16:20 Punchestown

Wednesday 25 April 2018

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

Louis Fitzgerald Hotel Hurdle

Off time: 16:21 | Winning time: 5m 13.10s

Arcenfete⁶⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: D Robinson⁽⁵⁾| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 132

50/1

Flat and hurdles winner in France (2015/16), but has failed to beat a single rival in two starts over timber in Grade 3 contests in Ireland. Upped in trip beyond 2m for the first time.

Form: 1-76

Kaiser Black^t³²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Phillip Enright| T: P M J Doyle| OR: 122| D

33/1

His last start over hurdles in March 2017 was a winning one (2m4f, Cork), but that was only in maiden company and leaves him with plenty to find on these terms. Raced only over fences so far this season.

Form: 6421-43

Le Martalin^h,t⁷⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Sean Flanagan| T: N Meade| OR: 132| BF

12/1

His hurdles form tailed off somewhat after an encouraging start (2m maiden winner at Galway in October 2016), and he's been campaigned solely over fences this term. In reasonable enough shape, but stamina reserves largely untested.

Form: 6P-2U33

Not Many Left⁶²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: R M Power| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 132| BF| D

7/1

Beat Mortal by 10L on his second start over hurdles at Navan in January (2m4f maiden heavy), but was a beaten favourite on his next start at Thurles; albeit by a horse who went onto take the Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Form: 1-43513

Poli Roi^b1,t⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| OR: 135

7/1

Failed to really build upon his short odds early season Down Royal maiden success (2m6f soft), and clearly has quirks which match his ability. Possibly didn't stay 3m latest, and now sports the first time blinkers.

Form: 3-215P8

Sire Du Berlais^t⁴⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: B J Geraghty| T: G Elliott| OR: 142

7/4

Done nothing wrong since joining current connections from France, showing no fear of competitive handicaps despite his tender years. Top rated (142) and his 7½L fourth to Blow By Blow (Martin Pipe) at the Cheltenham Festival sets the benchmark.

Form: 3130-24

Good Thyne Tara¹⁵⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: D J Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 133

6/1

Solid performer in bumpers (2 from 5), and an easy winner on hurdles debut in February 2017 (2m+ Clonmel maiden). Very quiet overall this season since clashing with Samcro at Navan in November, so hard to know exactly what to expect.

Form: 2143-25

Pravalaguna^h⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 138| D

11/4

Her recent form figures aren't overly eye-catching, but her 5L second to stablemate Asthuria (Good Thyne Tara third) in a 2m mares novice hurdle at the 2017 Punchestown festival rates as solid form. Better latest, and seemingly ground versatile.

Form: 2-3F4P4

Rock De Baune³³

Age: 4| Weight: 11-1| J: Mark Walsh| T: J E Kiely

33/1

Saddex gelding who stayed on gamely to take a 2m1f (v.soft) three-year-old Conditions Hurdle at Auteuil in October 2017 before moving onto pastures new. No show on Irish debut last month and Barry Geraghty understandably prefers Sire De Berlais.

Form: 317

Forecasts

Sire Du Berlais (7/4), Pravalaguna (11/4), Good Thyne Tara (6/1), Not Many Left (7/1), Poli Roi (7/1), Le Martalin (12/1), Kaiser Black (33/1), Rock De Baune (33/1), Arcenfete (50/1)

A race which with the exception of the Jessica Harrington trained Not Many Left appears to be within the grasp of Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott. The former is represented by a pair of mares (Pravalaguna and Good Thyne Tara) who both receive a handy 7lb weight allowance. Previous 2m Punchestown form suggests Pravalaguna should have the edge, with retained rider Paul Townend sharing that opinion. SIRE DU BERLAIS is the pick of the Elliott trained pair, with the quirky Poli Roi sporting first time blinkers. Barry Geraghty elects to ride the selection in preference to Rock De Baune, with his Martin Pipe fourth to Blow By Blow setting the benchmark.