19:10 Punchestown

Friday 27 April 2018

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

SalesSense International Novice Hurdle

Off time: 19:13 | Winning time: 4m 5.3s

Another Barney³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: P D Kennedy⁽³⁾| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 124| D

25/1

Impressed when winning a maiden hurdle at Naas (2m, soft to heavy) on debut for this yard in January. Hasn't jumped well enough in Listed company (including here) in two further runs but should find this task easier. Yard continues to run cold.

Form: 41155

Antey³⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Ms K Walsh| T: W P Mullins| OR: 125

9/1

Maiden hurdle scorer at Cork last month (2m4f, soft to heavy), equally at home over the minimum trip and no surprise to see him go well here with Fehily booked.

Form: 3621

Causey Arch²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: D J Mullins| T: W P Mullins| D

10/1

Dual Flat winner for Michael Dods, made winning start for top yard in Clonmel maiden (2m, heavy) last month, having plenty in hand despite late jumping error. Likely has more to offer.

Form: 1

Cook Islands^t²⁴⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Mark Walsh| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 125| C

25/1

Maiden hurdle winner here in May last year (2m1f, good), fair efforts in three further starts over longer trips without a win, off since August and being pitched back in at the deep end in this competitive event. Watch betting.

Form: 133B

Damalisque²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: J S McGarvey| T: E P Harty

50/1

Impressive winner of a 2m2f soft-ground Listed contest at Auteuil in September before joining this trainer, unfancied when tailed off in Fairyhouse Grade 2 on stable bow, could be more to come with sights lowered and run behind him.

Form: 114418

Deal D'estruval⁴²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 134

11/4

Just denied in valuable Leopardstown handicap hurdle (2m, soft) in February on second start, having won a Tramore maiden (2m5f) on New Year's Day. Well beaten in the Martin Pipe at Cheltenham but type to bounce back in this field.

Form: 432-120

Or Jaune De Somoza²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Sean Flanagan| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 121| D

33/1

Maiden hurdle winner at Thurles in February on third start over timber, respectable showing this month in hot Fairyhouse Grade 2 (2m, heavy). Can build on that effort now.

Form: 2-45315

Riders Onthe Storm²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: A E Lynch| T: T J Taaffe| OR: 132| D

12/1

Navan novice hurdle winner on heavy ground over 2m in January, then finished second in a Listed contest over C&D next time out. No joy in Fairyhouse Grade 2 over 2m4f last time, suited back down in distance and eased in grade.

Form: 5-52126

Roaring Bull^p³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| OR: 134| CD

10/1

Wasn't going to win when falling in a Grade 3 won by subsequent Cheltenham Festival scorer Blow By Blow at Thurles in February but had run well to that point. Didn't justify market support in Listed contest at Navan since, but potentially better.

Form: 1-133F6

Shady Operator¹⁵³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: B J Geraghty| T: J P O'Brien| D

4/1

Cork maiden hurdle (2m, soft) in November under this rider and not disgraced same month when 4L behind Sharjah at Gowran Park in 2m novice contest on heavy. Off since, could have plenty more to come and choice of Geraghty here.

Form: 1-212

Vengeful¹⁹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| D

14/1

Rock-solid form in France and purchased for Gigginstown Stud in 2016. Won a 2m maiden at Thurles on sole outing in these colours and likely primed for this on return with yard in desperate need of prizemoney.

Form: 1

Whisperinthebreeze²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: R M Power| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 122| D

8/1

Justified favouritism to land 2m maiden hurdle at Naas in February on soft going and not disgraced in Fairyhouse handicap this month behind Western Ruler. Interesting contender, may relish better ground but Harrington team are struggling this week.

Form: 17314

Anywayyoulookatit

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: L P Dempsey| T: J P O'Brien

50/1

Unraced Presenting gelding, one of three for trainer Joseph O'Brien in this line-up and merits a look in the betting.

Form:

At Your Ease⁶¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Donagh Meyler| T: A L T Moore

66/1

Scorpion gelding, made a promising debut beaten 10L finishing sixth of 24 in a Leopardstown maiden hurdle in December. Didn't build on that what midfield at Naas in February behind Whisperinthebreeze. Work to be done.

Form: 67

The Holy One⁶⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: D J McInerney⁽⁵⁾| T: Mrs J Harrington

16/1

Not without promise in maiden hurdles at Naas and Navan earlier in the year, should improve and bumper form behind Blackbow at Leopardstown was useful on yielding ground.

Form: 1-2235

Kuraka⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 11-2| J: D F O'Regan| T: G Elliott| OR: 119| D

16/1

Maiden on the Flat for Karl Burke, opened account in this sphere at fourth time of asking this month in Limerick maiden hurdle (2m, soft). Needs to step up again here.

Form: 2331

Phoenix Dawn^b,t³⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 11-2| J: Brendan Powell| T: B G Powell| OR: 122| D

50/1

British raider, strong winner of 2m Ludlow good-ground maiden in November. Not disgraced in Newbury handicap (2m3f, soft) last month and suited down in trip. Could take aim at place money.

Form: 621273

Non-Runners

Slaney Street¹²¹

Weight: 10-9| Age: 4

T: F J Flood J: Danny Mullins

Forecasts

Deal D'estruval (11/4), Shady Operator (4/1), Whisperinthebreeze (8/1), Antey (9/1), Causey Arch (10/1), Roaring Bull (10/1), Riders Onthe Storm (12/1), Vengeful (14/1), The Holy One (16/1), Kuraka (16/1), Another Barney (25/1), Cook Islands (25/1), Slaney Street (25/1), Or Jaune De Somoza (33/1), Phoenix Dawn (50/1), Damalisque (50/1), Anywayyoulookatit (50/1), At Your Ease (66/1)

Deal D'Estruval should have decent claims for last year's winning trainer in his bid to retain the trainers' title. He was disappointing at Cheltenham last month but trips in trip and his prior run makes a likely contender now. Stablemates Causey Arch and Antey shouldn't be overlooked. A chance can be taken with Cork winner SHADY OPERATOR in the McManus hoops. He ran well behind Sharjah when last out and, given Barry Geraghty had options here, it's worth noting this was his preference. Damalisque, Riders Onthe Storm and Roaring Bull are others of note.