17:15 Punchestown

Tuesday 16 October 2018

All14:0514:3515:1015:4016:1016:4517:15

Black Hills Mares Flat Race

Off time: 17:15 | Winning time: 3m 45.1s

Grove Hill

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: Mr D G Lavery⁽³⁾| T: M Mulvany

14/1

Full-sister to bumper/2½m hurdle winner Just Before Dawn, but pedigree is essentially a fairly modest one, and others likely to be stronger on racecourse debut.

Form:

Royal Illusion

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Mr P W Mullins| T: W P Mullins

7/2

King's Theatre mare out of a winning hurdler. Bred for this discipline, and in the hands of a master of his profession, so likely to play a major role starting out.

Form:

Three Thirds¹³⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: Mr D T McGrath⁽⁷⁾| T: D J McGrath

20/1

Almost sprung a shock when third of 14 to Suinda in mares maiden bumper at Clonmel in May, but not in the same form at Tramore next time, and has a bit to prove now.

Form: 7/2-30

Vic's Little Miss¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: R Deegan⁽⁵⁾| T: P A Fahy

13/2

Thoroughly exposed after eight starts in this sphere, finishing second twice at Clonmel. Place claims with her best form, but vulnerable to anything with a bit of scope.

Form: 265427

Wait For No One²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: Mr D O'Connor| T: David Fenton

5/2

Beneficial mare who improved on promise of debut when 1¼L second of 8 to Best of Dubai in mares maiden event at Galway last time. Sets the standard on that effort, and one of the likelier ones on paper.

Form: 73-152

Ghurba^t1

Age: 4| Weight: 11-5| J: Mr M J O'Hare⁽³⁾| T: N Meade

5/1

Aqlaam half-sister to French 1m winner Lahqaout of a French 1m3f/1½m winner. Yard has a decent strike-rate in bumpers, and this filly makes more appeal than most on pedigree.

Form:

Miss Aloud^h¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 11-5| J: Mr J J Codd| T: G Elliott

4/1

Best effort when runner-up at Kelso last month, but hasn't been able to build on that, albeit not discredited, in two starts since. Remains vulnerable for all she should give her running.

Form: 6223

Wonderful Woman³⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-5| J: Mr H D Dunne⁽⁵⁾| T: P J Rothwell

100/1

Tailed off last on racecourse debut at Kilbeggan last month, and hard to see her getting involved after that showing.

Form: 0

Forecasts

Wait For No One (5/2), Royal Illusion (7/2), Miss Aloud (4/1), Ghurba (5/1), Vic's Little Miss (13/2), Grove Hill (14/1), Three Thirds (20/1), Wonderful Woman (100/1)

ROYAL ILLUSION is bred to make an impact in bumpers being a daughter of King's Theatre, and she can make a winning debut for Willie Mullins at the expense of Wait For No One, who has looked a nice prospect in two starts to date. Ghurba is an interesting newcomer from the Noel Meade yard, and has a decent middle-distance pedigree. She needs a second look in the market.