12:35 Punchestown

Sunday 18 November 2018

All12:0512:3513:0513:4014:1514:5015:2015:55

Irish Daily Mirror Handicap Hurdle (0-140)

Off time: 12:37 | Winning time: 4m 0.2s

Makitorix^t¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: Ruby Walsh| T: W P Mullins| OR: 130| D

8/1

Over a year since maiden hurdle win at Listowel, has been asked tough questions over timber and on the Flat since. Well beaten in November Handicap at Naas recently, should be better suited in this field back jumping.

Form: P4645-0

Hearts Are Trumps²²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Mark Walsh| T: D McDonogh| OR: 128| BF| D

4/1

Out of the frame only once in last five starts in handicap hurdles, winning twice since May. Career-high mark to defy now but certainly not ruled out.

Form: 0-14212

Jetez¹⁵⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Sean O'Keeffe⁽⁷⁾| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 128| D

12/1

Limerick maiden hurdle winner (2m, good) in May, lights went out rapidly at Roscommon in June over 2m4f and off since. Makes handicap debut and one to monitor in betting.

Form: 32P4-15

Stooshie¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| OR: 128| D

7/1

Three rock-solid efforts in handicaps hurdles of late, previous two off this mark. Should run well again for in-form trainer and champion jockey. Place claims.

Form: 513-323

The Holy One¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: R M Power| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 123

10/3

Yet to win in five starts over timber but some solid efforts in maidens and beaten 1L over 2m here in a novice event. Handicap debut and liable to go well.

Form: 2353-34

Mastermind⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 11-1| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: C O'Brien| OR: 125| D

8/1

Sound run behind Espoir D'allen in Grade 3 novice at Naas last weekend, rates an interesting contender in this field with Rachel Blackmore booked.

Form: 63120-3

Tandem²²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: M J Bolger| T: D K Weld| OR: 121| D

16/1

Navan maiden hurdle winner all the way back in 2014, run in some decent contests during seven-race career over timber and maintained smart profile on the Flat. Would still rank as a surprise should he land this, despite being race-fit.

Form: 15344/0-

Dakota Moirette³⁴³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-13| J: Liam McKenna⁽⁷⁾| T: G Elliott| OR: 120| CD

25/1

Failed to build on maiden win over C&D in December 2016 and now back from 343-day absence. Poor over fences around here when last spotted. Trainer capable of turning fortunes around and 7lb claim helps.

Form: 700/337-

Eoline Jolie¹⁷⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 10-11| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 121| BF

12/1

Filly didn't achieve a lot in three spring starts for champion trainer after arriving from France. Clearly too soon to start writing her off, though need to see some positives before supporting

Form: 168-4

Like An Open Book⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 10-9| J: M P Burke⁽⁵⁾| T: J M Burke| OR: 116| D

6/1

Two-time hurdles winner, chased home facile winner at Navan (2m, good) last week and no reason not to go well again having gone up the minimum for that effort.

Form: 6-74542

Schmidt¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: Robbie Colgan| T: S R B Crawford| OR: 116| D

33/1

100/1 and duly tailed off in Grade 2 WKD Hurdle at Down Royal this month on first start for new trainer. Fitter now and this represents a more realistic assignment.

Form: 312944

Forecasts

The Holy One (10/3), Hearts Are Trumps (4/1), Like An Open Book (6/1), Stooshie (7/1), Makitorix (8/1), Mastermind (8/1), Jetez (12/1), Eoline Jolie (12/1), Tandem (16/1), Dakota Moirette (25/1), Schmidt (33/1)

It might pay to forgive JETEZ a disappointing effort at Roscommon in June. The form of his previous Limerick maiden hurdle win has worked out, with multiple winners behind, including the runner-up – who is now rated 137 after relocating to Britain. There could be plenty mileage in Jessica Harrington's charge who gets a valuable 7lb claim to assist. Stablemate The Holy One isn't without appeal on handicap debut. Makitorix and Eoline Jolie represent the champion trainer, with preference for the first-named. In-form pair Hearts Are Trumps and Stooshie should go well while Mastermind has potential after a good run behind Espoir D'allen last week.