15:40 Punchestown

Friday 3 May 2019

All15:4016:2016:5517:3018:0518:3519:1019:45

KFM Hunters Chase For The Bishopscourt Cup

Off time: 15:40 | Winning time: 5m 36.70s

Alpha Male⁴⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 12-2| J: Mr B O'Neill| T: P Maher| CD

11/8

Won this last year, but has lost his way since and was well behind the talented Burning Ambition at Down Royal last time. Hard to make a case for in current vein of form.

Form: 31-5008

Enniskillen^p,t³

Age: 14| Weight: 12-2| J: Mr B O Walsh⁽⁷⁾| T: P Maher| OR: 84| C

4/1

Veteran who showed there is still petrol in the tank when beating Alpha Male in a point-to-point in February. Not disgraced over 3m1f at Punchestown last time, but drops in trip and it may not suit.

Form: FU53P-5

Boubafly^t³³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: Mr A J Fox⁽⁷⁾| T: A J Martin

8/1

Only limited promise in hurdle races and point-to-points. In good hands and can do better, but needs to take a big step forward.

Form: 60/0-P4

Captain Commander^p1¹⁵²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: Miss P Elvin⁽⁷⁾| T: P J Hayes

25/1

Mixed messages in point-to-points when trained by Thomas Farrell. First run for this trainer with cheekpieces fitted for the first time.

Form: 390-P2P

Change Your Story⁴⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: Mr P W Mullins| T: P Maher| C

11/2

Won a point-to-point at Punchestown in February, but finished behind Alpha Male in a hunter chase at Down Royal on his latest start. Positive jockey booking offers encouragement..

Form: 43/5-P10

Handy Headon³³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: Mr S Cavanagh⁽⁷⁾| T: P M Quinlan

16/1

Had Boubafly behind when third of seven in second of two point-to-points. Low on experience, but seems to have ability.

Form: 53

Tipp Away⁶⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-11| J: Mr T Hamilton⁽⁵⁾| T: R O'Sullivan

10/1

Six runs in point-to-points and has gradually been getting his act together. Interesting contender on hunter chase debut.

Form: P7/P43-2

Flirting Lesa^h1¹³⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Mr N J Redmond⁽⁷⁾| T: P J Hayes

14/1

Unseated rider and pulled up twice in last three appearances in point-to-points. Hard to fancy on first appearance for this stable. Wears a hood for the first time.

Form: 464-UPP

Puff Of Smoke¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Mr T Power Roche⁽⁷⁾| T: P Maher

66/1

Left at the start and pulled up twice in point-to-points. One of five runners from this stable and probably the least viable.

Form: RPP

Non-Runners

Belocima⁴⁷

Weight: 11-11| Age: 6

T: P Maher J: Mr J C Barry

Forecasts

Alpha Male (11/8), Enniskillen (4/1), Change Your Story (11/2), Boubafly (8/1), Tipp Away (10/1), Flirting Lesa (14/1), Belocima (16/1), Handy Headon (16/1), Captain Commander (25/1), Puff Of Smoke (66/1)

Peter Maher won this race last year with Alpha Male who tries again, but perhaps Change Your Story is the best of his five representatives this time. Handy Headon and Boubafly have hinted at ability, but this may go to TIPP AWAY, who has been running respectably in point-to-points and may make a winning hunter chase debut.