16:20 Punchestown

Wednesday 26 April 2017

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

Louis Fitzgerald Hotel Hurdle

Off time: 16:20 | Winning time: 4m 55.20s

Baden⁴⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 128

12/1

Was third in this contest a year ago for leading British trainer, just one win from four runs this season at Wetherby in December over 2m5f but other three runs all came in decent contests around Cheltenham, latest being 3m Albert Bartlett last month. Should go well again in this.

Form: 5-351P0

Battleford⁴⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Ruby Walsh| T: W P Mullins| OR: 135

6/4

Didn't perhaps live up to expectations in the Martin Pipe last month at Cheltenham but that was a tough and competitive race. Previous form stacks up well for a tilt at this prize and gets the assistance of Walsh in the saddle now too.

Form: 2-41228

Beyond The Obvious¹⁶⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: M J Bolger| T: M M Lynch

66/1

Won a maiden over 2m at Navan just over a year ago but was very disappointing on reappearance at Clonmel in November and hasn't been out since. Has plenty improvement to find to get involved in a finish with some of these.

Form: 71041-7

Burgas^t¹⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: B J Cooper| T: N Meade| OR: 132

10/1

A useful hurdler at his best, he spent the first part of this season over fences and has been only average in two runs back over timber. Most recently at Cork he was well held in a 2m3f handicap off a mark of 133. Will need best effort yet over flights to win this contest.

Form: 234373

C'Est Jersey^b⁴⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 131

7/1

Went from winning a Navan maiden hurdle over 2m4f to the Albert Bartlett last time, 100/1 shot there and never threatened to defy his odds. Gets first-time blinkers on now for this much more realistic target and can take closer order. Walsh prefers Battleford.

Form: 42-2310

Drumconnor Lad^t⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: R M Power| T: A Keatley| OR: 129

8/1

Step up to this trip at Fairyhouse earlier in the month worked the trick as he got off the mark third time of asking over timber, needing every yard to do so. This is obviously tougher again but could be on the upgrade and has man of the moment in the saddle for help.

Form: 223F31

Highway Royal¹⁷⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: D F O'Regan| T: S J Mahon| OR: 119

66/1

Winner of a minor maiden hurdle over 2m at Ballinrobe last summer, hasn't shown enough shown in two outings this season upped to this distance to merit confidence for this contest. Up against it on what we've seen so far.

Form: 075134

Milsean^t⁶⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 142

14/1

Found things all too difficult in Graded contests in final three starts for Mouse Morris, two of them over 3m but most recently dropped to 2m5f at Navan in February. Has since relocated to this trainer and no shock to see targets lowered. If recapturing 2015 form, he'd be the one to beat.

Form: 07F840-

Minella Till Dawn²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Mark Walsh| T: G Elliott| OR: 136

11/4

Looked set for place-money at worst in Fairyhouse Grade Two over this trip 24 days ago before crashing out at the last. If he's over that mishap then he looks destined for a leading role in this.

Form: 1-213F

Theophilus^p,t²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: B R Dalton| T: D McDonogh| OR: 123

50/1

Won his maiden over 2m at Leopardstown in December 2014, form since is nothing to write home about. Twice beaten off in competitive 2m handicaps at Limerick this season and has plenty to find stepping back up in trip amongst some potentially smart rivals.

Form: 50F/086-

Forecasts

Battleford (6/4), Minella Till Dawn (11/4), C'Est Jersey (7/1), Drumconnor Lad (8/1), Burgas (10/1), Baden (12/1), Milsean (14/1), Theophilus (50/1), Highway Royal (66/1), Beyond The Obvious (66/1)

Minella Till Dawn was bang in contention at Fairyhouse earlier in the month only to crash out at the last, he had however been under pressure for some time by that point so he had a tough race there. Milsean would be a huge danger on his best form and while he hasn't shown that for some time, the switch to this trainer might well send him back in the right direction so any market vibes in his favour are worth noting. Stablemates Battleford and C'est Jersey are both respected, with the former preferred dropping back in trip but it might pay to side with British raider BADEN. The Seven Barrows inmate was third in this 12 months ago and is a year stronger and wiser now, he's only managed one win in four starts this term but has been running in decent company and his trainer routinely has a few tricks up his sleeve at this meeting. Drumconnor Lad is a potential improver for a jockey in brilliant form.