13:40 Punchestown

Tuesday 26 November 2019

All12:4013:1013:4014:1014:4015:1015:40

I.N.H. Stallion Owners EBF Maiden Hurdle

Off time: 13:41 | Winning time: 5m 50.60s

Aarons Day²¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: B Browne⁽⁵⁾| T: O McKiernan

100/1

Down the field on both starts which were nearly a year apart. Hard to see him getting in the shake-up.

Form: 0/0-

Atlantic Shore²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Brian Hayes| T: P Fenton

12/1

Well held in three hurdle starts although some minor ability shown along the way. Outside chance to make the frame but surely handicaps will offer better opportunities.

Form: 21/4-64

Berkerys Enigma¹⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: J J Slevin| T: S Curling

100/1

Son of Flemensfirth won a point-to-point last March but was pulled up here on debut after jumping in a novicey fashion. Must brush that up to be involved under Rules.

Form: 51-P

Bois De Clamart^t1²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Sean O'Keeffe⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss E Doyle

33/1

Former bumper winner ran respectably over hurdles at Down Royal latest but ultimately he was a well held sixth of 14. More needed now.

Form: 1/2-66

Campo Viego¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: C J Orr⁽⁵⁾| T: J Dullea

100/1

Never really a factor in maidens at Galway and Clonmel this autumn and remains on the 'best watched' list.

Form: 7-80

Foxy Jacks¹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Mark Walsh| T: M F Morris| OR: 120

8/1

Twice second in four hurdles starts and although disappointing here latest he could take a step forward now second time post-layoff. One for the shortlist.

Form: 0/42-727

Gun Merchant¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| C

10/1

Won his bumper here and signs of promise latest (second hurdle start) when fourth to useful Andy Dufresne at Navan. Must improve again if he's to battle for more than a minor placing.

Form: 4/3-2184

Heroes Of Renown²⁵³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: R M Power| T: J Motherway

16/1

Promise in second of three bumpers last season not followed up at Navan in March and he's hard to fancy now over hurdles.

Form: 530-

I'mstillyourbaby²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: J S McGarvey| T: P A Fahy

33/1

Fourth at Down Royal latest a step in the right direction albeit he was still soundly beaten in the end. Would have to improve further to have a hand in the finish here.

Form: 75-0724

Larry Looby¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: E Walsh⁽⁷⁾| T: D McDonogh

100/1

Golden Lariat gelding out of a New Frontier I mare pulled up in final point and a remote 11th on Rules bow at Navan. Makes no appeal.

Form: U3/81P-0

Minella Encore⁶⁶¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins

11/8

Won two Leopardstown bumpers in 17/18 season before fourth to similarly injury-hit stablemate Blackbow in a subsequent Grade Two. Long layoffs absolutely no issue for this stable (see Douvan) and therefore looks the one to beat.

Form: F1114/

Momus²¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Sean Flanagan| T: N Meade| OR: 123

13/2

Placed in six of his eight hurdle starts and although a shade disappointing at Fairyhouse when last seen he should be able to bounce back now after the layoff and another place at least highly likely.

Form: 223236-

Oscar Montel¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: C P McNamara⁽⁷⁾| T: E McNamara

12/1

Twice placed bumper horse headed 100 yards out when second of 11 in a 2m6½f Thurles maiden hurdle earlier this month. Today's trip then ideal and has to be respected even in slightly stronger contest.

Form: P3-342

Spare Capacity⁵⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Liam McKenna⁽⁷⁾| T: Colm Murphy

100/1

Non-factor in maidens at Tramore and Navan earlier in the year so best watched again.

Form: P-00

Drury²³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Danny Mullins| T: W P Mullins

9/2

Apparent stable second-string but the lone mare in this field has claims having placed in maiden hurdles at Gowran and Cork since winning a bumper in the summer.

Form: P5-123

Forecasts

Minella Encore (11/8), Drury (9/2), Momus (13/2), Foxy Jacks (8/1), Gun Merchant (10/1), Atlantic Shore (12/1), Oscar Montel (12/1), Heroes Of Renown (16/1), Bois De Clamart (33/1), I'mstillyourbaby (33/1), Aarons Day (100/1), Spare Capacity (100/1), Campo Viego (100/1), Larry Looby (100/1), Berkerys Enigma (100/1)

Willie Mullins' has time and again brought horses back from long absences close to their best this autumn and with that in mind one can be confident we will see MINELLA ENCORE ready to do himself justice first time back after 21 months off and presuming that to be the case he will take all the beating today. The fact that Paul Townend prefers the selection to Drury is significant because that mare along with Momus and Oscar Montel is among the runners with the best hurdles form in the book.