15:40 Punchestown

Wednesday 1 May 2019

All15:4016:2016:5517:3018:0518:4019:1019:45

Adare Manor Opportunity Series Final Handicap Hurdle (95-123)

Off time: 15:42 | Winning time: 5m 19.50s

Miles To Memphis^b1,t⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: B Browne⁽²⁾| T: Mrs D Foster| OR: 123

25/1

Has been struggling for form for some time, but got back on track to a large degree when a keeping-on fourth over 2¾m at Fairyhouse recently, and could get involved if blinkers have a positive effect.

Form: 20-8004

Press Conference¹²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Sean O'Keeffe⁽⁴⁾| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 123

4/1

Much improved on second start over hurdles when winning a 2m maiden hurdle at Limerick last time by 2¾L from Annamix. Should stay this longer trip, and while more is required now handicapping, he's completely unexposed.

Form: 3/127-71

Conron¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-11| J: C J Orr⁽²⁾| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 122| C

7/1

Has won a maiden and a handicap over 2m here this season, and showed his stamina for that trip on the Flat when scoring at Clonmel last time after a break. Could improve further over this new trip, and shortlisted.

Form: 359415

Falak¹⁹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: Katie O'Farrell⁽⁴⁾| T: G Elliott| OR: 122

33/1

Won at Kilbeggan (2m) and on the Flat at Carlisle (1¾m) in August. Looked a little jaded when well beaten at Killarney in October, and should have derived some benefit from a lengthy break.

Form: 52S-013

Fine Theatre^b⁴⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-11| J: K Brogan⁽⁴⁾| T: P Nolan| OR: 122

33/1

Better than this in his prime, and dropped a long way in the weights before scoring gamely at Wexford last time. Had quite a hard race there, but claims if he can build on that encouraging effort.

Form: 9F07P1

Musical Slave⁴¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 121

7/1

Has improved markedly since racing on better ground on last two starts, winning 2m handicaps at Market Rasen and Ludlow. Untried at further, but bred to stay, so could well take another leap forward here.

Form: 6/6-6511

Rock De Baune¹²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Darragh O'Keeffe⁽⁴⁾| T: J E Kiely| OR: 121

8/1

Best effort this season when neaver-nearer fifth in a 23 runner handicap hurdle at Leopardstown (3m, good) over Christmas. Had beaten Klassical Dream when trained in France, and feared if able to recapture that smart juvenile form.

Form: 79-0565

Ballyegan Hero¹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: A McCurtin| T: J J Walsh| OR: 120| D

33/1

Failed to complete on his last two starts over fences last summer, and fared no better reverting to hurdles after an absence at Ballinrobe last month.

Form: 0-85UF0

Ballyhome³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: C Brace⁽⁴⁾| T: F O'Brien| OR: 120| D

14/1

Subject of a gamble when winning on debut for this yard at Wetherby, and again well backed when scoring in good style at Market Rasen (2m7f) in March. May have more to offer.

Form: 2-15321

Hows Patsy⁹⁷

Age: 11| Weight: 11-8| J: T Ryan⁽⁴⁾| T: S Ryan| OR: 119

33/1

Defied a 9lb lower mark to make a winning return on soft ground at Limerick in December, and may have bounced when running poorly at Gowran the following month. Still looks to have his work cut out from his current mark.

Form: P/F32-1P

Nicely Indeed^p⁹⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-8| J: Liam Quinlan⁽⁴⁾| T: P A Kirby| OR: 119| D

33/1

Relished testing ground when winning back-to-back handicaps at Sedgefield in December/January, but looks high in the weights now, and could do with rain.

Form: 873211

The Jam Man⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: P V O'Brien| T: R McNally| OR: 118| BF| D

20/1

Runner-up off 2lb lower at Gowran (2½m, soft) but patchy form over hurdles/fences subsequently. Seemed to excel himself when third in a Flat maiden at Tipperary recently, but far from certain to back that up now.

Form: 702F9P

Duc De Beauchene^t1⁵⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: D J McInerney| T: D Pipe| OR: 117| D

14/1

Improved to make a winning handicap debut at Plumpton in February, and ran at least as well when second of 8 to Gleno in novice handicap at Sandown (2½m, soft) last time. Should give another good account assuming ground has some cut. Tongue tied.

Form: 9/59412

Mac N Cheese⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: C P McNamara⁽⁴⁾| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 117

33/1

Let down by jumping over fences, including on debut for new yard at Fairyhouse last month. Best form over hurdles came when winning in the mud, and conditions may not suit here.

