:30 Punchestown
Sunday 5 February 2017
All13:3014:0014:3015:0015:3016:0016:30
P.P. Hogan Memorial Cross Country Chase
- 5YO plus | 3m | Soft to Heavy | 14 Runners | Turf | Weighed In
- Off time: 14:33 | Winning time: 6m 51.30s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Runner-up in C&D chase in November behind the impressive Cantlow, has more on his plate this time but the jockey booking should certainly assist his case as he bids to win this contest for the third year in a row.
Ran well in this race two years ago behind Ballyboker Bridge, recent form over hurdles would suggest he'll struggle to close the gap on that rival and others now.
Ran well here in November, behind Ballyboker Bridge, every chance of closing the gap on revised terms.
Something to find based on November running at this venue, hasn't been out since. Trainer is going so well it would hardly come as a surprise should he turn his hand to Cross Country chasing now too.
Efforts this season haven't been great, but running in better company than this. Ran well for a long in the La Touche Cup over this course at the festival in April, could get involved.
One of the three for Cross Country master-trainer in this contest and recent point-to-point win should have him in good heart, very much respected.
Was going well when unseating rider in similar event at Cheltenham last week, expect to see another bold showing from him.
Was well beaten behind some of these at this venue in November, since had a point-to-point outing, looks to be held on the formbook.
Very decent chaser in his time, on a long winless streak now but performed well enough in recent Hunter Chase outing at Thurles to suggest he might do well at this discipline.
Teenager is struggling these days and didn't appear to relish this challenge when tackling the course on better ground in April.
Outclassed at this venue in November behind some of these rivals, subsequently pulled up in a point-to-point and difficult to see where the turnaround will come from.
Promised plenty when winning this race in 2014 but hasn't really delivered, third a year ago to Ballyboker Bridge but may struggle to replicate that form even.
Most recent win came in October 2012, generally struggling on the point-to-point circuit of late and hard to build case for him in this.
First run for this trainer saw him just touched by On His Own in a point-to-point, that looks a fair piece of form and could run well if taking to the banks.
Forecasts
Colour Squadron (7/4), Ballyboker Bridge (10/3), Auvergnat (9/2), Usuel Smurfer (11/2), Love Rory (9/1), First Lieutenant (14/1), Mtada Supreme (28/1), The King Of Brega (33/1), Mister First (66/1), Enniskillen (66/1), Boxing Along (66/1), Ordinary Man (100/1), Gonebeyondrecall (100/1), Just Wait And See (100/1)
Colour Squadron's trainer has a masterful record in this contest, with six wins in the last ten years. He looks an interesting recruit to the Banks course and merits plenty respect but preference is for stablemate AUVERGNAT. He was running a big race at Cheltenham in this sphere last week when unseating his rider and is given another chance to land a blow under a useful claimer. Ballyboker Bridge is chasing a hat-trick in this contest and while he has it all to do at the current weights, he does have the benefit of a supreme horseman to aid his cause and isn't likely to give up without a fight. The third runner from the yard is Love Rory, who really needs to prove he still relishes the game but useful chaser First Lieutenant is an interesting recruit to this sphere and is worth watching. Usuel Smurfer is another notable based on his eye-catching second in a point-to-point last month on his first run for this yard.
1. Auvergnat
2. Colour Squadron
3. Ballyboker Bridge
Prize Money
1st: €6,160.002nd: €1,909.003rd: €910.004th: €410.005th: €160.00
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