14:20 Punchestown

Sunday 13 January 2019

All12:4013:1513:4514:2014:5015:2015:50

Punchestown Amateur National (Q.R.) Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:21 | Winning time: 7m 1.6s

Teacher's Pet^t¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Miss A B O'Connor⁽⁵⁾| T: J P Dempsey| OR: 128

10/1

Dual winner last season (2m4f and 2m5f) but eight races this term without success and two previous races over 3m plus both seen incompletions so stamina doubts obvious.

Form: PB4836

Whisperinthebreeze^p¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr F Maguire⁽³⁾| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 126

4/1

Novice yet to win over fences but has the misfortune of meeting several smart performers so far. Second to smart Gun Digger last time who he was no match for but suspect his mark here is realistic if staying this new trip.

Form: 9-24252

Aherlow²²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Mr M J O'Hare⁽³⁾| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 123

10/1

Lightly raced sort improved on chase debut to finish third latest where he could never quite recover from a bad blunder four out. Better possible with a clear run and obviously highly unexposed.

Form: 225-103

Undressed¹⁶

Age: 11| Weight: 11-5| J: Mr P W Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 119| BF

6/1

Useful sort for Michael Hourigan made a positive start for these connections when weakening into fourth over 3m5f on stable debut. Back in trip latest he was made an odds on favourite but jumping errors led to him pulling up. Not ruled out.

Form: 2259-4P

Amaulino^h1¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Mr F Stack⁽⁷⁾| T: R K Watson| OR: 116

28/1

Winner at Tipperary in May but failed to make the frame in five starts since. Changes yards since last run and tried in first-time hood here.

Form: 156058

Snugsborough Hall^h¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Mr R W Barron⁽⁷⁾| T: L P Cusack| OR: 116| BF| C

4/1

Maiden was only beaten 1¾L by Se Mo Laoch here penultimately over C&D and again ran well latest when third at Down Royal. 4lb better off now with aforementioned rival so reversal possible and claims look solid.

Form: 3F-5623

Se Mo Laoch^p¹²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: Mr E Mahon⁽⁷⁾| T: B McMahon| OR: 115| BF| C| D

9/2

Made the frame in his last eight starts winning twice. C&D win over Snugsborough Hall penultimately followed by another sound effort at Fairyhouse when second. Bold bid assured and probably the one to beat.

Form: 312212

Hugo 'n Taz^p1,t¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-10| J: Mr J Hogan⁽⁷⁾| T: D Hogan| OR: 110

9/1

Maiden over fences (10 races) and was 11L behind Snugsborough Hall at Down Royal latest when fifth. Cheekpieces now added but others appeal more.

Form: 673465

Double Portrait^b,t²²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-4| J: Mr Nathan Brennan⁽⁷⁾| T: S J Mahon| OR: 104

16/1

Ballinrobe winner has finished fourth in two of his three subsequent starts including at Thurles latest. Tougher ask in this company and doesn't appear well handicapped.

Form: P514P4

The Ballyboys^t1¹⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 10-4| J: Mr A M King⁽⁷⁾| T: R Hackett| OR: 99| BF

20/1

Five starts over fences seen errors aplenty as well as him running out once. Risky proposition especially from 5lb out of the handicap.

Form: 1U63R7

Non-Runners

Major Destination¹²

Weight: 11-12| Age: 8

T: N Meade J: Mr E Walsh

Forecasts

Whisperinthebreeze (4/1), Snugsborough Hall (4/1), Se Mo Laoch (9/2), Undressed (6/1), Hugo 'n Taz (9/1), Teacher's Pet (10/1), Aherlow (10/1), Major Destination (10/1), Double Portrait (16/1), The Ballyboys (20/1), Amaulino (28/1)

SE MO LAOCH is enjoying a tremendous run of form and is taken to gain a third win during this purple patch by maintaining superiority over similarly in form Snugsborough Hall who is sure to go well himself now 4lb better off with his conqueror over C&D. Unexposed pair Whisperinthebreeze and Aherlow add intrigue and the former is particularly feared if proving his stamina over this considerably longer trip.