15:10 Punchestown

Thursday 19 October 2017

All13:2014:0514:3515:1015:4016:1016:4517:20

Punchestown November Festival Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:11 | Winning time: 5m 3.5s

Kauto Grand Mogol^t⁹⁵¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: C D Meehan⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss E Doyle| OR: 130

16/1

Promising fifth behind Killultagh Vic in the Martin Pipe at Cheltenham in March 2015 but hasn't been spotted since. 951-day absence blurs the water and caution surely is needed today.

Form: 214184/

Dysios^t²⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-5| J: R Loughran| T: D Cullen| OR: 128| D

14/1

Took advantage of lenient hurdles mark to score over this trip at Gowran Park last time out, coming away for a 10L success, carries another 9lb now but capable of getting in the mix again.

Form: 4287-31

Forever Gold¹⁷³

Age: 10| Weight: 11-5| J: C D Timmons⁽³⁾| T: E Cawley| OR: 128

33/1

Excellent showing in valuable handicap chase here in the spring when last spotted, finishing second to Sizing Codelco. High enough in ratings for hurdles return / seasonal bow and perhaps going to do best over fences this term.

Form: 202182-

Camlann^t1³³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Brian Hayes| T: J J Hanlon| OR: 127| D

33/1

Most recent win came over 2m (good) at Wexford in June off a mark of 122, has rather lost his way since over timber, some of which may be down to meeting testing ground.

Form: 12-1376

Sanibel Island¹⁴²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 126

20/1

Some promising efforts last term over 2m but has been rather flat on both attempts beyond that trip, interesting leading trainer choose this intermediate distance on return from summer recess. Market check required.

Form: 44165-7

Clara Sorrento^h⁷⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: A W Short⁽⁷⁾| T: N Meade| OR: 125| CD

8/1

Won here over this sort of trip in May from a mark of 116, finished second on both starts since, latest in competitive Galway Festival handicap. Up another 4lb here but expected to be in the mix.

Form: 307-122

Line Out²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: A E Lynch| T: J E Kiely| OR: 125| D

16/1

Improving lately, recording wins at Killarney (2m4f, good) and Cork (2m, good) before going down 11¼L in third behind Dysios at Gowran Park last month. Granted better surface and with terms revised, can get closer.

Form: 254113

Runyon Rattler⁴⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: J P O'Sullivan⁽⁷⁾| T: P J Rothwell| OR: 125| D

20/1

Career-best when winning 15-runner handicap hurdle at Bellewstown over 2m4f latest, this will likely be tougher and has been given a 7lb increase by the assessor.

Form: 9572-21

Waaheb⁵⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-2| J: B J Geraghty| T: C Roche| OR: 125

20/1

Veteran now and well beaten off in both starts for this handler, down in trip and has Geraghty to assist this time but others hold better claims.

Form: 12/30-79

Emcon⁵¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: K C Sexton| T: W J Austin| OR: 123| D

16/1

Third of five on seasonal debut in Ballinrobe chase over 2m1f. Won on soft ground in the past and capable of going well at a big price switched to this sphere.

Form: 94290-3

Prince Garyantle^p,t²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: B J Cooper| T: M J Smith| OR: 123| D

14/1

Career-best effort last time at Clonmel, winning 2m4f soft ground handicap with any amount in hand. Handicapper has judged it to be 15lb, won't be far away if in a similar mood.

Form: 224601

Benkei¹¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H Rogers| OR: 122

7/1

Another that won as he pleased on his previous hurdles start at Roscommon early last month (2m4½f, heavy), has since run in pair of classy Flat contests and handicapper has taken evasive action back in this sphere. In the mixture again nonetheless.

Form: 9/057-51

Prince Charmin'^p,t⁷⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 10-13| J: P E Corbett⁽³⁾| T: A J Martin| OR: 127| D

25/1

Just the five starts over flights and has won two of them, was running a fair race in valuable Galway handicap in August when exiting at the last, this is less demanding and is worthy of consideration representing shrewd handler.

Form: 431-1F

Alton Bay⁶¹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-12| J: Sean Flanagan| T: Peter Fahey| OR: 121

50/1

Just the five starts in this sphere, unseated on handicap debut at Tipperary (2m4f, good) in May and likely has some improving to do if hoping to land this.

