16:30 Punchestown

Tuesday 30 January 2018

All13:1513:4514:2014:5515:3016:0016:30

Toals.com Bookmakers Football Acca Insurance Handicap Hurdle (80-102)

Off time: 16:31 | Winning time: 6m 7.80s

Poormans Hill³^{(ex 4)}

Age: 7| Weight: 11-13| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 99| D

4/5

Successful on his first four starts since joining this stable in the autumn and, though held off higher chase marks of late, he returned to hurdles to win in good style at Fairyhouse (3m, heavy) on Saturday. Obvious claims under 4lb penalty.

Form: 112451

Carrigeen Acebo^h¹⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: Miss E A Lalor⁽⁵⁾| T: R H Lalor| OR: 100

12/1

Multiple point-to-point winner and chase scorer. Lightly raced for his age and ran well to finish a 4L third of 17 over hurdles at Navan (2m4f, heavy) last time out. Still well-treated compared to chase rating.

Form: 6-04943

So Influential¹⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Mr C L Murphy⁽⁷⁾| T: E Sheehy| OR: 100

33/1

Dual point-to-point winner began his hurdling career with a good second in a maiden hurdle at Tramore (2m5f, heavy) but very disappointing in similar events twice since. Plenty to prove on his handicap debut.

Form: 134-255

Cowboy Des Long^b³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: D N Russell| T: J J Mangan| OR: 99

10/1

Point-to-point winner on testing ground but, despite a couple of placed efforts in maiden hurdles, has struggled since moving to handicaps. Mark is falling gradually, however, and interesting to see Davey Russell booked.

Form: 0-33904

The Church Gate^p,t³³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: A E Lynch| T: M J Smith| OR: 97| BF| D

9/1

Consistent performer, better than a win ratio of 1 from 19 suggests but twice just found wanting since incurring an 8lb rise for scoring at Thurles (2m6f, soft) in November. Each-way prospects nonetheless.

Form: P35133

Ask Heather²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Mr L P Gilligan⁽⁷⁾| T: J Dullea| OR: 95

25/1

Debut run at Tramore was a sound enough introduction and she put two modest subsequent efforts behind her when finishing a close up fourth on her handicap debut at Tramore (2m5f, heavy) last time. Still has to do the business elsewhere.

Form: 5084

Ballymadun⁵⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: D J Hand⁽⁷⁾| T: D A McLoughlin| OR: 92

5/1

Landed a gamble at Gowran Park in the autumn when helped by fallers. Failed to build on that next time but bounced back to form last month when second at Clonmel (2m3f, heavy). Capable of making presence felt.

Form: 9-80102

Bronco Bill⁷³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Sean Flanagan| T: N Meade| OR: 92

12/1

Now a 16 race maiden over hurdles who has failed to kick on since finishing second of 16 at Fairyhouse in October. That said, he wasn't disgraced behind Shar Whats Therush at Fairyhouse last time and could easily feature.

Form: 372754

The Grey Guy³³

Age: 11| Weight: 11-2| J: P F Mangan| T: B O'Keeffe| OR: 92

14/1

Not had that much racing for an 11-year-old and took advantage of a falling mark to win over 2m5f at Limerick (heavy) last month. Not an obvious one to follow up from 5lb higher but stays well and could be in the mix.

Form: 7003-51

Ballinabearna⁵⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-13| J: Phillip Enright| T: R Tyner| OR: 92

20/1

Unfancied and soundly beaten in three maiden hurdles so far in testing conditions. For all that, his most recent effort at Clonmel was more encouraging and he's worth a second look on his handicap debut over a longer trip.

Form: 007

Mr Cosmos⁶¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-10| J: Robbie Colgan| T: W J McLernon| OR: 86

66/1

Has found it tough going at long odds in four starts in maiden hurdles so far, all over 2m, but he gives the impression a longer trip should suit. May have more to offer now going handicapping.

Form: 0-008

Heather Moth^b²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: D J Mullins| T: M Phelan| OR: 85

33/1

Has won a point-to-point in heavy ground but beaten out of sight in each of her five starts over hurdles, including when pulled up on her handicap debut at Fairyhouse (2m7f, heavy). Readily opposed.

Form: 0-0890P

Quay Witness⁵²

Age: 5| Weight: 10-6| J: J P O'Sullivan⁽⁷⁾| T: W J Martin| OR: 85

50/1

Very little to shout about in two bumpers and four outings over hurdles, finishing totally tailed off on soft ground at Navan last month. Hard to make a credible case for.

Form: 70UP00

Forecasts

Poormans Hill (4/5), Ballymadun (5/1), The Church Gate (9/1), Cowboy Des Long (10/1), Bronco Bill (12/1), Carrigeen Acebo (12/1), The Grey Guy (14/1), Ballinabearna (20/1), Ask Heather (25/1), Heather Moth (33/1), So Influential (33/1), Quay Witness (50/1), Mr Cosmos (66/1)

POORMANS HILL has improved out of sight since joining Gordon Elliott and capitalised on a lenient hurdles rating (compared to his chase mark) when scoring with ease at Fairyhouse on Saturday. Providing he has fully recovered from those exertions, it's hard to see a 4lb penalty stopping him barring accidents. Should the race come too soon, Ballymadun, Carrigeen Acebo, and Bronco Bill look the best equipped to profit.