14:35 Punchestown

Wednesday 15 January 2020

All12:3013:0013:3014:0014:3515:0515:40

Ladbrokes 'Where The Nation Plays' Novice Handicap Hurdle (80-109)

Off time: 14:36 | Winning time: 5m 29.0s

Rare Conor^t²⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-9| J: Sean O'Keeffe⁽⁵⁾| T: T Gibney| OR: 106

6/1

Is yet to offer anything in the way of encouragement in three starts since returning from a 12 month absence in November. Still looking no nearer to breakthrough success.

Form: 447-058

Empire Burleque^p1,t¹⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: K Brogan⁽⁷⁾| T: G Elliott| OR: 103

12/1

Debut bumper win in 2017 remains his sole success. Last of eight beaten 34L in a Limerick 2m novice hurdle on soft/heavy ground last month. No surprise to see an improved effort in first-time cheekpieces.

Form: 730-448

Key Commander¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: B J Foley⁽⁵⁾| T: E Doyle| OR: 104

5/1

Six-race maiden but produced a career best effort over 2m3f to finish third of 17 beaten 9½L on soft/heavy ground late last month. Looks to be an improving sort and merits plenty of respect.

Form: 04F-063

Marshalled⁴¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Mark Walsh| T: P Roche| OR: 100

7/2

Off the mark for connections at the fourth time of asking when landing a Clonmel handicap hurdle over 2m½f last month. Sets a high bar in this contest.

Form: 6-051

Tashman¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: J M Moore| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 103

14/1

Yet to hit the frame in 12 starts over hurdles. Recent efforts have been below-par and has not shown enough overall to be of interest in this contest.

Form: U9-0750

Sweet Sting¹⁰⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: Brian Hayes| T: M J Bowe| OR: 101| D

33/1

Off the mark on hurdling debut in a Tramore maiden hurdle over a similar trip in August. Out of luck in a couple of dismal efforts in a couple of starts when last seen in September. Well out of her depth in this company.

Form: 7991U0

Trendsetter^t⁵⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: P J Cawley⁽⁷⁾| T: B Cawley| OR: 97| D

33/1

Off the mark for connections at the 14th time of asking when landing a Sligo handicap hurdle in July. Mixed bag of efforts between August and November since. May need a few to falter to play a role in the finish.

Form: 152260

Colour Me In³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: T Ryan⁽⁷⁾| T: T Mullins| OR: 98

7/2

Long standing maiden over hurdles and while can put in the occasional decent effort, is not one to rely upon for win purposes despite looking favourably handicapped at present.

Form: 6U9304

Balkos⁴⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-6| J: Phillip Enright| T: D Hassett| OR: 92

9/2

Has shown little in the way of ability on all his racecourse starts including a 29L reverse on handicap debut at Thurles when last seen in November and faces a pretty tough task here

Form: 00606

Cousin Harry¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 10-3| J: Sean Flanagan| T: P J Rothwell| OR: 89

25/1

Has failed to get involved in six starts over a variety of trips in both bumpers and maiden hurdles so far. Vast improvement needed to figure.

Form: 67F680

Northern Emperor^p,t¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: A W Short⁽³⁾| T: V T O'Brien| OR: 85

14/1

Off the mark for connections at the 25th attempt when landing a Ballinrobe 2m6f handicap hurdle in August off a 5lb lower mark. Well held off a revised mark since and needs a sizable amount of improvement to mix it in this contest.

Form: 571676

Robin Des Ruby¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-2| J: C P McNamara⁽⁵⁾| T: E Griffin| OR: 88

40/1

Not much to shout about in a number of starts over hurdles since her debut at Thurles in November. Unlikely to play a part in the finish.

Form: 0U00

Non-Runners

Dawson's Gate¹⁴

Weight: 11-11| Age: 6

T: E P Harty J: J S McGarvey

Forecasts

Marshalled (7/2), Colour Me In (7/2), Balkos (9/2), Key Commander (5/1), Rare Conor (6/1), Dawson's Gate (10/1), Empire Burleque (12/1), Northern Emperor (14/1), Tashman (14/1), Cousin Harry (25/1), Sweet Sting (33/1), Trendsetter (33/1), Robin Des Ruby (40/1)

MARSHALLED can overcome a 7lb rise for his win at Clonmel where the Flemensfirth gelding got off the mark at the fourth time of asking for connections. The Eoin Doyle-trained Key Commander and the first-time blinkered Empire Burleque rates as the main threats while Northern Emperor may be capable of going well at a likely bigger price.