19:30 Punchestown
Wednesday 31 May 2017
All18:0018:3019:0019:3020:0020:3021:00
Festival Dreams Begin In Ireland With Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Maiden Hurdle
- 4YO plus  |  2m 4f 80y  |  Good  |  24 Runners  |  Turf  |   Weighed In
- Off time: 19:32Â Â |Â Â Winning time: 4m 54.30s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Kalanisi half-brother to useful bumper performer Sassy Diva, but he's not shown much ability in a couple of outings over hurdles to date.
Laveron gelding who cost €58,000 as a 3-y-o, and hails from a successful French jumping family. Finished third of 15 in a maiden point last April, and represents an in-form yard, so needs consideration on rules debut despite lengthy absence.
First foal of a 1m flat winner who later scored at a modest level over hurdles. Yard's runners in this sphere yet to make any impact, however, and easy enough to look elsewhere.
Black Sam Bellamy half-brother to fairly useful chaser Mitebeall Forluck and winning hurdler Knar Mardy out of a maiden sister to Cheltenham festival winners Cyborgo and Hors La Loi III. Appeals on pedigree, but pulled up on both starts in points, and something to prove starting out over hurdles.
Seemed exposed as moderate until putting in an improved effort to finish third to Act In Time in maiden at Killarney last time with cheekpieces refitted. Headgear retained now, but needs to prove that he can back that effort up.
Brother to yard's bumper and hurdles winner Otterstown Lady, and closely related to same connections' fairly useful 2m winning hurdler Conright Boy, out of a mare who won over 1¼m on the flat. Fitting of tongue tie for debut is an obvious concern, but small yard does well with limited ammunition, and not without appeal on paper.
Windsor Knot half-brother to several fairly useful winners over hurdles out of a mare who also scored in this discipline. Entitled to need the experience on debut, but in good hands, and merits a market check for signs of confidence.
Only just denied on sole start between the flags, and has run well on both bumper outings, winning comfortably at Wexford (2m4f) a week ago. Sure to be well prepared for first attempt over hurdles, and commands plenty of respect for leading connections with tongue tie he wore last time retained.
Modest form at best in bumpers having pulled up on first two starts over timber, and no encouragement since returning to hurdles on last couple of starts.
Keen sort who won a point in February, but has been well held in three starts under rules since, with a hood deployed on last couple of outings. Not entirely disgraced over 3m here last time, and likely to do better, but plenty more required nonetheless.
Has shown very useful form in bumpers, winning a maiden at Leopardstown by ½ length from Voix des Tiep in February, and well fancied but raced too keenly when behind Fayonagh in Grade 1 here last month. Looks the type to make a decent hurdler, and likely to make a bold bid for top yard on hurdles debut.
Millenary gelding who was placed on both starts in points almost a year apart, and coming back from another absence when finishing mid-field on hurdles bow at Limerick (2m) 10 days ago. Longer trip will benefit this stoutly-bred sort, but profile suggests he's fragile.
Gamut half-sister to yard's flagbearer Jennie's Jewel (Ascot Stakes winner), out of a useful dual bumper/hurdles winner. May need more time, but not dismissed out of hand given her attractive pedigree, and market check essential.
Court Cave gelding out of a half-sister to smart chaser Cannington Brook. Not without support on bumper debut at Killarney recently, but failed to meet expectations in finishing down the field. Likely to do better in time, but others readily preferred now.
Ninth foal of an unraced half-sister to useful 3m chasers Eirespray and Shannon Gale but dam's previous offspring haven't made much of a splash, and easy enough to oppose on that basis.
Flat-bred gelding who has run to a fair level on his completed starts over hurdles, and easy to forgive latest run when his saddle slipped. Quite a keen-goer, however, and stamina for this trip not assured on pedigree.
Fairly useful performer on the level, winning a 13f maiden at Navan last summer, and gelded after running poorly on his final start for Aidan O'Brien. Headgear combination he wore for flat success is again in evidence, so unlikely to want for fitness, and market will guide as to his chances.
Milan gelding out of a maiden half-sister to useful bumper/jumps winner Morning Supreme. Showed ability before weakening late on hurdles debut at Killarney, and sure to do better, but will find easier openings than this in time.
Sakhee gelding who won a 15f maiden at Dieppe last summer for Pia Brandt, showing useful form, and has since joined Willie Mullins. New yard could hardly be in better form, with four wins from five runners in last week, and looks the one they have to beat.
Half-brother to smart performer and successful sire Great Pretender, but limited promise in a couple of bumpers, and makes no great appeal now tackling hurdles.
Arakan half-brother to fairly useful chaser Static Jack and bumper winner Your Teepee Or Mine. Quite a cheap purchase, and faces a stiffish task on rules debut.
Failed to finish in points, and sent off at big odds for hurdles bow at Kilbeggan in April, seeming to run creditably. Couldn't match that form here last time, however, and likely he's flattered by that initial effort.
Eighth foal of a moderate but well-related hurdles winner. Dam's previous offspring failed to register a win, however, and easy to pass him over.
Made her debut in a listed bumper at Limerick, but soundly beaten there, and similar story in a maiden hurdle at Kilbeggan recently.
Forecasts
Lac Kivu (11/8), Someday (11/8), Major Destination (11/2), Cinema De Quartier (16/1), Immortal Bridge (20/1), Iusetaluvheronce (20/1), Charle Brune (33/1), Blunder Buss (50/1), Wilkie Collins (50/1), Herobrine (50/1), Perfect Leader (66/1), Officers Mess (66/1), Unwanted (66/1), Casadel Sol (66/1), Dino's Dream (66/1), Jimmyjo (66/1), Last One Out (66/1), Vellutato (100/1), Fleetwood Jack (100/1), Breesy Mountain (100/1), Rudy Catrail (100/1), Noreaway (100/1), Katbart (100/1), Static Pat (100/1)
Willie Mullins has his powerful string in top form at present, and French flat recruit LAC KIVU looks the safest option here, although he'll need to be useful to score at the first attempt with promising bumper winners Someday and Major Destination in opposition. The former was quietly fancied to beat Fayonagh here last month, and could be a big threat if he can settle better than he did that day.
- Lac Kivu
- Someday
- Major Destination
Prize Money
1st: €8,007.002nd: €2,483.003rd: €1,183.004th: €534.005th: €208.00
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