13:10 Punchestown

Tuesday 31 December 2019

All12:0512:4013:1013:4514:1514:5015:25

Play The Tote Trifecta 3-Y-O Maiden Hurdle

Off time: 13:11 | Winning time: 4m 4.90s

Darkened⁹¹

Age: 3| Weight: 11-0| J: D G Hogan| T: D Hogan

20/1

Failed to scored in five starts on the Flat, although he did hit the frame on three occasions, including last time at Cork (1m½) when he was third of 17. Set for hurdles debut on first run for his new yard. Can't be discounted.

Form:

Early Voice^h¹¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 11-0| J: Sean Flanagan| T: B W Duke

33/1

Finished fourth of 10 on his hurdles debut at Killarney (2m1f). Failed to build upon that on his latest outing though as he was 12th of 16 at Listowel (2m). Is exposed now so others are preferred.

Form: 40

Garrison Commander¹⁷⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 11-0| J: Brian Hayes| T: G Elliott| BF

66/1

Is a maiden on the Flat following nine runs. He was fourth of 10 on his last start at Pontefract (1m) where he went off as the 4/1 co-favourite. Has since switched yard. Best to watch on hurdles debut.

Form:

Gealach²³

Age: 3| Weight: 11-0| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott

9/2

Was without a win on the Flat in five appearances. Has been well held on his three starts over hurdles so far, including latest at Cork when he was 34L away in fourth place of 16. Needs to improve.

Form: 684

Jess's Corner^h³⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 11-0| J: Darragh O'Keeffe| T: T G McCourt

100/1

Failed to shine in six races on the Flat. Made his hurdles debut at this course over the extended 2m trip last time where he was a long way behind, finishing ninth of 15 as a 100/1 shot. Will need to produce much more this time.

Form: 9

Lightsider³⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 11-0| J: N P Madden| T: P Roche

66/1

Has been tailed off on both of his two runs over hurdles so far. He was 11th of 15 around this course (2m½f) on his latest attempt where he was unable to make an impression in the closing stages. Others appeal more.

Form: 00

Metal Man⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 11-0| J: M A Enright| T: G Elliott

66/1

Was without a win in four runs on the Flat. Made his hurdles debut at Leopardstown (2m) just four days ago where he unseated his rider at the third hurdle. Best to watch on his second attempt.

Form: U

Millford Sound¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 11-0| J: Danny Mullins| T: A Mullins| OR: 109

25/1

Prevailed at Naas (1m2f) on the Flat. Did not perform too badly last time over hurdles at Fairyhouse (2m) as he was fourth of 14 runners. Will need to improve to break his maiden over obstacles though.

Form: 554

Oak Park⁹⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 11-0| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott

25/1

Without a win in 10 starts on the Flat. He was sixth of 10 on his last appearance in France at Senonnes-Pouance (1m2½f). Has switched to a leading yard. Will be interesting if there is strong market confidence behind him on his hurdles debut.

Form:

Oliver Hardy^t¹²²

Age: 3| Weight: 11-0| J: Donagh Meyler| T: D Hogan

66/1

Was quite smart on the Flat with two wins from five starts on turf. Could only finish fifth of six on his latest run on the AW at Lingfield (1m4f). Has since been gelded and has moved yards. Not one to ignore on his first run over hurdles.

Form:

Pasley^t²³

Age: 3| Weight: 11-0| J: Mark Walsh| T: J P O'Brien| BF

6/4

Has fared well on both of his two runs over hurdles, finishing second on both occasions. His last outing came at Cork in a 2m contest which featured 16 runners where he went off as the 2/5 favourite. Leading contender.

Form: 22

Patience Patience^h1,t1⁴³⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 11-0| J: C D Maxwell| T: J Magnier

66/1

Has had one run on the course and that was on the Flat at Leopardstown (1m) as a two-year-old where he came home at the rear of 20 runners. Will wear a hood and have a tongue-tie on for the first time. Best to watch.

Form:

Sevenaday^h,t1¹³⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 11-0| J: A W Short⁽³⁾| T: Thomas Coyle

66/1

Had 11 attempts on the Flat to get off the mark without success. He was 10th of 14 on his last appearance at Roscommon (7½f). Will wear a tongue-tie for the first time. Has to improve on this switch in codes.

Form:

Three Comets¹⁰⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 11-0| J: C Brassil⁽⁵⁾| T: L Comer

20/1

Was successful just once on the Flat and that was over the extended 1m trip at Hamilton as a two-year-old. Came home at the rear of three runners last time at Yarmouth (1m3½f). First run for new yard. Interesting newcomer to hurdles.

Form:

Top Line Tommy^h¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 11-0| J: Phillip Enright| T: E J O'Grady

10/1

Is still looking for his first win after seven runs across both codes. His last three outings have come over hurdles. He ran well last time at Fairyhouse (2m) when he was second of 14. One to think about.

Form: 952

Weather Alert³⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 11-0| J: K J Brouder⁽³⁾| T: T Mullins

50/1

Was unable to score in four attempts on the Flat. Appeared over hurdles for the first time at this course (2m½f) on his latest run where he had just one horse behind him in the 15 runner contest. Needs to improve.

Form: 0

Wicklow Gale^h⁵⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 11-0| J: D F O'Regan| T: P Martin

100/1

Struggled in six appearances on the Flat. His latest run came on the AW at Dundalk (1m2½f) where he finished eighth of 14 after going off at 33/1. Will need to be much better over hurdles to be in the mix.

Form:

Yafordadoe³⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 11-0| J: J M Moore| T: G P Cromwell

6/1

Was successful twice on the Flat in big runner handicaps back in October. Made his debut over hurdles last time out at this course (2m½f), finishing seventh of 15. Open to improvement. Not one to ignore easily.

Form: 7

Annie Pender¹⁰²

Age: 3| Weight: 10-7| J: J S McGarvey| T: J Queally

16/1

Showed very little in five starts on the Flat earlier this year. She came back 10th of 13 on her latest effort on the AW at Dundalk (1m). Switched yards last month. One to watch on her hurdles debut here.

Form:

Cape Islay⁷³

Age: 3| Weight: 10-7| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead

9/2

Scored three times on the Flat, with her last success coming over the extended 1m4f trip at Chester. Has moved to a leading yard where she should be respected on her first run over hurdles. One for the shortlist.

Form:

Forecasts

Pasley (6/4), Gealach (9/2), Cape Islay (9/2), Yafordadoe (6/1), Top Line Tommy (10/1), Annie Pender (16/1), Darkened (20/1), Three Comets (20/1), Oak Park (25/1), Millford Sound (25/1), Early Voice (33/1), Weather Alert (50/1), Patience Patience (66/1), Garrison Commander (66/1), Metal Man (66/1), Oliver Hardy (66/1), Lightsider (66/1), Sevenaday (66/1), Jess's Corner (100/1), Wicklow Gale (100/1)

PASLEY has been expensive to follow on his two starts over hurdles so far, however, he can finally make it pay for those who stick with him as he can break his maiden here, building on his two positive runs to date. Three Comets was fairly useful on the Flat but we may now see even more from him over hurdles so expect a big run on his debut over obstacles, while Cape Islay can put in a positive display on her opening run in this code after moving to a leaving yard.