15:10 Punchestown

Wednesday 16 October 2019

All14:0514:3515:1015:4516:1516:5017:20

Ladbrokes Where The Nation Plays Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:11 | Winning time: 5m 5.30s

Chateau Conti¹⁶⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: P J O'Hanlon⁽⁷⁾| T: R K Watson| OR: 135| D

50/1

Failed to complete in five of his last six over obstacles for Joseph O'Brien and hard to fancy on return for new yard.

Form: UF4FP-P

Blast Of Koeman^p,t¹⁵⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: Phillip Enright| T: R Tyner| OR: 128| CD

33/1

C&D first past the post (subsequently disqualified) last December was ultimately a shade disappointing twice here at the end of the season but he isn't one to ignore here especially if he's strong in the market as he has been in the past.

Form: F351-F4

Conron³²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: R M Power| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 126| C

7/1

2m handicap winner here last season beaten 20L on return to hurdles latest after tailing off time before on the Flat. Capable off this mark but hard to think he's not stable second string to Morosini.

Form: 415-238

Morga¹⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 10-10| J: C P McNamara⁽⁷⁾| T: D McDonogh| OR: 121| C

20/1

Hasn't won over hurdles for four years, and has never looked like winning this year (both on the flat and over hurdles). High enough in the handicap as well so is best watched for the time being.

Form: 70058-5

Morosini³⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 10-10| J: Mark Walsh| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 126| BF

9/4

Ballinrobe winner chased home a useful sort next before very encouraging third in handicap company at Listowel latest. 1lb higher but clearly on the up and fancied here with best days surely still lying ahead.

Form: 2-123

Ask Nile^b¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-9| J: D J Mullins| T: S Neville| OR: 120| BF

13/2

Not won since May 2017 but ran well over fences last time out behind a useful sort and his 12lb lower hurdles mark does help. Not the sort to have confidence in but similarly can't be ruled out here.

Form: 26-5463

Ellie Mac^p⁹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 120| D

10/1

Dual chase winner failed to complete in two of his last three over fences prompting this return to the smaller obstacles. Only hurdle win a maiden on Boxing Day 2017 but market can guide here.

Form: 637-U3P

Roi De Dubai⁶⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-9| J: D J McInerney| T: J C McConnell| OR: 120| D

25/1

In decent form early in the summer but failed to replicate such form since with laboured efforts at Galway and Sligo so others are more appealing now.

Form: 0-81408

Roseriver Has¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: K Brogan| T: N Meade| OR: 120

6/1

Off the mark at the 11th times of asking latest in a Downpatrick maiden over 2m3f. Little impression in lone previous handicap but that over a year ago and every chance he's improved now.

Form: 44360-1

Mister Eddman¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-8| J: B Browne⁽⁵⁾| T: O McKiernan| OR: 119

16/1

Hasn't progressed since making a winning hurdles debut at Downpatrick last season. Failed to stay under an aggressive ride at Navan (2m6f) last time but could do better here.

Form: 31-606

Miles To Memphis^t⁷⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 10-7| J: L P Dempsey| T: Mrs D Foster| OR: 118

25/1

Veteran making little impression on the Flat this summer and hurdles form last season similarly suggested him regressive. One to avoid here.

Form: 04-0076

The White Volcano⁴⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-7| J: C D Maxwell| T: J Woods| OR: 118

11/1

Improved to win Down Royal three mile handicap hurdle last May so no stamina concerns. Fourth at same venue on return over same trip and should come on for it; respected.

Form: 5741P-4

Lucky Road⁴⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 10-5| J: J M Moore| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 121| D

13/2

Comes here seeking a four-timer after winning 2m4f handicaps at Sligo, Killarney and Bellewstown on fast ground. Conditions here not too far off that so may be able to extend the run and certainly go close.

Form: 898111

Shadow Seven^b,t⁴¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-5| J: Oakley Brown⁽⁷⁾| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 116

16/1

63-rated dual Flat winner built on a pleasing hurdles bow when winning at Clonmel in a maiden over this trip last month. Interesting sort here for top yard and certainly one for the shortlist.

Form: 41

Le Vagabond^b¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: Danny Mullins| T: E J O'Grady| OR: 113

14/1

Return to Flat latest non-descript as recent hurdles races have been and easy to oppose on a three-year losing run.

Form: P/3-0675

Force Of Forces⁸⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-10| J: A W Short⁽³⁾| T: I Madden| OR: 107| D

50/1

Early promise when moving to this yard gradually dwindling and latest efforts suggest him best avoided here.

Form: U070P-0

Forecasts

Morosini (9/4), Roseriver Has (6/1), Lucky Road (13/2), Ask Nile (13/2), Conron (7/1), Ellie Mac (10/1), The White Volcano (11/1), Le Vagabond (14/1), Mister Eddman (16/1), Shadow Seven (16/1), Morga (20/1), Roi De Dubai (25/1), Miles To Memphis (25/1), Blast Of Koeman (33/1), Force Of Forces (50/1), Chateau Conti (50/1)

Jessica Harrington runs two here but it is the youngster MOROSINI who makes the most appeal having run so well on handicap debut last time out and there is almost certainly going to be more to come from him now. Lucky Road has to be seriously considered having won his last three and recent maiden scorers Shadow Seven and Roseriver Has also command respect.