13:45 Punchestown

Sunday 10 February 2019

All13:4514:2014:5015:2015:5016:2016:50

P.P. Hogan Memorial Cross Country Chase

Off time: 13:45 | Winning time: 7m 12.90s

A Sizing Network^p¹⁴⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: R M Power| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 127| C

8/1

Won twice as a novice last term but yet to make any inroads in his second season through six starts. Interesting first time over the banks but error prone over conventional fences so that the concern.

Form: 3P406P

Ballycasey⁵⁸

Age: 12| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr P W Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 147

4/1

Eight-time chase winner including four times at Graded level. Far from disgraced first time over Cheltenham's cross country fences when fifth (Josies Orders third) and expecting him to run well here with that under his belt.

Form: 336-345

Josies Orders^b⁵⁸

Age: 11| Weight: 12-0| J: Mark Walsh| T: E Bolger| OR: 135| BF| C| D

5/4

Beaten a short head in this last year and twice won over the banks here as well as winning four times over the Cheltenham Cross Country course. Terms of this non-handicap in his favour so the one they all have to beat.

Form: P21-013

King's Song^t¹⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: D F O'Regan| T: D Broad| OR: 115| CD

100/1

Six-time winner for Gordon Elliott yet to fire in two hurdle races for this yard this season. First time over the banks today but faces an uphill battle even if jumping proficiently.

Form: 669680

Alpha Male⁴⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: Keith Donoghue| T: P Maher| C

33/1

Hunter Chase and point-to-point scorer yet to fire in two starts this season. Down Royal run latest saw him 10th of 11 so needs this change of scenery to reinvigorate.

Form: 1231-50

Behind Time⁷¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: D J McInerney⁽³⁾| T: E Bolger| OR: 122

12/1

Uttoxeter winner last March but pulled up in all three subsequent starts for Harry Fry. First time for the Cross Country king here so interesting watch and no surprise if he runs well.

Form: 231PP-P

Enniskillen^p,t²⁷⁰

Age: 14| Weight: 11-11| J: Mr G L Murphy⁽⁷⁾| T: P Maher| OR: 84| C

100/1

2017 Punchestown festival winner over the banks but now of advancing years. Won a point last season to show he still retains ability but this first run since May likely to be needed.

Form: 6513F-U

Hurricane Darwin^t⁸⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-11| J: Donagh Meyler| T: A Fleming| OR: 132

8/1

Fourth in this last year (Josies Orders third). 6lb better off with that rival who he subsequently finished second to at the festival for which he is 5lb better off. Unseated first time out but certainly should be in the shake-up here.

Form: 104P2-F

Mtada Supreme⁷⁴

Age: 14| Weight: 11-11| J: Mr B O Walsh⁽⁷⁾| T: P Maher| OR: 97| C

25/1

Dual banks winner here was seventh in this race last year but only completed once since. That run was a sound C&D second but risky overall at this stage of his career.

Form: P7P-P2P

Ballinasilla^h1⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Sean Flanagan| T: D P Murphy

66/1

Dual point-to-point scorer tackles his first race under rules here. Hard to know what to expect entirely but likelihood is that he finds a few of these too good.

Form: F5-PF12

Bay Of Freedom⁵⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 11-4| J: Phillip Enright| T: Peter Fahey| OR: 133

33/1

Not won since 2016 and switch to this sphere at Cheltenham this season seen two rather laboured efforts which give him a huge amount to find.

Form: 0P-7P70

Devils Bride^t¹⁶⁶

Age: 12| Weight: 11-4| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 140

16/1

10-time winner for Willie Mullin although not since 2016. Not made the frame in last 10 races so certainly seems to be in decline overall although these fences some times reinvigorate and best form would be competitive.

Form: 0-94095

Festival Opera⁴⁵

Age: 11| Weight: 11-4| J: L P Dempsey| T: J P Dempsey| OR: 92

100/1

Third over the banks last April encouraging but faces tougher opposition this time round. Pulled-up on return at Limerick in a hunter chase but can come on for that. Place potential.

Form: 8/1U3-5P

Home Farm^t⁷

Age: 12| Weight: 11-4| J: M A Enright| T: G O'Loughlin| OR: 142

16/1

Classy sort at his best but hard to be sure how much ability now remains. Second in a point-to-point most recently so clearly still has the zest for it but others certainly appeal more.

Form: 1234/4-2

Lighting Tunes⁷⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: Mr N O'Rourke⁽⁷⁾| T: P Maher| OR: 83

100/1

Point-to-point winner never better than fourth in four previous runs here over these fences and that was rather remote. Likely complete but not make the frame.

Form: 4-375B4

Like A Demon⁴⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: Mr L J McGuinness⁽⁷⁾| T: N Slevin| OR: 100

100/1

19-race maiden under rules did win a point-to-point in December but pulled-up on return to rules racing last time. Hard to have any enthusiasm here.

Form: 070-15P

Forecasts

Josies Orders (5/4), Ballycasey (4/1), Hurricane Darwin (8/1), A Sizing Network (8/1), Behind Time (12/1), Devils Bride (16/1), Home Farm (16/1), Mtada Supreme (25/1), Bay Of Freedom (33/1), Alpha Male (33/1), Ballinasilla (66/1), King's Song (100/1), Enniskillen (100/1), Lighting Tunes (100/1), Like A Demon (100/1), Festival Opera (100/1)

Crack Cross Country performer JOSIES ORDERS makes easily the most appeal here and gets the vote to add a 10th career score. Ballycasey wasn't far behind him at Cheltenham last time out in his first such race and has the proven class to prove the biggest threat. Hurricane Darwin wasn't far behind the selection a couple of times last season and is now better off at the weights so another with realistic chances.