12:15 Punchestown

Saturday 16 November 2019

All12:1512:5013:2514:0014:3515:1015:4016:00

Festival Offers Now On Rated Novice Hurdle

Off time: 12:15 | Winning time: 4m 10.90s

Popong⁴¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 126

7/1

Wins at Wexford (2m4f) and Roscommon (2m4½f) in her first three starts but was found out to a degree at Galway and was a well-beaten third in Grade 3 company latest at Tipperary. Not ruled out but tough task at the weights.

Form: 1-2153

Authorized Art¹¹⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 11-4| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| BF| CD

9/4

French import who was second in lone hurdle start in his homeland won with plenty in hand on his stable debut in a C&D maiden hurdle. Fifth next in competitive Galway contest but been gelded since so can improve plenty for the champion trainer.

Form: 2-15

Poseidon¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: K J Brouder⁽⁵⁾| T: C Byrnes

11/2

Fair Flat performer is 0-6 over hurdles and although he has shown more than enough to think he will win races one can't help think he'd be better served in maidens at this stage.

Form: 7545-22

Alfa Mix³⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 11-2| J: C D Maxwell| T: G P Cromwell| D

10/1

Off the mark at the fifth time of asking (third over hurdles) when landing a Tramore maiden in impressive fashion last month. Clearly revelled in soft to heavy ground so conditions here will suit and has to be respected.

Form: F-09641

Anything Will Do¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-1| J: O R Brown⁽⁷⁾| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 124| D

5/2

Listowel maiden winner took record to 2-3 latest when winning a Wexford novice hurdle on soft to heavy ground over today's trip. Grade 1 Royal Bond entry clearly a useful prospect and high on the shortlist here.

Form: 131

Foxy Jacks¹⁸⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Mark Walsh| T: M F Morris| OR: 120

12/1

Still a maiden (five starts) but run to a decent standard in all three hurdle starts with two second the last twice over 2m4f and 3m. Trip on the sharp side today although going will bring stamina into play.

Form: 0/42-72

Rhythm Divine¹⁹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Donagh Meyler| T: T Gibney| OR: 121

12/1

Solid and consistent sort in a number of starts when hitting the frame over hurdles in the spring including a pleasing run in Listed company when last seen in May. Tougher ask against the boys but not taken lightly.

Form: 53332-2

Rock Samphire^h²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: M F Mooney| T: E D Delany

100/1

Below-par efforts in a number of starts on the Flat this year following a couple of dismal efforts over hurdles in February/March. Out of sorts and this looks a tough ask.

Form: 00-

Wooster^t⁴⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: B Browne⁽⁵⁾| T: N C Kelly| OR: 109| D

33/1

Cartmel win in August his first hurdle success in eight starts. Well beaten since in a Navan handicap off 111 since however so looks up against it here.

Form: 0-24510

Forecasts

Authorized Art (9/4), Anything Will Do (5/2), Poseidon (11/2), Popong (7/1), Alfa Mix (10/1), Rhythm Divine (12/1), Foxy Jacks (12/1), Wooster (33/1), Rock Samphire (100/1)

Although a shade disappointing in his second start for Willie Mullins AUTHORIZED ART is worth siding with again here given the strong impression he left on debut and Mullins' extraordinary record with French recruits. In a pretty wide open looking contest recent impressive scorer Alfa Mix and unexposed dual-winner Anything Will Do head the dangers.