15:40 Punchestown

Wednesday 25 April 2018

All15:4016:2016:5517:3018:0518:4019:15

Adare Manor Opportunity Series Final Handicap Hurdle (95-123)

Off time: 15:41 | Winning time: 5m 25.1s

Brave Out³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: A McCurtin⁽²⁾| T: J E Kiely| OR: 123| D

20/1

Successful off a 5lb lower mark at Wexford last month (2m4f+ heavy), but didn't find 2m3f at Downpatrick enough of a stamina test latest when finishing a staying on 10L third to Game of War.

Form: 932713

Thirsty Work^p,t1⁴⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: P D Kennedy| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 123| BF

16/1

Raced solely over fences so far this campaign, with his best effort coming at this track in December (2m+ soft to heavy), when beaten 19L by Robin Des Mana. Wears a first time tongue tie.

Form: 75F26F

Fine Theatre^b,t²³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: P E Corbett| T: P Nolan| OR: 122

16/1

Brought down early doors (fifth) in the Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse over Easter, and reverts back to hurdles bidding for a first timber success since January 2015.

Form: 47U42B

Tourboy^p1,t⁷⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: Ricky Doyle⁽²⁾| T: M Fahey| OR: 122| C

16/1

Held by Mount Hanover when falling at the last in a 2m4f novice hurdle at Thurles in February, and doesn't have much experience to draw upon in this type of competitive handicap. Wears first time cheek-pieces.

Form: 70-1P9F

O Ceallaigh²³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: R M Short⁽⁴⁾| T: Peter Fahey| OR: 121

25/1

Runner up, but beaten 25L on his first hurdles start since April 2016 at Thurles last month (2m7f heavy). Well beaten at Fairyhouse next time over the Easter period.

Form: 24-7526

Prince Garyantle^p,t¹⁸⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: A W Short⁽⁴⁾| T: M J Smith| OR: 121| D

25/1

Off the track since mid October, so his race fitness must be taken on trust. Now 13lb higher than when winning by 23L at Clonmel the previous month (2m4f soft).

Form: 246018

Man Of Plenty^t⁴⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-9| J: S P Houlihan⁽²⁾| T: Mrs S Leech| OR: 120| D

14/1

Infrequent winner who holds very few secrets from the handicapper. However, arrives on the back of a fine fifth of 17 to Mr Antolini in the Imperial Cup at Sandown (2m soft).

Form: 255475

Water Sprite^t¹²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: A Ring| T: G Elliott| OR: 120

20/1

Not won over hurdles since August 2016 (2m1f Bellewstown mares hurdle), but she's a versatile sort who has proved her worth over both fences and on the Flat since.

Form: F-33B54

Black Key⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: D P Holden⁽⁴⁾| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 119

12/1

Remains a maiden over hurdles (0 from 9), but he's proved consistent, being beaten just 2¼L by Catwalk King in a 2m4f Fairyhouse maiden last week.

Form: 57-3232

Smokey Joe Joe^t¹²

Age: 12| Weight: 11-8| J: D J Hand⁽⁴⁾| T: S J Mahon| OR: 119| D

16/1

Veteran who is a winner of 7 races from 41 career starts. Inching back up the weights after a series of respectable efforts, and a further 1lb higher for his 4L third to Seskinane at Ballinrobe (2m6f heavy) recently.

Form: F16223

Allardyce¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: S J Gray| T: E J O'Grady| OR: 118

10/1

Raised 6lb for his decisive 2m3f Thurles maiden hurdle victory earlier this month; beating Last Minute Man by 7½L. Races over further than ever before today in his 13 race career.

Form: 232321

Hey Little Boy³¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Katie O'Farrell⁽⁴⁾| T: W P Mullins| OR: 118| D

20/1

Lacks experience of competitive handicaps, and appears held by both Brave Out and Tourboy on the strength of his recent efforts, but we know that he stays well (previous 2m5f winner), and he represents the ever feared Willie Mullins.

Form: 167F5

Caro Des Flos³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: N M Kelly⁽²⁾| T: W P Mullins| OR: 117| BF

10/1

Failed to convert a golden opportunity at Downpatrick last month (2m3f maiden soft), and is now 0 from 8 over hurdles. Far from certain that a step back up in trip is what's required.

Form: 2/2-5822

Poker Party²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: D Robinson⁽²⁾| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 116| D

33/1

Seemingly held from his current handicap mark following early season victories at Clonmel (2m3f+) and Tramore (2m5f). Drying ground isn't guaranteed to suit.

Form: 501170

Whatever Jacksays⁴⁸

Age: 13| Weight: 11-5| J: B Browne⁽²⁾| T: O McKiernan| OR: 116| C

50/1

Fairly useful novice hurdler back in the day, but returned from a five-year absence on New Years Eve 2017 and hasn't shown he's able to compete in three subsequent starts.

