18:05 Punchestown

Friday 27 April 2018

All15:4016:2016:5517:3018:0518:4019:1019:45

Profile Systems Champion Novice Hurdle (Grade 1)

Off time: 18:05 | Winning time: 5m 9.8s

Burrows Saint^t⁴²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: R M Power| T: W P Mullins| OR: 133| CD

33/1

Former French racer (G.Macaire) who lacks any form of experience in such a deep race, with his C&D success (November 2017) coming at maiden level. Well beaten at Cheltenham last month (by Blow By Blow), and holds little chance today.

Form: 742-120

Debuchet⁴⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Danny Mullins| T: Ms M Mullins| OR: 140

8/1

Runner up to the ill-fated Fayonagh in the 2017 Cheltenham Champion Bumper, but remains a maiden after three starts over timber. Finished ninth of 19 in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle last month and now tries this 2m4f trip for the first time.

Form: 121-469

Dortmund Park^t⁴²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 139| D

16/1

Bolted up in a 2m6f Thurles novice hurdle (heavy) in late January, beating Burrows Saint by 16L. However, has come up a little short in Grade 1 company since, including in the 3m Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham last month. Drops in trip.

Form: 161148

Duc Des Genievres²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Mark Walsh| T: W P Mullins| OR: 146| BF

7/1

Still without a victory for this trainer in four starts and a shade disappointing over Easter at Fairyhouse (2m4f). However, previous form-lines with the likes of Samcro and Next Destination (Ballymore) all read very well, so could be competitive.

Form: 13255

Getabird³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Mr P W Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 152| BF| CD

11/4

Flawless throughout the bulk of his brief racing career, but has failed to deliver the goods on his two toughest assignments yet; the Supreme Novices' Hurdle and when struck into here on Tuesday behind Draconien. Raced mainly over 2m.

Form: 1-11017

Pallasator²⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| OR: 147| C| D

11/4

Classy on the Flat (Doncaster Cup winner), and quickly going the right way over hurdles after a slow start. Has won both of his last two races (2m4f soft), including at Fairyhouse over Easter, when accounting for a couple of today's rivals.

Form: 5411

Real Steel²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: B J Geraghty| T: W P Mullins| OR: 141

25/1

Has appeared exposed in Grade 1 company since suffering a tired fall at Leopardstown over Christmas (2m soft), and not tasted success since a Thurles maiden in November (2m soft). Plenty to find with the likes of Pallasator, Duc Des Genievres etc.

Form: 2-1F50P

Scarpeta²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 147

11/2

Readily disposed of Cartwright (by 17L) when breaking the maiden tag at Gowran Park in January (2m heavy), and solid since in better races. Ran a blinder in the Ballymore (8L fourth to Samcro), but held by Pallasator on recent Fairyhouse evidence.

Form: 3143

Whiskey Sour³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: D J Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 143

11/2

Finished fourth, immediately in front of Cartwright when behind Draconien here on Tuesday (2m), and has run consistently well over hurdles so far, including at the Cheltenham Festival (County Hurdle). New trip to contend with in Grade 1 company.

Form: 11434

Non-Runners

Blow By Blow²

Weight: 11-10| Age: 7

T: G Elliott J: Rachael Blackmore

Cartwright³

Weight: 11-10| Age: 5

T: G Elliott J: Mark Walsh

Delta Work²

Weight: 11-10| Age: 5

T: G Elliott J: Sean Flanagan

Forecasts

Pallasator (11/4), Getabird (11/4), Whiskey Sour (11/2), Scarpeta (11/2), Duc Des Genievres (7/1), Debuchet (8/1), Dortmund Park (16/1), Delta Work (16/1), Blow By Blow (16/1), Real Steel (25/1), Cartwright (25/1), Burrows Saint (33/1)

If ever there was a race which best sums up the theme for the week, it is this Grade 1 Novice Hurdle, with Willie Mullins (6) and Gordon Elliott (5) responsible for all bar one of the 12 runners. We've seen a few of these horses already this week including the hardy Delta Work and the disappointing duo Blow By Blow and Getabird. Scarpeta is the pick of Paul Townend, and it's easy to see why on the strength of his fine Ballymore effort, but he had no excuses when readily beaten by the fast improving PALLASATOR at Fairyhouse over Easter. He has that touch of class from the Flat and stays well, so is taken with confidence to land the spoils under Davy Russell.