Form: F61-836

Thereisnodoubt^h⁵³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: E O'Connell⁽⁴⁾| T: S Crawley| OR: 117

7/1

Clear-cut winner of two of his last three starts in handicaps with ease underfoot (for new yard last time), but held on quicker ground in between, and he's taking a steep rise in class now.

Form: 00F151

From Eden^b⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: P J Vaughan⁽⁴⁾| T: G Elliott| OR: 116| BF

16/1

Beaten by Thereisnodoubt at Gowran in March on soft ground, but has improved in the interim with blinkers applied, winning at Ayr and running well off a much higher mark at Perth last time, when seeming not to stay 3¼m.

Form: 812214

Kilbarry Lilly¹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: R P Treacy| T: C O'Keeffe| OR: 116

22/1

Winner in point-to-points at third time of asking and similar tale in maiden hurdles as she scored in March at Leopardstown (2½m, soft). Creditable fourth on handicap debut at Cork, but fair bit more needed from same mark.

Form: F13414

Visioman¹²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: A W Short| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 114

33/1

Disqualified after testing positive for prohibited substance after winning his maiden, and just fair efforts at best in handicaps, although fared better when fifth off this mark at Leopardstown last time. Needs to improve on that.

Form: 2D2305

Bay Hill^p¹⁵²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: Mr L P Gilligan⁽⁴⁾| T: P Roche| OR: 112| BF

25/1

Took 2m opportunity handicap at Listowel in September and won narrowly from Benny In Milan at Thurles in November. Ran poorly at Limerick last time, but that wasn't his form, and he could bounce back if staying this new trip.

Form: 0-61210

Kilbarry Way²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: C Brassil⁽²⁾| T: C O'Keeffe| OR: 112

50/1

Won mares' event at Clonmel in November, and back to form when fifth of 13 to Darver Star on handicap debut at Wexford last time.. That demonstrates that she needs to improve again to contend here.

Form: 641685

Benny In Milan¹⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: S A Mulcahy⁽⁴⁾| T: D Hogan| OR: 111

25/1

Form has a patchy look, but he's now 4lb better off with Bay Hill for a short-head defeat at Thurles in November. Not at best since, but hinted at a revival last time, and claims if putting his best foot forward.

Form: P12974

Big Nick⁴⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: D P Holden⁽⁴⁾| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 111

14/1

Lightly-raced gelding who ran his best race when 9½L third of 14 to Aim For Glory in maiden at Limerick (2m,. heavy) last time. Needs to improve, but possible that better ground will bring about progress.

Form: 2-453

Sullane Hill²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: K J Brouder⁽⁴⁾| T: P C O'Connor| OR: 111

33/1

Belatedly shed his maiden status in novice event at Wexford (2½m) last month, but will find this more competitive, and others appear to have more scope.

Form: 267P51

Goaheadmakemyday^p,t²⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 10-13| J: C A Landers⁽²⁾| T: T Foley| OR: 110| C

50/1

Won off a 7lb lower mark at Down Royal in January, but has found life tougher from revised mark, and just a respectable effort in mares' handicap at Fairyhouse last time. Might improve for that run, but others more appealing.

Form: 8-43100

Non-Runners

Fred The Foot⁹

Weight: 11-11| Age: 7

T: J C McConnell J: Ricky Doyle

Lady Ischia²⁴

Weight: 10-12| Age: 7

T: G P Cromwell J: Reserve 1

Diggin Deep⁵⁸

Weight: 10-12| Age: 9

T: S Hanlon J: Reserve 2

Abraham⁴⁰

Weight: 10-10| Age: 7

T: J R Barry J: Reserve 3

Forecasts

Press Conference (4/1), Musical Slave (7/1), Conron (7/1), Thereisnodoubt (7/1), Rock De Baune (8/1), Ballyhome (14/1), Big Nick (14/1), Duc De Beauchene (14/1), From Eden (16/1), The Jam Man (20/1), Fred The Foot (20/1), Kilbarry Lilly (22/1), Bay Hill (25/1), Benny In Milan (25/1), Miles To Memphis (25/1), Falak (33/1), Mac N Cheese (33/1), Fine Theatre (33/1), Visioman (33/1), Sullane Hill (33/1), Hows Patsy (33/1), Nicely Indeed (33/1), Ballyegan Hero (33/1), Goaheadmakemyday (50/1), Kilbarry Way (50/1)

The handicapper may have erred on the side of caution with PRESS CONFERENCE after his impressive maiden win last time, but he is utterly unexposed, and could well defy his initial mark given the scope he has for improvement. Musical Slave has won both his handicaps at around 2m, and looks capable of better again at this trip, so is shortlisted along with Rock de Baune, who beat Tuesday's impressive Grade 1 winner Klassical Dream as a juvenile.