15:40 Punchestown

Wednesday 26 April 2017

All15:4016:2016:5517:3018:0518:4019:15

Martinstown Opportunity Series Final Handicap Hurdle (95-123)

Off time: 15:44 | Winning time: 5m 13.3s

Crosshue Boy¹⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: S Doyle| OR: 123

25/1

Has won over hurdles around here before and picked up three wins in 13 starts this season. Switches to hurdles after disappointing recent spin over fences and is rated 5lb higher than when winning at Wexford last month in this sphere.

Form: 792190-

Drumcliff^t1⁸¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: J B Kane⁽⁴⁾| T: H Fry| OR: 123

10/1

British raider has yet to win over sticks, placing twice in five attempts. Held up and travelled well in Listed 2m contest at Musselburgh last time out but didn't muster a serious challenge. Rated 4lb lower now as he tackles this longer trip for the first time.

Form: 38-6225

Bilko⁹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: C D Meehan⁽⁴⁾| T: G Elliott| OR: 122

20/1

Winner of a maiden hurdle at Cork in November over 2m4f and went close next time out at Fairyhouse. Two handicap runs this year, both over 2m4f, have found him out a bit and was pulled up latest at Thurles in January. Represents top trainer.

Form: 2137P0-

Ben Dundee¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: Ricky Doyle⁽⁴⁾| T: A Lynch| OR: 120

20/1

Beaten around 7L on handicap debut over 2m4f at Wexford 19 days ago off this mark, gives him plenty to find on form in what looks sure to a competitive heat.

Form: 5-15724

Wood Breizh^p⁵⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: N M Kelly⁽⁴⁾| T: W P Mullins| OR: 120

20/1

Ran well at Dundalk on the AW last month over 2m trip. Trainer is respected but this fellow has plenty to prove off current rating with cheekpieces returning and others are preferred.

Form: 581/300-

Head Turner¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: C M Leonard⁽⁴⁾| T: P A Fahy| OR: 119

25/1

Useful hurdler and comes here off a win on the Flat, has a bit to find to get competitive off this rating back over timber.

Form: 1P1044

Bitview Colin^b,t¹⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: T N Brett⁽⁴⁾| T: J P Ryan| OR: 118

66/1

Patchy profile overall and has run with promise on just one of four outings since the turn of the year. Goes up in trip once more for this but on balance it is safest to look elsewhere for win purposes.

Form: 3700-94

Going For Broke^p¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: C Brassil⁽⁴⁾| T: Miss R Curtis| OR: 118

25/1

Won a couple of minor novice events in May last year, though has struggled in three runs since. 3lb lower than when struggling in pair of recent Ffos Las handicaps over this sort of trip and has plenty to find in this line-up on form.

Form: 6-11425

Tellthemnuttin¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: D Robinson⁽⁴⁾| T: W F Codd| OR: 117

9/1

Has five wins from 17 outings over these obstacles, including on most recent run over 3m at Wexford 19 days ago. Drops in distance now and has been raised 6lb for the win, could figure if turns up in similar mood.

Form: 216317-

A Rated⁶³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: B Browne⁽⁴⁾| T: L Kenny| OR: 116

16/1

Unable to open account in four outings in maiden hurdles at up to 2m4f, has run with some credit at times but needs to bring something more to the party if hoping to make a winning start in handicaps now.

Form: 34-4344

Close Shave²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: P D Kennedy| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 116

10/1

Improved showing on handicap debut when around 7L fourth behind Bilbo Bagins at Navan in March and built on that with narrow Fairyhouse success earlier this month, raised 7lb on the strength of that effort but could still be on the upgrade.

Form: 80641

Courtncatcher¹⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 11-5| J: C D Timmons⁽²⁾| T: P J Duffy| OR: 116

66/1

He's a six-time winner over hurdles but the most recent of those wins was back in August 2014. Looks exposed now switching back to this discipline after a mostly disappointing campaign over fences.

Form: 1U089-8

Crossed My Mind⁴⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Donagh Meyler| T: A L T Moore| OR: 116

14/1

Just the three runs over timber and got off the mark over 2m in Wexford maiden last month in ready style. That was an improved effort and ensures he is one to note now making his handicap debut over a longer trip.

Form: U41

Danali³⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: A McCurtin⁽²⁾| T: J J Walsh| OR: 116

33/1

Readily outclassed at Limerick last month in Grade Three Mares' Novice contest, just the one win from ten starts over timber and faces a stiff task off current rating seemingly.

Form: 2-32147

Shamiran^b,t³²

Age: 12| Weight: 11-5| J: D J Hand⁽⁴⁾| T: D A McLoughlin| OR: 116

20/1

Veteran loves it around here, with all hurdles wins coming at this track including for the third time in this race 12 months ago. Hasn't been at his best since however and despite the returning blinkers would be a surprise should he oblige again off a 1lb higher mark.

