19:15 Punchestown

Thursday 26 April 2018

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

Close Brothers Mares Novice Hurdle (Listed)

Off time: 19:15 | Winning time: 4m 2.8s

Dawn Shadow²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: Mrs D A Love| OR: 127| D

10/1

Will appreciate this easier task after her respectable fourth in a Grade 1 at Fairyhouse last time, and earlier effort when falling at Cheltenham (making ground at the time) marks her out as one of the likelier ones here.

Form: 1333F4

Like An Open Book¹⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: M P Burke| T: J M Burke| OR: 115| D

66/1

Warmed up for this with a run on the Flat at Dundalk earlier in the month, twice a hurdles winner on decent ground earlier in the season so may not want much more rain, but even so, that form needs improving on.

Form: 451317

Creation⁸¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Mark Walsh| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 124| D

25/1

Came back to a bit of form on her latest start when sixth in a good quality Mares handicap at Leopardstown. Will need a good pace at this trip as ideally a bit further would suit, but likely ground fine and she could go well.

Form: 2-128P6

Cut The Mustard²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 125| C

9/2

Twice beaten at short prices, so not one to trust, but she will at least find this easier than some of the tasks she's been taking on. Went off too quickly for her own good at Cheltenham and if settling better here, holds chances.

Form: 1-8516P

Ellie Mac⁴²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: D P Holden| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 117| D

33/1

Winner at Leopardstown in December but well beaten in two better races since then, and looks held by a few of these on form. Needs more.

Form: 3-P7100

Glens Harmony¹⁸²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: D J Mullins| T: W P Mullins| D

7/2

Looks to be improving quickly and took a Thurles maiden hurdle last time with any amount in hand. Not seen out since October but if freshened up by a break, has every chance of further improvement and looks one to be interested in.

Form: 312-21

Minnies Secret^p³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Phillip Enright| T: C Byrnes| D

25/1

Twice a winner in the winter and on form, holds a similar chance to Glens Harmony on a line through the runner up but hasn't progressed since then. Drop back to 2m may help her cause but others may be improving quicker.

Form: 211555

Moonlight Escape⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| OR: 118| BF| D

25/1

Still had a bit to do when falling (in a chase) at Limerick last time and was a lucky winner at Cork the time before (leader fell when clear). Has probably found her level already and she needs improvement today.

Form: 22241U

Moyhenna⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: D G Hogan| T: D Hogan| OR: 130| CD

7/1

Good second to Lackaneen Leader in a Grade 3 at Limerick in March and has run to that level in a quality handicap since. Drop back in trip a slight concern but seems able to operate at it and she has to be taken seriously.

Form: 341124

Redhotfillypeppers²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Danny Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 124| C

6/1

Hard to tell where she would have finished had she not fallen at Fairyhouse (in a stronger race) last time, as she was still going strongly. Had looked useful when easily winning a maiden hurdle here previously so has to be considered.

Form: 4-3341F

Shimmer's Rock³⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: A W Short| T: P E Collins| OR: 123| D

16/1

Took her form forward a step when taking a Clonmel maiden hurdle on first start for new yard, the front two nicely clear. That looks a solid piece of form and with the promise of more to come, and conditions fine, is interesting.

Form: 20-3U61

The Birdie Crowe^p,t⁸⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: R M Power| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 112| CD

25/1

No problem with the conditions but her form in novice and handicap hurdles is well below what's required here, and others make more appeal.

Form: 742748

Alighting³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Sean Flanagan| T: J P O'Brien

20/1

Below form at Limerick last time but her previous third in a Listed event here (over half a mile further) reads well enough. This trip is a bare minimum but with no issue with the ground, has chances if bouncing back.

Form: 4-0336

Awayinthewest³⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: B J Geraghty| T: P A Fahy| OR: 123| BF| D

9/1

Runner up on all of her last three starts and her latest effort ties her in closely with Shimmer's Rock, but may not be as progressive as she is. Nevertheless, has form that gives her place chances at worst and isn't out of it.

Form: 265-222

Eoline Jolie⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-11| J: N D Fehily| T: W P Mullins

9/1

Winner at Auteuil in October but no immediate promise on her debut for the yard at Faryhouse, although will find this a bit easier. Unexposed so hard to rule out, but does need to find plenty more.

Form: 16

Duke's Girl^h⁴⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 10-4| J: M A Enright| T: J Nash

100/1

Moderate on the Flat in England and no promise on first start for the yard at Gowran Park. Looks outclassed and no realistic chance here.

Form: 4

Non-Runners

Countess Cathleen³⁶

Weight: 11-4| Age: 7

T: D Hickey J: J M Moore

Forecasts

Glens Harmony (7/2), Cut The Mustard (9/2), Redhotfillypeppers (6/1), Moyhenna (7/1), Awayinthewest (9/1), Eoline Jolie (9/1), Dawn Shadow (10/1), Shimmer's Rock (16/1), Alighting (20/1), Countess Cathleen (20/1), Creation (25/1), Moonlight Escape (25/1), Minnies Secret (25/1), The Birdie Crowe (25/1), Ellie Mac (33/1), Like An Open Book (66/1), Duke's Girl (100/1)

MOYHENNA has a solid body of form to her name and deserves to pick up another good prize. This drop back to the minimum trip may not be ideal, but it should be run at a decent pace and that will suit her. She can come out on top. Shimmer's Rock has a bit to find on form but was quietly impressive at Clonmel and with no worries over the trip or ground, could take a prize home. Willie Mullins has a strong hand, as ever in these events, with Redhotfillypeppers and Cut The Mustard looking like his best chances.