Form: 11/8987

Icantsay¹⁴³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: T N Brett⁽⁴⁾| T: J P Ryan| OR: 115| C

20/1

His previous Punchestown success came over fences in May 2017 (3m), but he did manage to score on his last start over hurdles from an 8lb lower mark at Navan (2m6f soft to heavy) in November.

Form: 16510P

Nobody Home^h²⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: C D Timmons| T: E Cawley| OR: 115| C

10/1

Reverted back to hurdles over the course of the past five weeks, and stayed on well to score by 1½L from Global Fert at Fairyhouse over the Easter period (2m4f soft/hvy). Every chance despite the 7lb higher mark.

Form: 266451

Killaro Boy^h²³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-3| J: P V O'Brien⁽²⁾| T: A Murray| OR: 114

6/1

Brought down early doors (fifth) in the Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse over Easter, but had previously enjoyed a most productive season over fences. Switches back to hurdles from an enticing looking handicap mark (114).

Form: 511-94B

Steel Wave^h²⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: John J Fitzpatrick⁽⁴⁾| T: W P Mullins| OR: 114| C

12/1

Has led an absence punctuated career, but seems well suited to racing at this track (5,1,2,5). Ran well on debut for this trainer over 3m here in November (soft/heavy) and solid enough since without appearing to be startlingly well handicapped.

Form: 631/257

Ben Brody^p⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: C Brassil⁽²⁾| T: S Byrne| OR: 112| C

16/1

His sole career hurdles success came over C&D in May 2017 (maiden), but he has posted a couple of respectable efforts in handicap company since, most notably over 3m at Limerick in December.

Form: 250635

Call Me Pj⁶²⁵

Age: 11| Weight: 11-1| J: C D Meehan⁽⁴⁾| T: O McKiernan| OR: 112| D

40/1

Not seen a racecourse since winning at Ballinrobe (2m5f good) in August 2016. Highly likely to need this race, so although feasibly handicapped couldn't be recommended.

Form: 877/381-

Doldido⁴⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: Mr L P Gilligan⁽⁴⁾| T: M Winters| OR: 112

25/1

Placed on each of his last two starts, but both of those races were over fences. Never raced over further than 2m4f over hurdles, and this lightly raced Oscar gelding boasts very little in the way of handicap experience.

Form: 3-1033

Lyreen Lad⁶⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: E O'Connell⁽⁴⁾| T: A J Martin| OR: 111

10/1

Not convinced in three starts over fences, but was a winner of a 3m Tipperary maiden (good) on his last start over hurdles 12 months ago. Handicap debut for a trainer who has been known to land the odd touch.

Form: 921-854

Terrible Beauty⁹⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: C A Landers⁽⁴⁾| T: J R Barry| OR: 110| D

33/1

First Reserve - Ready 5L winner of a 2m5f Tramore maiden hurdle in December (heavy), and far from disgraced in handicap company since. Potentially has something positive to contribute if getting a run.

Form: 1-9135

Non-Runners

Crossed My Mind⁹⁵

Weight: 11-10| Age: 6

T: A L T Moore J: D J McInerney

Percy Veer³⁵

Weight: 11-7| Age: 6

T: E McNamara J: R P Treacy

Sometimes A Fox⁹

Weight: 10-2| Age: 4

T: G Elliott J: Reserve 2

Hollow Tree¹²

Weight: 10-12| Age: 10

T: G Elliott J: Reserve 3

Forecasts

Killaro Boy (6/1), Nobody Home (10/1), Caro Des Flos (10/1), Allardyce (10/1), Sometimes A Fox (10/1), Lyreen Lad (10/1), Black Key (12/1), Steel Wave (12/1), Crossed My Mind (12/1), Man Of Plenty (14/1), Thirsty Work (16/1), Ben Brody (16/1), Fine Theatre (16/1), Smokey Joe Joe (16/1), Tourboy (16/1), Brave Out (20/1), Icantsay (20/1), Hey Little Boy (20/1), Water Sprite (20/1), Percy Veer (20/1), Prince Garyantle (25/1), Doldido (25/1), O Ceallaigh (25/1), Hollow Tree (25/1), Terrible Beauty (33/1), Poker Party (33/1), Call Me Pj (40/1), Whatever Jacksays (50/1)

A nigh impossible to solve opener with a maximum field of 25 runners seemingly guaranteed. Brave Out carries top-weight for John Kiely and he should find this longer trip more to his liking after being outpaced over 2m3f at Downpatrick. Nobody Home races from 7lb higher than when scoring at Fairyhouse over Easter, but he's enjoyed the switch back to hurdles, whilst 2017 sixth Crossed My Mind returns to action a fresh horse. Lyreen Lad lurks at the foot of the weights so market support could prove informative, but we'll stick with KILLARO BOY. He's improved rapidly over fences this season and reverts to hurdles from a very tempting 20lb lower mark.