Form: 603867

First To Boogie²⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: John J Fitzpatrick⁽⁴⁾| T: Madeleine Tylicki| OR: 115

14/1

Was 4L in arrears of Close Shave over 2m4f at Fairyhouse recently, won a handicap here in November over 2m6f when rated 105. Not ruled out of it despite a competitive field.

Form: 120P40-

Benemeade¹⁷³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-3| J: B J Reynolds⁽⁴⁾| T: N Meade| OR: 114

33/1

Hasn't run over hurdles since 2014, struggled in 2m chase on first start for 558 days at Down Royal in November and off again since. Up significantly in distance but easier to look elsewhere for now.

Form: 1509/P-7

Blast Of Koeman^t²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: B J Foley⁽⁴⁾| T: R Tyner| OR: 114

13/2

Justified odds-on favouritism to score in a 2m maiden hurdle at Limerick last month, this is an altogether tougher proposition back handicapping and upped in distance. Career-best effort called for to repeat the trick.

Form: 25F801

Goulane Chosen²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: P E Corbett| T: David J McGrath| OR: 114

40/1

Modest record over timber, was well held over 2m at Limerick latest off this rating when switched from chasing. Upped significantly in trip for this, bit to prove however.

Form: 5FP145

Groundunderrepair³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: S A Shortall| T: W Greatrex| OR: 113

25/1

Lightly-raced British raider, scored maiden success at Lingfield in February over 2m though since well held on Plumpton handicap bow over 2m4f. This looks a stern examination though trainer's decision to come here should be noted.

Form: 5-32315

La Bella Vida¹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: J J Slevin⁽²⁾| T: Miss E Doyle| OR: 113

16/1

Mare ran a promising race last time over 2m at Fairyhouse to finish fourth. She's lightly-raced over timber and looks like this extra yardage will be to her liking. One of the more interesting contenders.

Form: 284315

Black Zero^b⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-13| J: D J McInerney⁽⁴⁾| T: M J McDonagh| OR: 110

20/1

In good form over fences this year, winning at Limerick last month and showed plenty appetite for this discipline at Fairyhouse recently when finishing a good second over 2m6f. Looks to have claims now off 3lb higher mark.

Form: 542212

Magic Of Light²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-10| J: R P Treacy⁽²⁾| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 107

11/1

Yet to score in five starts over timber, last month's Limerick effort over 2m6f was encouraging however and from just a 2lb higher mark there's every chance she'll figure near the business end again for a trainer in superb form.

Form: 574243

Undefined Beauty^h⁶⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 10-8| J: E O'Connell⁽⁴⁾| T: E Stanners| OR: 105

50/1

Kayf Tara mare scored a maiden hurdle win at Cork in August over 2m3f, but has been very well beaten in two handicap outings either side of a break since. Drops another 2lb for this contest.

Form: 421700-

Fridaynightlights⁵^{(ex 6)}

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: A Ring| T: G Elliott| OR: 99

5/1

Got going close home to score in fine style over 2m at Kilbeggan five days ago, that was just second start for this yard. Stays this sort of trip and while carrying a penalty for that win, will be a threat to all if getting in and in same mood (First Reserve).

Form: 882114

Non-Runners

Dawerann⁵

Weight: 10-11| Age: 8

T: G Elliott J: D P Maher

Bilbo Bagins²⁴

Weight: 10-7| Age: 8

T: A Murray J: Reserve 2

Maighnealta¹⁴⁴

Weight: 10-4| Age: 8

T: D McDonogh J: Reserve 3

Forecasts

Fridaynightlights (5/1), Blast Of Koeman (13/2), Tellthemnuttin (9/1), Close Shave (10/1), Drumcliff (10/1), Magic Of Light (11/1), Dawerann (12/1), Crossed My Mind (14/1), First To Boogie (14/1), A Rated (16/1), La Bella Vida (16/1), Ben Dundee (20/1), Black Zero (20/1), Shamiran (20/1), Bilko (20/1), Wood Breizh (20/1), Maighnealta (20/1), Crosshue Boy (25/1), Groundunderrepair (25/1), Head Turner (25/1), Going For Broke (25/1), Danali (33/1), Benemeade (33/1), Bilbo Bagins (33/1), Goulane Chosen (40/1), Undefined Beauty (50/1), Courtncatcher (66/1), Bitview Colin (66/1)

Shamiran comes here seeking a fourth win in this competitive contest but he's 1lb higher than when winning narrowly last year and his form since does little to inspire his chance. Close Shave maintained an upward curve to score at Fairyhouse recently and is respected despite a hike in the ratings given his trainer's recent form. Racing in the same colours is Crossed My Mind, who landed a Wexford maiden in tidy fashion recently, is one to look for on handicap debut and it will prove interesting to see which of the McManus pair attracts the money. The mare La Bella Vida is another worth considering after a promising effort at Fairyhouse but BLACK ZERO showed he retains the ability for this discipline at that same venue recently and he is a tentative selection to go one better now off a 3lb higher mark.