12:55 Punchestown

Wednesday 28 November 2018

All12:2512:5513:2513:5514:3015:0015:35

I.N.H. Stallion Owners EBF Maiden Hurdle

Off time: 12:56 | Winning time: 5m 32.5s

First Class Return^t1¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: B J Cooper| T: M F Morris| OR: 102

33/1

Yet to make the frame in four similar contests finishing sixth of 13 beaten 32L at Naas most recently. Goes up in trip needing plenty of improvement to make the frame.

Form: 50-66

Gallant John Joe¹⁸³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: B Browne⁽⁵⁾| T: O McKiernan| BF

10/1

Showed 50/1 fourth of 25 here to be no fluke when finishing a good second at Ballinrobe over 2m4f back in May when last seen. Further step up in trip no issue and if ready after a break he should run a solid race.

Form: 4/576-42

Grotesque³²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| OR: 116| BF

4/1

Point-to-point and bumper winner finished third in last two maiden hurdles for Mouse Morris last winter. Joins yard well capable of improving new recruits and steps up markedly in trip which on pedigree should suit. Leading contender.

Form: 2160/33-

Mount Pelier³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Donagh Meyler| T: A Fleming

9/4

Off the mark at the fifth time of asking in bumpers when he scored at Wexford last month beating a horse who won easily next time out. First start over hurdles requires more but longer trip may well be in his favour.

Form: 5224-1

Shanroe Al C⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Robbie Colgan| T: K Thornton

66/1

Placed in three point-to-points before winning at Largy in May. Made rules debut last week at Galway where he finished a disappointing 18th of 19. Longer trip should suit but leap of faith now required.

Form: 3331-0

Sweet Flight⁵¹

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

9/2

Wexford bumper winner on debut finished second at Tramore in August before disappointing next time at Tipperary as he could only manage sixth of 17. Now goes up in trip needing to improve but given connections it's too soon to write him off.

Form: 126

The Dabbler²⁰²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: D F O'Regan| T: M Phelan

50/1

Point-to-point winner was beaten 35L and 27L in two bumpers back in the Spring. Longer trip and obstacles should see him in a better light now but good bit more needed.

Form: 15-8

The Gunner Murphy^t²⁴⁰

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

10/3

Galway winner on debut finished second next at Leopardstown before pulling up on hurdles debut behind top-class Getabird in a Fairyhouse Grade Two. This more realistic for one so inexperienced and has to be considered.

Form: 12P-

The Shunter¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Sean O'Keeffe⁽⁷⁾| T: J O Clifford

16/1

Three-times placed in six bumper races despite meeting several high class performers. Fair fourth here beaten 8¼L on hurdles bow over 2m and now goes up dramatically in trip. Not ruled out but others appeal more.

Form: 3S373-4

Portnablagh²²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Keith Donoghue| T: G Elliott

25/1

Point-to-point winner scored on rules bow at Cork before finding a step up in class to Listed level tougher as she could only manage 10th of 11 at Fairyhouse. Has potential but tough ask on season/hurdle debut.

Form: 110-

Wild Rumour³⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: P J O'Hanlon⁽⁷⁾| T: L Fowler

66/1

Slight improvement latest to finish third in a Cork bumper albeit she was never really in contention and beaten 16½L. Longer trip will suit but not showed enough to recommend her,

Form: P-03

Non-Runners

Hotel Du Nord¹⁹⁸

Weight: 11-12| Age: 5

T: Mrs J Harrington J: R M Power

School Boy Hours¹⁸

Weight: 11-12| Age: 5

T: N Meade J: Mark Walsh

Forecasts

Mount Pelier (9/4), School Boy Hours (5/2), The Gunner Murphy (10/3), Grotesque (4/1), Sweet Flight (9/2), Gallant John Joe (10/1), Hotel Du Nord (14/1), The Shunter (16/1), Portnablagh (25/1), First Class Return (33/1), The Dabbler (50/1), Wild Rumour (66/1), Shanroe Al C (66/1)

SCHOOL BOY HOURS stayed on really well on return to finish second and an extra 3f can only help so he has rock solid credentials and is worth siding with here. The main danger looks to be Grotesque who has fair form already but now goes up 6f in trip on his debut for Gordon Elliott so there are reasons to think he can improve further. The Gunner Murphy may well be JP McManus' second string but such types have won many races in the past and Joseph O'Brien's charge is another worthy of consideration here.