19:45 Punchestown

Thursday 26 April 2018

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

Kildare Post (C & G) Flat Race

Off time: 19:45 | Winning time: 3m 59.7s

Derby²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr D O'Connor| T: W P Mullins

14/1

Easy winner at Gowran on debut but well beaten at Fairyhouse on latest start, seemingly with little excuse. Needs to find that earlier form but even then, may require more.

Form: 3-3116

Dunvegan⁴⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr C Fahy⁽⁷⁾| T: P A Fahy| D

4/1

Good form in bumpers and did absolutely nothing wrong when bumping into the classy Pallasator over hurdles at Leopardstown last time. Looks one of the leading players, with any more rain a plus.

Form: 22162

Getareason³²

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr P W Mullins| T: W P Mullins

7/4

Expensive enough purchase that won on debut at Downpatrick, but that was only a minor event and more will be required here. However, may well be capable of just that, as he looked a bit green there, so not discounted.

Form: 2-1

Mountain Ranger²⁰⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Sean P Byrne⁽⁷⁾| T: S Byrne

66/1

Bumper winner at Kilbeggan last summer but overall form is lacking what's needed to take this, and he looks outclassed.

Form: 0-7315

Rio Vivas³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Ms K Walsh| T: W P Mullins| D

5/2

Beaten at odds-on on debut but left that well behind when winning with any amount in hand at Navan, quickening well. From a good family and will progress further. Has to be on anyone's shortlist for this.

Form: 32-31

Sometime Soon²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: Ms L O'Neill⁽³⁾| T: G Elliott| D

8/1

Good winner on debut at Fairyhouse in February but took a step backwards there latest, possibly finding the testing conditions too much. Ought to do better here and as the only Gordon Elliott runner, demands respect.

Form: 114

Squadron Commander²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: R Deegan⁽⁵⁾| T: W P Mullins| D

25/1

Won a minor bumper at Cork on debut but well beaten at Fairyhouse latest. In good hands but needs plenty more now.

Form: 17

Voix Des Tiep²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr M J O'Hare⁽⁵⁾| T: W P Mullins| D

9/1

Very disappointing at Fairyhouse last time but had looked progressive before that, winning on the bridle at Thurles previously. Brings solid form to the table and if bouncing back, would be a big player.

Form: 2-3315

Gallant John Joe^h1⁶⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Mr A J Fox⁽⁷⁾| T: O McKiernan

33/1

Showed plenty of promise when a close fourth to the useful Vision Des Flos on his debut here last year but hasn't gone on from that and now tries a hood. May need good ground to show his best.

Form: 4-57

Non-Runners

Castlebawn West²⁸

Weight: 12-0| Age: 5

T: W P Mullins J: Mr W J Gleeson

Duc D'Allier¹⁶⁵

Weight: 11-7| Age: 5

T: H De Bromhead J: Mr D Roche

Forecasts

Getareason (7/4), Rio Vivas (5/2), Dunvegan (4/1), Sometime Soon (8/1), Castlebawn West (8/1), Voix Des Tiep (9/1), Derby (14/1), Squadron Commander (25/1), Duc D'Allier (25/1), Gallant John Joe (33/1), Mountain Ranger (66/1)

Willie Mullins has a strong hand in this, with Getareason and RIO VIVAS both likely to figure among those at the front of the market and preference is for the latter who impressed with his attitude at Navan. Getareason is likely to improve as well but may find his stablemate just that bit more knowing at this stage. Dunvegan may be best of the rest, although Castlebawn West gives Willie a chance of sweeping the board here.