18:05 Punchestown

Thursday 26 April 2018

All15:4016:1516:5017:3018:0518:4019:1519:45

Alanna Homes Handicap Hurdle (Grade B)

Off time: 18:08 | Winning time: 6m 6.9s

Minella Awards^t¹⁵²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: N D Fehily| T: H Fry| OR: 142| CD

12/1

Winner of this last year (from an 8lb lower mark) but came into that race off the back of a good win at Sandown the time before, and that's not the case this year. Not seen out since November and although probably kept fresh for this, bit to prove.

Form: 25/211-P

Glenloe⁴²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: B J Geraghty| T: G Elliott| OR: 141| BF

4/1

In good form, very consistent and probably unlucky to bump into one as well treated as he was at Cheltenham last time, going down in a driving finish. Only 4lb higher here and with no trip or ground issues, looks one of the main players.

Form: 15-2232

Last Goodbye^b,t⁴²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: A W Short⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss E Doyle| OR: 136

16/1

Form is a bit patchy, easy win at Leopardstown in February followed up by a much lesser effort at Cheltenham last time. This looks just as competitive and with stamina to fully prove, others make more appeal.

Form: 157-010

Burren Life^b1²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: G Elliott| OR: 133

28/1

Blinkers given a try after a poor effort at Fairyhouse last time, more rain the better his chances but in truth his progress seems to have stalled somewhat and the headgear needs to have a big effect.

Form: 12353P

Dadsintrouble⁴²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 132

33/1

Starting to look well treated on his third at Aintree last year now but since then it's been a bag of mixed efforts, even when conditions looked in his favour. Hard to be confident about after a moderate Cheltenham effort last time too.

Form: 3-F4U50

Dicey O'reilly^h1,t⁸²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: D Robinson⁽⁵⁾| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 132| D

16/1

Lightly raced 6-y-o that came good at Leopardstown last December, form that is working out okay, and given he won a point-to-point he should stay fine. Hood on here may help him settle better and he is one to be interested in here.

Form: 4F1-415

Jammin Masters¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Harry Bannister| T: W Greatrex| OR: 132| D

25/1

Looks a real galloper and this sort of trip should suit him fine, winner of his last two and looked promising in point-to-points as well so clearly has a future over fences. May lack the gears required here but shouldn't be disgraced.

Form: 22-2511

A Great View^p⁴²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: Mark Walsh| T: D Cullen| OR: 131| C

7/1

Highly tried in a few good quality handicaps this season and not disgraced on any of them, caught the eye when sixth to Delta Work at Cheltenham (nicely treated with Glenloe on that running) and quicker they go here the better.

Form: P-64256

Ah Littleluck^t¹²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: A E Lynch| T: T Gibney| OR: 131| D

16/1

Has found some form lately and followed up his easy Fairyhouse win with a good third in a competitive event at Aintree last time. Ground should be fine and if over that effort, then no reason not to go well once again.

Form: 650813

Gun Digger^b1³⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| OR: 130| BF

20/1

Unexposed and a decent winner of a novice hurdle at Down Royal in January, but no guarantees that he'll get this trip and blinkers now tried after a poor effort last time out. Bit to prove now and others preferred.

Form: 44312P

Screaming Rose²⁷⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Brian Hayes| T: W P Mullins| OR: 130| BF

25/1

Reverts to hurdles after twice being beaten favourite over fences, not seen out since last July but was third in this last year and has probably been kept fresh for it. Might not want much more rain but hard to totally discount.

Form: 2483-22

Folsom Blue^p,t²⁴

Age: 11| Weight: 10-12| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 128| C| D

8/1

Better known as along distance chaser, possibly unlucky not to take the Irish Grand National on latest start (caught up in final-fence melee) and nicely treated back over hurdles, but may not find this enough of a test.

Form: 8-14414

Kate Appleby Shoes^b³⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 10-12| J: Danny Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 128

33/1

Looked to have a future ahead of her when taking a Grade 3 novice hurdle at Limerick last year but it's all gone wrong for her since then. Reverting to hurdles may help her cause here but she can't be backed with any great confidence.

Form: 1P-14FP

Miles To Memphis^t²⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 10-12| J: M A Enright| T: Mrs D Foster| OR: 128

14/1

Tries hard and often runs well in big-field handicaps, as he did when second to Ah Littleluck at Fairyhouse last time. Nudged up a couple of pounds for that but unexposed at the trip and could have a little more to offer.

Form: 432652

Polar Present^p⁸¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: Donagh Meyler| T: S Fahey| OR: 128| D

33/1

The promise of last summer/autumn seems to have drained away a little after some moderate efforts on her last couple of starts, although step back up in trip will undoubtedly help. All the same, bit to prove now.

