16:35 Punchestown
Wednesday 22 February 2017
All13:5514:2515:0015:3016:0016:3517:10
Festival Hospitality From 109 Handicap Hurdle (80-109)
- 4YO plus  |  2m 6f  |  Heavy  |  15 Runners  |  Turf  |   Weighed In
- Off time: 16:35Â Â |Â Â Winning time: 6m 13.90s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Well beaten over fences at Clonmel earlier this month, not going especially well in either code of late and doesn't make significant appeal for switch to hurdling now.
Didn't run badly over 2m4f at Thurles latest, has a bit to do on the formbook ahead of this step up in trip with visor going on first time.
Recent efforts have been lacklustre and tough to fashion any degree of confidence with first-time cheekpieces going on.
Went close on handicap hurdle debut at Navan recently (2m4f), upped 3lb on the back of that effort and longer trip but entitled to have a say.
Been running consistently of late, scoring easily at Tramore penultimate start over this sort of trip. Credible third over three-miles since and despite career high mark, looks sure to be involved in the finish.
Another running well of late, runner-up at Fairyhouse latest (Returntovendor third) but has yet to record maiden success.
Slipping to a workable mark and dangerous to write off but finished a long way behind some of these rivals over three-miles at Fairyhouse last time out a month ago.
Left maiden form behind to score on handicap debut at Thurles earlier this month. Clearly relished the extra yardage and might have won easier but for sketchy jump at the last. Leading contender for follow up.
Getting on in years, still capable of running well on a going day however, upped significantly in trip for this.
Front-running effort at Down Royal on the final day of last month ran out of gas at three out, upped in trip here and may need to be more conservatively ridden.
Stable debut last week at Clonmel, brought down at the first in what was also first start over fences. Reverts back to flights now, where he's the owner of a fairly modest record.
Handicap debut at Navan was impressive in December, much less effective back there last month, not to be written off just yet however.
Good effort to be fifth of 15 at Naas last month, that was over two-miles and more called for now stepping up in trip.
Pulled up in handicap hurdle at Fairyhouse over 2m4f most recently, ensuring he's now a 13-race maiden.
Ran off this mark in the Thurles contest won by Perfect Man recently, was one of the first to submit on that occasion finding the going too tough a long way from the finish line.
Forecasts
Dawn Raider (4/1), Perfect Man (9/2), Returntovendor (9/2), Side Saddle (10/1), Calin Des Ongrais (10/1), Hold Onto Your Hat (10/1), Silver Tara (12/1), Kilcaragh Boy (14/1), Tidy Zag (16/1), Golden Plan (16/1), Tyrone Tiger (16/1), Dontdelay (22/1), Stay With It (25/1), Archie Meade (25/1), Shrewdoperator (28/1)
Calin Des Ongrais ran a fine race to be second on handicap debut last time but it is something of a concern that she's up 3lb now. Dawn Raider has been in good form and also filled the runner-up slot at Fairyhouse over three-miles last month. He finished just ahead of RETURNTOVENDOR on that occasion but may not uphold the form. The selection had previously scored impressively at Tramore and the drop in trip might just help tilt the scales in his favour. Last time out Thurles winner Perfect Man is not easily bypassed, that was an improved effort and he should be capable of building on it.
1. Returntovendor
2. Perfect Man
3. Dawn Raider
Prize Money
1st: €7,392.002nd: €2,292.003rd: €1,092.004th: €493.005th: €192.00
MOST READ RACING
Follow & Track
Your favourite horses, jockeys and trainers with My StableLog in
Discover Sporting Life Plus benefits
