20:15 Punchestown
Wednesday 17 May 2017
All17:4518:1518:4519:1519:4520:1520:45
Punchestown.com Handicap Hurdle (80-102)
- 4YO plus | 3m | Good | 24 Runners | Turf | Weighed In
- Off time: 20:20 | Winning time: 5m 58.1s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Has been running respectably on the Flat and has some decent form over flights in the book, tough task conceding weight all round on handicap bow.
A faller over fences at Killarney three days ago, he switches back to hurdles here and may be in need of a confidence boost. Tongue strap back on.
Won a Clonmel maiden over this trip in December 2015 before a year on the sidelines, pulled up both starts in January. Marks continues to slide however.
Has won over timber at Tramore though was well beaten when last sported at Clonmel over this trip and returns now from an eight-month layoff.
Scored over 2m4f at Tipperary a week ago in a driving finish, though later lost the race in the steward's room. Runs off the same mark here before reassessment kicks in.
Last of 11 in handicap chase at Down Royal (2m4f, good to firm) 16 days ago, has just the one win from nine previous starts over hurdles. Is 5lb higher with first-time blinkers on now.
Drops 1lb after below par effort at Down Royal over 2m6f in March, upped in journey here and needs to bounce back.
Below his best late last month at Perth over 2m4f but cannot be ruled out of the equation now racing off 10lb lower rating back in this country.
Record now reads 0/18 over obstacles but was decent third at Cork 12 days ago over this trip and has been raised just the minimum. Chance if turning up in the same mood..
Scored only success in 3m handicap hurdle at Wexford in July off a mark of 95, was badly out of form when last spotted at Downpatrick in October, market may be best guide to expectations on return.
Just the one success from 23 starts under rules, wears tongue strap for the first time now on debut for this trainer and must improve considerably on previous effort before a break.
Showed some promise in 2m4f maiden hurdle at Fairyhouse in December but subsequent efforts have been disappointing and comes with questions for now.
Poor run at Cork over this trip just 12 days ago, hasn't shown enough in six starts over timber to merit selection.
Showed some promise in penultimate outing at Limerick but was last of 20 in 2m handicap at Tipperary 27 days, upped significantly in trip now.
Beaten a fair distance in both maiden hurdle runs so far, latest at Thurles in January, makes handicap debut now and Walsh booked for shrewd yard.
Has shown some glimpses of potential in a couple of maidens at Limerick over 2m lately, though still needs plenty more going into handicaps for the first time.
Unplaced in all six starts over timber, latest over 2m6f at Downpatrick just 12 days ago. Gets another 2lb back here for longer trip but hard to see find the positives.
Beaten 23L on handicap hurdle debut at Wexford over 2m earlier this month, goes up in trip now and has plenty to find in this contest.
Hasn't won in a dozen runs since 2015, though did perform encouragingly at Downpatrick earlier this month over a shorter trip. Could go well now up in distance.
Unplaced in five outings over timber, beaten 55L on handicap bow at Kilbeggan last month over this sort of trip. Has a lot to find off a 1lb lower rating.
Runner-up in a point-to-point last month, has yet to win over hurdles in seven attempts but is appealingly weighted for this return to the sphere and trip isn't a problem.
One really solid effort from six over timber came at Punchestown on New Year's Eve, has been out of sorts since however and hood is now tried.
Showed significant improvement when third of 16 at Tramore over 2m5f on penultimate start, didn't build on it dropped to 2m since at Wexford but might be capable of doing so over this extended journey.
Looked ordinary on the Flat and has never really threatened in maiden hurdles to date, trying this 3m trip for the first time in handicap debut, might be one to note in the betting.
Non-Runners
6
Na Trachtalai Abu217
Weight: 11-11| Age: 7
T: J Motherway J: Mark Walsh
WD
26
Paleos Du Charmil12
Weight: 10-10| Age: 5
T: P Nolan J: Reserve 1
NR
27
Mountmellick Girl209
Weight: 10-9| Age: 5
T: B W Duke J: Reserve 2
NR
28
Larkfield Lass31
Weight: 10-8| Age: 7
T: R P Rath J: Reserve 3
NR
Forecasts
Knockraha King (11/4), Nobody Home (5/1), Nerual (8/1), Na Trachtalai Abu (10/1), Seaweed (12/1), Billy Flight (16/1), Our Sox (16/1), Paleos Du Charmil (16/1), Areema (20/1), Concience (20/1), Billy De Kid (20/1), For Freddie (20/1), Clay Allison (20/1), Lady Mona Lisa (20/1), Hanover Street (25/1), Milestone Prince (25/1), Inspector Caldy (25/1), Ballinahow Bill (25/1), The Informer (28/1), Aces And Kings (28/1), Small World (33/1), Mosstown Miller (33/1), The Rite Article (33/1), Batchelors Walk (33/1), Redmond Hall (33/1), Larkfield Lass (33/1), Scantyanduncertain (66/1), Mountmellick Girl (66/1)
KNOCKRAHA KING was first past the post at Tipperary last week though he lost the race in the steward's room subsequently, racing off the same mark now before reassessment, he may be able to make amends in what looks a competitive line-up. Nobody Home was third over this trip at Cork recently and can build on that effort while the booking of the champion jockey on Seaweed means he deserves some attention in the market ahead of his first start in a handicap. Lady Mona Lisa and Batchelors Walk could improve their efforts going handicapping while Aces And Kings is nicely weighted if able to transfer last month's point-to-point run into this game.
- Knockraha King
- Nobody Home
- Aces And Kings
Prize Money
1st: €6,775.002nd: €2,101.003rd: €1,002.004th: €450.005th: €176.00
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