16:15 Punchestown

Thursday 2 May 2019

All15:4016:1516:5017:3018:0518:4019:1519:45

Pigsback.com Handicap Chase (Grade B)

Off time: 16:15 | Winning time: 4m 6.90s

Bun Doran⁴⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: P J Brennan| T: T R George| OR: 150| D

8/1

Found only Croco Bay too strong in the Grand Annual (2m½f, good to soft) at Cheltenham Festival. As good as ever this term and respected despite being rated 2lblb higher now.

Form: 335/122-

Doctor Phoenix^p,t¹⁰

Age: 11| Weight: 11-7| J: Keith Donoghue| T: G Elliott| OR: 147| D

33/1

Veteran has failed to capture the good form of last season in a number of below-par performances this term. Wasn't disgraced in C&D Grade 1 behind Un De Sceaux last year, but needs big bounce-back here.

Form: 6672P5-

Moon Over Germany²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: D N Russell| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 147| D

7/2

Had shown plenty promise over fences this term prior to breaking duck in Grade 3 Aintree handicap (2m, soft) last time. Improving sort commands respect once more. Raised 11lb.

Form: 0/32741-

Don't Touch It^p¹⁹⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-5| J: Mark Walsh| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 145| CD

20/1

Won a Grade 1 novice hurdle at this meeting in 2016, but he's had rather a mixed record since. Out of form over hurdles/fences early in the season and unsighted since October; others preferred.

Form: 503174-

Croco Bay^p⁴⁸

Age: 12| Weight: 11-2| J: Kielan Woods| T: B I Case| OR: 142| D

16/1

Likeable veteran doesn't race often these days, defined 227-day absence to win Grand Annual (2m½f, good to soft) at Cheltenham in March, fending off Bun Doran up the hill. Only rated 3lb higher and can't be overlooked.

Form: 9835/21

Impact Factor¹¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: R M Power| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 140| CD

7/2

Had shown plenty of promise over fences prior to landing Fairyhouse handicap in this grade over similar trip recently (bit fortuitous). Entitled to be taken seriously despite 6lb hike, if this doesn't come up rather quickly.

Form: 322251

Tycoon Prince^t³²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 140| CD

28/1

Has flattered to deceive at times this season, with best effort being runner-up finishes in small-field affairs. Others seem more likely, for all that his trainer is oh-so capable of having him spot on for this.

Form: 480342-

Mind's Eye^p1¹¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 139| D

9/1

Well behind in the Grade 3 Grand Annual at the Cheltenham Festival when blundering at the fourth last before eventually being pulled up. He was still right in the mix at Fairyhouse since when he ran out (race won by Impact Factor).

Form: 1655PR-

Eamon An Cnoic^p,t²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-11| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe| OR: 137| D

14/1

Gallant effort in fourth at Cheltenham in 2m4½f handicap in March but unable to match that effort at Aintree (2m, soft) and again may find this tough going over minimum trip.

Form: 856149

Nearly Nama'd⁴⁶

Age: 11| Weight: 10-2| J: Darragh O'Keeffe⁽⁷⁾| T: A Leahy| OR: 128| D

40/1

Form has been sending out mixed messages of late where the Millenary gelding has flattered to deceive. Long time since he won and this looks much tougher than Wexford race in which he finished third in March.

Form: P07683-

Snugsborough Hall^h¹¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-1| J: D F O'Regan| T: L P Cusack| OR: 127| C

11/4

Couple of wins this spring and clearly in good heart, he was moving up menacingly at Fairyhouse (2m½f, good to yielding) 11 days ago when carried out at the third last (race won by Impact Factor). Worth considering from 1lb higher mark.

Form: 23311C

Stowaway Forever^b,t⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-1| J: L P Dempsey| T: J P Dempsey| OR: 127

20/1

An 11-race maiden over these obstacles, he has made the frame six times including at Fairyhouse recently over this trip in a beginners chase. Capable of having a say back in handicap company.

Form: 323B22-

Forecasts

Snugsborough Hall (11/4), Impact Factor (7/2), Moon Over Germany (7/2), Bun Doran (8/1), Mind's Eye (9/1), Eamon An Cnoic (14/1), Croco Bay (16/1), Don't Touch It (20/1), Stowaway Forever (20/1), Tycoon Prince (28/1), Doctor Phoenix (33/1), Nearly Nama'd (40/1)

Impact Factor's recent Fairyhouse win might have played out differently had Mind's Eye not run out late on and taken SNUGSBOROUGH HALL with. The selection has improved this spring and can atone for some desperate luck there. Bottom weight Stowaway Forever isn't crossed off while Aintree winner Moon Over Germany should have more to offer and joins the consistent Bun Doran on the shortlist. Cheltenham winner Croco Bay will have claims if he replicates that run.