18:40 Punchestown

Thursday 27 April 2017

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

Ryanair Novice Chase (Grade 1)

Off time: 18:41 | Winning time: 4m 6.50s

Baily Cloud^p,t¹¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: D J Mullins| T: M F Morris| OR: 145

20/1

Dual winner over fences in the summer, but often let down by jumping, and probably flattered when 5¾ lengths fourth of six to Road To Respect in Grade 1 Ryanair Gold Cup at Fairyhouse last time. Others look stronger once more.

Form: 354UF4

Ball D'Arc¹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: B J Cooper| T: G Elliott| OR: 153

11/2

Won three on the bounce from the turn of the year, including Grade 3 events at Navan and Naas. Creditable third to Road To Respect in Grade 1 Ryanair Gold Cup at Fairyhouse on most recent start, and holds place claims again, for all he's beginning to look exposed.

Form: 311123

Ballyoisin⁶⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Mark Walsh| T: E Bolger| OR: 144

7/1

Won at Fairyhouse (2m1f, soft) in January, but let down by jumping over fences either side of that, albeit looking a big threat to Ball D'Arc at Navan when capsizing last time. Clearly capable of smart form, and worthy of respect despite doubts about his technique.

Form: 31/F1FF-

Great Field³³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: J S McGarvey| T: W P Mullins| OR: 159

9/10

Promising hurdler who is unbeaten in three runs since switching to fences, and blew his rivals out of the water with a powerful front-running display at Thurles (2m2f) last month despite a blunder two out. Looks destined for big things assuming he can tidy up his jumping.

Form: 11P-111

Ordinary World⁴⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: D N Russell| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 148

7/1

Suited by good ground and two miles, and built on earlier form over fences when third to Altior in Arkle at Cheltenham last month. Found only Min too strong on previous start, and likely to give a solid account again.

Form: F-01223

Powersbomb^h⁴⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: M P Fogarty| T: B McMahon| OR: 134

20/1

Has shown progressive form in handicaps this season, recovering from a bad blunder when second at Leopardstown, and arguably outstayed when fine fourth to Tully East at Cheltenham last month. Drop in trip will suit, and capable of going well at a likely big price.

Form: 0U1F24

Townshend⁴⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Ruby Walsh| T: W P Mullins| OR: 139

8/1

Found only Ballyoisin too strong on chase debut at Fairyhouse in January, and not hard pressed to land odds at Naas last month. Lacks experience for a race like this, but clearly open to improvement, so not dismissed out of hand.

Form: 401/21F-

Listen Dear⁷⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 139

16/1

Looked an exciting prospect when winning first three starts over fences late last year, and possibly not right when only fourth to Slowmotion at Naas in February (found little). May bounce back, but this represents by far her stiffest task to date.

Form: 1-11114

Non-Runners

A Toi Phil²

Weight: 11-10| Age: 7

T: G Elliott J: Jack Kennedy

Forecasts

Great Field (9/10), Ball D'Arc (11/2), Ordinary World (7/1), Ballyoisin (7/1), Townshend (8/1), Listen Dear (16/1), Powersbomb (20/1), A Toi Phil (20/1), Baily Cloud (20/1)

GREAT FIELD absolutely annihilated his rivals at Thurles last month, and that form has since been franked by runner-up Hurricane Ben who returns himself earlier on the card. He's hard to oppose here, with Arkle third Ordinary World perhaps his main rival, although Powersbomb shaped very well at Cheltenham, and will appreciate a strong pace at this trip.