13:40 Punchestown

Sunday 31 December 2017

All12:3513:0513:4014:1014:4015:1515:45

Free Festival Upgrade Ticket Offer Hurdle

Off time: 13:40 | Winning time: 5m 16.0s

Ex Patriot⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 11-8| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: Miss Ellmarie Holden| OR: 144| D

7/2

Grade 3 placed contender who resumed winning ways when stepping up to this trip at Limerick last time out. This looks tougher but he almost certainly has more to offer over this trip.

Form: D43-331

Tigris River^t²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: B J Geraghty| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 148| D

10/1

Well-beaten in big field handicap hurdles the last twice, but showed his class when winning the Galway Hurdle in August and should be able to give a good account of himself back in a conditions race.

Form: 5-71190

Diamond King^t²¹⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| OR: 157| CD

6/1

Returns from chasing, where he never really got going, but has a good record over this trip when hurdling (including C&D). Off since May and is a interesting contender.

Form: 154PP-5

Ivanovich Gorbatov^t²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Mark Walsh| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 148

9/1

No win since the 2016 Triumph Hurdle. Has run a couple of promising races since including in the Country Hurdle this year, but generally best watched until showing more certain signs of a revival.

Form: 4336-00

Killultagh Vic⁷¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 150| C| D

9/10

Unbeaten in his last four runs dating back to January 2015, but has clearly had his issues given how lightly-raced he has been since (off since January 2016). Should be easily good enough to account for these if in his best form.

Form: 231111/

Lean Araig¹⁰⁴³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: B Browne⁽⁵⁾| T: O McKiernan| OR: 134| C

25/1

On a four-timer but hasn't been seen since February 2015 (when winning a Grade 2). Clearly has the class to win a race of this nature but more than entitled to need the run.

Form: 427111/

Massini's Trap^b⁶³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: D Robinson⁽⁵⁾| T: J Nash| OR: 132| D

25/1

Good enough to get involved in this on his very best form, but hasn't been particularly impressive recently and needs an improved effort now.

Form: 61200-3

Whatever Jacksays¹⁹¹¹

Age: 12| Weight: 11-4| J: Mr J W Reilly⁽⁷⁾| T: O McKiernan| OR: 142| C| D

50/1

Makes his first start for over five years, and though he won a Grade 3 when last seen he will surely need the after such a long absence.

Form: 111011/

Jennys Melody²²⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 10-11| J: A E Lynch| T: S R B Crawford| OR: 130| BF| D

50/1

Disappointing when sent off favourite at Aintree in May and has been off since. Generally better over further these days and has plenty to find on ratings on stable debut.

Form: 4P5P1-6

Forecasts

Killultagh Vic (9/10), Ex Patriot (7/2), Diamond King (6/1), Ivanovich Gorbatov (9/1), Tigris River (10/1), Massini's Trap (25/1), Lean Araig (25/1), Jennys Melody (50/1), Whatever Jacksays (50/1)

Killultagh Vic obviously has the class to see of these on his best form but like a few others here he returns after a long absence and preference if for EX PATRIOT. A classy juvenile hurdler last season he has made the step up to senior hurdling smoothly and seemed to improve for the step up in trip when winning well at Limerick last time. He could do with jumping better here but if he can manage that he can account for the rest, including Diamond King, who should enjoy this return to 2m4f hurdling.