Form: 4115/4-U

Ben Dundee¹⁷⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-11| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| OR: 120

13/8

Maiden winner over 2m at Navan in November and showed decent form thereafter in handicaps for Andrew Lynch, made switch to this top yard since and must be taken seriously on reappearance.

Form: 157245-

Venezia^t⁷⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-10| J: S J Gray⁽³⁾| T: E J O'Grady| OR: 119| D

33/1

Won over hurdles at Gowran Park in June on first start for this yard, decent effort last time over trip shorter than ideal on return to Flat at Leopardstown and could be on viable mark for this.

Form: 336-19

Round Tower^h,t⁷¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-8| J: Donagh Meyler| T: K Thornton| OR: 117

33/1

Maiden hurdle winner at Ballinrobe last year, struggled a bit over fences this summer in four starts but can be given a chance over the smaller obstacles off a workable mark.

Form: 23-4P06

Just Get Cracking¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-7| J: Paul Townend| T: J Dullea| OR: 116

12/1

Scored on reappearance at Tramore this month (2m5f) with plenty in hand and having been backed in the market. Raised 10lb for smooth success there but remains of interest.

Form: F3/430-1

Sharps Choice²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-7| J: Ruby Walsh| T: W P Mullins| OR: 116| D

12/1

Proving very consistent and deservedly opened his account at the 11th attempt when winning a maiden hurdle at Kilbeggan (2m3, soft) last month. Behind Dysios on handicap bow since but has pull at the weights now.

Form: 223515

Oscars Den^t1¹⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 10-6| J: D J McInerney⁽⁷⁾| T: T M Walsh| OR: 115| BF| D

7/1

Fragile sort with only seven runs behind at nine-years-old, reappeared at Tipperary early this month with credible effort over 2m in third fourth of nine. Up in trip, with tongue tie added and a very promising 7lb claimer on board, respected.

Form: 112/40-4

Undressed^t¹⁷³

Age: 9| Weight: 10-5| J: D E Mullins| T: M Hourigan| OR: 114| D

40/1

Winner over fences at Limerick in December but has failed to take much of an interest in three runs since (pulled up each time). Handicapper has given him a chance reverting to hurdles if willing to take it.

Form: 371PPP-

Unicorn^t¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 10-4| J: S A Shortall⁽³⁾| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 118

33/1

Surprise winner of a maiden hurdle at Downpatrick in August (2m2½f, good) but hasn't shown much promise in two soft-ground handicaps since.

Form: 80108

Non-Runners

Hallmark⁵⁴

Weight: 10-4| Age: 5

T: J P O'Brien J: Reserve 1

Black Zero⁹

Weight: 10-0| Age: 9

T: M J McDonagh J: Reserve 2

Carlitos Bay⁴⁹

Weight: 10-0| Age: 6

T: Peter Fahey J: Reserve 3

Forecasts

Ben Dundee (13/8), Benkei (7/1), Oscars Den (7/1), Clara Sorrento (8/1), Hallmark (11/1), Just Get Cracking (12/1), Sharps Choice (12/1), Black Zero (12/1), Prince Garyantle (14/1), Dysios (14/1), Line Out (16/1), Kauto Grand Mogol (16/1), Emcon (16/1), Runyon Rattler (20/1), Waaheb (20/1), Sanibel Island (20/1), Carlitos Bay (20/1), Prince Charmin' (25/1), Camlann (33/1), Venezia (33/1), Round Tower (33/1), Unicorn (33/1), Forever Gold (33/1), Undressed (40/1), Alton Bay (50/1)

The presence of Kauto Grand Mogul is intriguing, given he was last spotted running well in the Martin Pipe two seasons ago. His absence since is worrying, but he can is worth watching. This represents something of a nightmare for punters given the big field and the fact that few can be eliminated with any degree of certainty. Runyon Rattler produced his best work to win last time and can go well while a 7lb claim could get the fragile Oscars Den in the mix. Ben Dundee may have better days ahead for this new yard but JUST GET CRACKING scored with plenty in hand at Tramore last time when the money was down and, despite the assessor taking a dim view, could have more to say. Likewise, 10lb is not certain to halt last time out Gowran Park winner Dysios and Line Out (third behind him) is also worth a mention.