18:35 Punchestown

Friday 3 May 2019

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

Star Best For Racing Coverage Champion Hunters Chase

Off time: 18:37 | Winning time: 6m 33.0s

Balnaslow²⁹

Age: 12| Weight: 12-0| J: Ms K Ferris⁽⁷⁾| T: G J McKeever| OR: 127| CD

33/1

Major force in this sphere in his prime, but three poor runs this year suggest he is past his best and he was beaten out of sight over the Grand National fences at Aintree last time.

Form: 1P-47P9

Burning Ambition²⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr R James⁽⁷⁾| T: Pierce Power| OR: 140

4/1

More than useful in this division, but seems to find 3m stretching his stamina and it was probably lack of staying power which was his undoing at Aintree last time. Will probably be held up for a late run.

Form: 28-1312

Caid Du Berlais^t⁴⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr William Biddick| T: Mrs R Loxton| OR: 132| CD

3/1

Won this last year and was a wide-margin winner of a point-to-point in March before being pulled up in the Foxhunters' Chase at Cheltenham. Up against it on the evidence of that display.

Form: 1151-1P

Fenno's Storm^v³³

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr D L Queally⁽³⁾| T: D Queally| OR: 130| D

10/1

Plenty of good form in point-to-points and hunter chases, but unseated at the final fence last time in the former discipline when long odds-on. That was a rare blip and he can make his presence felt.

Form: U1211U

It Came To Pass¹¹

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: Miss M O'Sullivan⁽⁷⁾| T: E M O'Sullivan| OR: 126

12/1

Won a point-to-point and hunter chase last month on first two starts for current stable after leaving Jim Culloty's yard. More required at this level, but is in good heart and can get involved.

Form: 9/2-3111

Macs Legend¹¹

Age: 11| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr E P O'Brien⁽⁷⁾| T: G Kelleher| OR: 113

50/1

Useful point-to-pointer who was fourth to It Came To Pass in a hunter chase at Cork last month. Will probably find this opposition too hot.

Form: 1F1414

Salsify¹¹

Age: 14| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr T Hamilton⁽⁵⁾| T: R Sweeney| OR: 139| CD

66/1

As good as there was in this division a few years ago, but age has caught up with him and he has been beaten a long way by a few of these rivals on his last three starts. Readily opposed.

Form: 40/3-386

Stand Up And Fight⁴⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr D O'Connor| T: E Bolger| OR: 139| C

7/4

Beaten by Fenno's Storm in a point-to-point in January, but is young and progressive and ran respectably to finish sixth of 24 in the Foxhunters' Chase at Cheltenham last time. Top amateur jockey retains the ride and he looks a big player.

Form: 4P-1126

Ucello Conti^p,t¹⁰

Age: 11| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr B O'Neill| T: G Elliott| OR: 139| D

5/1

Experienced campaigner who finished in front of Stand Up And Fight when fifth at Cheltenham and showed his well being when winning at Fairyhouse last month in first-time cheekpieces which are retained. One for the short list.

Form: 1115P1

Forecasts

Stand Up And Fight (7/4), Caid Du Berlais (3/1), Burning Ambition (4/1), Ucello Conti (5/1), Fenno's Storm (10/1), It Came To Pass (12/1), Balnaslow (33/1), Macs Legend (50/1), Salsify (66/1)

Burning Ambition is capable enough, but finds this trip stretching his stamina, so the finish may be fought out by Fenno's Storm, Ucello Conti and STAND UP AND FIGHT. The selection has a bit to find with his rivals, but is open to plenty of improvement and will lack nothing from the saddle. It Came To Pass looks the best of the rest.