16:15 Punchestown

Thursday 27 April 2017

All15:4016:1516:5017:3018:0518:4019:1519:45

pigsback.com Nick Coen Memorial Handicap Chase (Grade B)

Off time: 16:15 | Winning time: 4m 9.50s

Hurricane Ben^t¹¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: D N Russell| T: J G Sheehan| OR: 145

5/1

Without usual tongue tie when second to impressive Great Field at Thurles, and much improved form when making all the running to land novices' handicap chase at Fairyhouse last time from Don't Touch It. Respected despite a 9lb rise.

Form: 424214-

Don't Touch It^p1¹¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Mark Walsh| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 144

5/1

Won Grade 1 hurdle at last year's meeting, beating Petit Mouchoir; not yet at that level over fences, but good efforts in defeat last twice, giving weight to Hurricane Ben most recently, and one to consider with cheekpieces tried for first time here and yard in flying form.

Form: 133122

Tully East⁴⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: D F O'Regan| T: A Fleming| OR: 144

5/1

Impressive winner of only start here over hurdles, and already a better chaser, landing significant gamble when winning novices' handicap at Cheltenham (2m4f) last month. Looks to have tactical speed to cope with drop in trip, and not at all harshly treated for that success.

Form: 64-1621

Bold Henry⁴¹

Age: 11| Weight: 11-3| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 138

25/1

Hold-up performer who is smart on his day, but hard to predict in recent seasons, and often let down by jumping. Never threatened to get involved in Grand Annual at Cheltenham last month, and others make significantly more appeal on balance of form.

Form: P62420

Mr Fiftyone⁴¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: R M Power| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 138

10/1

Finished good fourth in this race a year ago from 5lb lower mark, before bagging a brace of course wins. Not been in the same form since, although latest run came after a 5-month break, and not a huge surprise if he was revived at this venue for a trainer and jockey in flying form.

Form: 506406-

Shadow Catcher^p,t³²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: M P Fogarty| T: G Elliott| OR: 137

25/1

Winner over hurdles here, but that was back in 2011, and not as reliable as he once was. Form this season patchy at best, following a good run at Thurles (2m2f, heavy) with a lesser effort over timber last time. Looks in handicapper's grip even if bouncing back.

Form: UPP248-

Sizing Platinum^t1⁴¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: H Cobden| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 137

9/1

Won first two chase starts in 2015, but frustrating since. Set to go close when taking crashing fall at Ludlow in December, but ran badly at Cheltenham last month, and must bounce back in a first-time tongue tie.

Form: 0294F0

Neverushacon¹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: M J Bolger| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 133

16/1

Won fast-ground maiden chase at Limerick (2m1f) in July, and narrowly beaten in Grade 3 novice at Gowran in October. Returning from a break when fourth to Hurricane Ben at Fairyhouse recently, and entitled to be sharper for that outing.

Form: U52443-

Potters Point^t⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-10| J: B J Cooper| T: G Elliott| OR: 131

9/2

Lightly raced since landing bumper here for Willie Mullins in 2015. Has won both starts for current yard, maiden hurdle at Galway in October, and similar event over fences at Fairyhouse nine days ago. Unexposed, but lack of experience an obvious worry on handicap debut.

Form: 133/115-

Colla Pier¹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-7| J: Sean Flanagan| T: D P Dunne| OR: 128

28/1

Runner-up in small-field listed event at Doncaster in December, but probably flattered by that effort, and well held in face of stiff tasks all starts since. This is easier in theory, but she's not obviously well handicapped, even if her best form is taken at face value.

Form: 382554

Usa⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 10-5| J: Paul Townend| T: S J Mahon| OR: 126

18/1

Seemed to improve when second to Realt Mor at Ballinrobe in August, but that form hardly solid, and well held under massive weight at Tipperary on only subsequent chase start. In good form on flat at Dundalk in recent weeks, but plenty more on his plate here.

Form: 795025-

Caolaneoin^t⁴⁷

Age: 11| Weight: 9-11| J: Robbie Colgan| T: S Nolan| OR: 118

20/1

Largely consistent, but has gained just one win in his last 33 starts over hurdles and fences, and although he's been given a chance by the handicapper after a rare poor effort last time, he makes little appeal for win purposes.

Form: 274562-

Just Get Cracking¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 9-10| J: Phillip Enright| T: J Dullea| OR: 117

11/1

Both career wins have come at Tramore, and reliable on the whole, running well enough on return from a break at his favoured track earlier this month. Should find another race, but might need his sights lowered a little first.

Form: 52F3-43

Non-Runners

Draycott Place²⁸

Weight: 11-0| Age: 8

T: J P Ryan J: Danny Mullins

Third Opinion³⁷

Weight: 10-0| Age: 9

T: G Elliott J: Jack Kennedy

Forecasts

Potters Point (9/2), Don't Touch It (5/1), Hurricane Ben (5/1), Tully East (5/1), Sizing Platinum (9/1), Mr Fiftyone (10/1), Third Opinion (10/1), Just Get Cracking (11/1), Draycott Place (14/1), Neverushacon (16/1), Usa (18/1), Caolaneoin (20/1), Shadow Catcher (25/1), Bold Henry (25/1), Colla Pier (28/1)

Hurricane Ben and Don't Touch It renew rivalry after finishing first and second at Fairyhouse, and there's not much to choose between them, but they may struggle to concede weight to Cheltenham Festival winner TULLY EAST, who looks to have been leniently treated for that impressive win. He can follow up here.