Form: 122350

De Name Escapes Me^t⁸²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-11| J: Sean Flanagan| T: N Meade| OR: 127

33/1

Well treated off this mark if you're willing to go back far enough, but recent efforts suggest he's rather out of love with things at the moment and he's best watched until showing signs of a resurgence.

Form: P-7340P

Ainsi Va La Vie⁸⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-10| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 126

7/1

Won a Listed bumper at Gowran last year and easy winner of a minor maiden hurdle at Thurles in November but has seemingly had her limitations exposed already after a couple of moderate efforts subsequently. Needs to get back on track.

Form: 113146

Didero Vallis²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-10| J: D J Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 127

20/1

Unexposed and should have more to offer, but a bit disappointing at only effort at this trip when midfield at Leopardstown in December. Too soon to write off but does need to improve. Not impossible, but others make more appeal.

Form: 3-12023

Monotype^t³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-10| J: B J Cooper| T: P Nolan| OR: 126

33/1

Been running well at a slightly lower level that this, twice a winner this season and still on a fair mark but this trip is a step into the unknown (too keen at only try at it) and on that, is passed over today.

Form: 861431

Orion D'Aubrelle⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-10| J: J J Burke| T: W P Mullins| OR: 127

40/1

Hard to read after three starts for the yard, hasn't shown a lot but this step up to 3m might suit on breeding. However, sent off 33/1 for a handicap last time, suggesting not much was expected, and others make more appeal.

Form: 515-50

Admiral Brian^h,t¹³

Age: 9| Weight: 10-9| J: E O'Connell⁽⁷⁾| T: E O'Connell| OR: 125| D

50/1

Stays this trip and his win over Tagliatelle in December at Clonmel reads well enough, but not really gone on from that and his form tends to come at a lower level than he tackles today. Some rain would help his cause, though.

Form: 156327

Moonshine Bay²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-9| J: R M Power| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 126| D

25/1

Two recent non-completions do little to inspire confidence (found to be coughing on one occasion) but had won well at Clonmel prior to those efforts. Questions to answer but not unfeasible he could bounce back.

Form: 1861PP

Art Of Security¹¹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-5| J: J M Moore| T: N Meade| OR: 121

25/1

Has won fresh, so absence not an issue, but was well beaten in this last year. On the plus side, is 6lb lower and any rain would help his cause, so not totally discounted off a light weight. Will stay.

Form: 470-705

Stoneford²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-5| J: D J McInerney⁽⁵⁾| T: N Meade| OR: 121| D

16/1

Falls into the "could-be-anything" bracket after a comfortable win in a 3m Cork maiden hurdle last time out. That's only moderate form, but the handicapper has been relatively sensible and there's every chance of progression today. Interesting.

Form: 1/8321

The Kings Baby¹³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-3| J: Mr S F O'Keeffe⁽⁷⁾| T: M McCabe| OR: 119| D

66/1

Twice a winner in the autumn but has found life a lot harder since then, and she was well beaten at Navan last time. Others readily preferred.

Form: 5-21140

Non-Runners

Cassells Rock²⁰

Weight: 10-7| Age: 8

T: A J Martin J: P E Corbett

Rooster Byron¹⁴

Weight: 10-4| Age: 7

T: P Nolan J: Reserve 1

Hey Little Boy¹

Weight: 10-1| Age: 5

T: W P Mullins J: Reserve 3

Forecasts

Glenloe (4/1), A Great View (7/1), Ainsi Va La Vie (7/1), Folsom Blue (8/1), Rooster Byron (10/1), Minella Awards (12/1), Miles To Memphis (14/1), Last Goodbye (16/1), Ah Littleluck (16/1), Stoneford (16/1), Dicey O'reilly (16/1), Gun Digger (20/1), Didero Vallis (20/1), Moonshine Bay (25/1), Art Of Security (25/1), Jammin Masters (25/1), Screaming Rose (25/1), Burren Life (28/1), De Name Escapes Me (33/1), Polar Present (33/1), Monotype (33/1), Dadsintrouble (33/1), Kate Appleby Shoes (33/1), Hey Little Boy (33/1), Cassells Rock (33/1), Orion D'Aubrelle (40/1), Admiral Brian (50/1), The Kings Baby (66/1)

GLENLOE had his Cheltenham form given a boost by the excellent run of Delta Work yesterday and he deserves to win a big prize after some good efforts. He can once again have the measure of A Great View, who wasn't far behind him there and can prove the main danger today. Stoneford is lightly raced and may improve plenty here, and he should be considered for the places along with Miles To Memphis , Ah Littleluck and Dicey O'Reilly.