15:15 Punchestown

Sunday 11 February 2018

All13:4014:1014:4015:1515:4516:2016:50

Entire Cheltenham Festival On Racing UK Handicap Hurdle (80-109)

Off time: 15:19 | Winning time: 6m 37.70s

Undressed^b,t⁴⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: T Ryan⁽⁷⁾| T: M Hourigan| OR: 109

20/1

One from 12 in his hurdling career including a disappointing 62L defeat last time out on heavy ground in a Limerick handicap hurdle in December. Needs to improve in this company.

Form: P-03P50

Paper Lantern^t¹¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-11| J: D J Hand⁽⁷⁾| T: K Thornton| OR: 108| D

7/1

Better over the larger obstacles than he is over hurdles being without a win in ten efforts over timber. Very little to be positive about on form shown.

Form: 1-5P483

Georges Conn¹⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-8| J: T N Brett⁽⁷⁾| T: J P Ryan| OR: 105

14/1

Hints of a return to form last time out in a Fairyhouse handicap chase last month. Market likely to be best guide on return to hurdling since finishing fourth of 11 at Ballinrobe in August 2015.

Form: 4PP092

Swingbridge^b,t¹²

Age: 10| Weight: 11-8| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| OR: 105| D

10/3

Better over the larger obstacles than he is over timber but is still a solid option here and appears to be on a handy mark here for powerful trainer/jockey combo.

Form: 246323

Lisclogher Lad²²

Age: 11| Weight: 11-3| J: D P Holden⁽⁷⁾| T: S G Walsh| OR: 100| D

20/1

Had his first spin over hurdles in a while when finishing ninth of 17 beaten 60L in a Navan handicap hurdle. One from 13 over timber and has work to do based on current form.

Form: 67UUP9

Danse Away¹²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-8| J: D E Splaine| T: T J Nagle-Jr| OR: 91| D

11/2

Appeared to appreciate the drop to 2m4f last time out in a improved performance when finishing second of nine beaten 2½L here in a novice hurdle last month. Looks vulnerable stepped back up in trip.

Form: 789502

Rare Legend^p⁴¹

Age: 11| Weight: 10-7| J: Brian Hayes| T: J J Hanlon| OR: 90| D

16/1

Won on a raid to Huntingdon in November beating six rivals by 10L. Beaten in two hurdle starts since including an inadequate display at Fairyhouse last month when beaten 93L. Looks opposable.

Form: 313P59

Wood Emery^t1³⁶⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-7| J: D F O'Regan| T: A Fleming| OR: 90

13/2

Has produced two laboured displays in maiden hurdles at Naas this year and plenty of work to do on what he has shown so far.

Form: 8500-

Benarty Hill¹¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: A W Short⁽⁵⁾| T: L Lennon| OR: 85| D

7/1

17 race maiden over hurdles but clearly in good heart currently following a number of solid displays over the larger obstacles recently including an 11L win at Down Royal last month. Worth a market check on return to hurdling.

Form: 752421

Heather Moth^b¹²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: D J Mullins| T: M Phelan| OR: 85| D

5/1

Has won a point-to-point in heavy ground but beaten out of sight in five starts over hurdles before a promising third of 13 beaten 10L here in a handicap hurdle over 2m6f. Will need to improve again to take a hand in the finish.

Form: 0890P3

Maureen's Star^b1¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-12| J: J B Kane⁽⁵⁾| T: L Lennon| OR: 84

33/1

Maiden after 12 starts and failed to figure in three outings since returning to rules following a couple of point-to-point starts in October. Very little to be positive about here.

Form: 574808

Take A Chance On R^p²¹⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 9-11| J: D Robinson⁽⁵⁾| T: P M Mooney| OR: 80

50/1

Very modest 80-rated 11 race maiden over hurdles when with trainer Gary Caldwell. Looks a tall order on return to the track following break.

Form: 480-8PP

Forecasts

Swingbridge (10/3), Heather Moth (5/1), Danse Away (11/2), Wood Emery (13/2), Benarty Hill (7/1), Paper Lantern (7/1), Georges Conn (14/1), Rare Legend (16/1), Undressed (20/1), Lisclogher Lad (20/1), Maureen's Star (33/1), Take A Chance On R (50/1)

Lisclogher Lad and Danse Away could cut out the early running here with Rare Legend and Wood Emery not far behind the leading pair. SWINGBRIDGE could well take advantage of the early leaders to make late headway under Davy Russell for trainer Gordon Elliott. Benarty Hill is still a 17 race maiden over hurdles but clearly in good heart currently following a number of solid displays over the larger obstacles recently and can hit the frame with Georges Conn.