15:15 Punchestown

Wednesday 19 February 2020

All13:4014:1014:4015:1515:4516:2016:55

Pertemps Network Group Handicap Hurdle (Qualifier)

Off time: 15:15 | Winning time: 6m 41.60s

Jury Duty^b1,t¹⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: R M Power| T: G Elliott| OR: 145| C

20/1

Failed to complete either the Irish or British Grand National last term and is generally bereft of any form in a couple of dour efforts since October. First time blinkers unlikely to bring about the required amount of improvement needed.

Form: 1UP-640

Doctor Duffy²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Danny Mullins| T: C Byrnes| OR: 138

16/1

Winner of three of his 11 starts over timber. In good form this season bar a slight hiccup on a trip to Huntingdon last month. Not to be taken lightly.

Form: R21420

A Great View^p⁵³

Age: 9| Weight: 10-11| J: Mark Walsh| T: D Cullen| OR: 135| CD

11/2

Lightly raced in the last 12 months and has looked a little below par in a couple of starts since returning to action in November. C&D winner commands respect but this looks a tough ask.

Form: 561/9-40

Bothar Dubh¹⁰²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-8| J: Sean O'Keeffe⁽⁵⁾| T: D Queally| OR: 132| D

10/1

Solid and consistent winner of four of his 13 starts over hurdles. Running with credit in defeat in a number of starts between September and November. Worth a check in the market on return to action.

Form: 311223

Flawless Escape⁹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-8| J: D F O'Regan| T: G Elliott| OR: 132

16/1

Recently seen over the larger obstacles, the Sagamix gelding is one from four in the hurdling department. Conditions a concern and others preferred.

Form: 30/9-2F0

Solomn Grundy⁵⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 10-7| J: H Morgan⁽⁷⁾| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 131| D

12/1

Three from 12 over hurdles including a win over a similar trip but is becoming a bit inconsistent these days. Plenty to find on recent offerings.

Form: 245P-07

Cartwright^p³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-6| J: B J Cooper| T: G Elliott| OR: 130

25/1

Another representative of the stable stepping back into hurdling company following a number of futile efforts over the larger obstacles. Best watched unless market vibes suggest otherwise.

Form: 4-00090

High Sparrow^b¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-6| J: C P McNamara| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 130| C| D

4/1

Won for the second time in his career when landing a soft ground handicap hurdle over a similar trip at Clonmel off an 8lb lower mark in October. Beaten since in hotter company than this since. Not to be taken lightly.

Form: 6P1S55

Relegate³⁸²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-6| J: Brian Hayes| T: Colm Murphy| OR: 130| BF| C

10/1

Champion bumper winner at the Cheltenham festival in March. Won a maiden hurdle in December but no match for Commander Of Fleet in a Grade 1 contest at Leopardstown earlier this month on final start for Willie Mullins.

Form: 117/215-

Royal Thief^p1⁴⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-5| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 129

7/2

Won for the second time over hurdles when landing a Thurles novices' contest over a similar trip last month. First-time cheekpieces can only assist improvement.

Form: 33-6131

Thermistocles¹⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 10-5| J: J J Slevin| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 129| D

20/1

Encouraging and promising win in a Clonmel 3m handicap hurdle in November 2018 looks a distant memory. Has failed to complete two of his last three starts and hard to see where improvement is coming from.

Form: 378-F0P

Blast Of Koeman^b,t⁵⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 10-3| J: Phillip Enright| T: R Tyner| OR: 127

33/1

Two from 12 starts over hurdles. Nearer last than first on his latest start over timber at this venue when last seen at the end of the year. May struggle once again.

Form: D-F4079

Scoir Mear¹⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 10-3| J: Simon Torrens⁽⁷⁾| T: T Mullins| OR: 127| D

25/1

Two from 13 starts over hurdles. Has mainly disappointed over fences in a number of starts since November. Appears to have a mountain to climb on return over timber.

Form: 766600

Argumental^t1³²

Age: 5| Weight: 10-2| J: P E Corbett| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 129

12/1

Off the mark for connections at the second time of asking when landing a Limerick 2m maiden over Christmas. Beaten in novice company since but well worth a check in the market on handicap debut.

Form: 25-414

Mary Frances²⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: C A Landers⁽⁵⁾| T: M Hassett| OR: 126

9/1

Highly tried but no match for the likes of Stormy Ireland in a Grade 3 contest at Leopardstown in December and a 58L reversal in the Grade 2 Galmoy hurdle at Gowran Park last month. Hard to recommend.

Form: 96-2275

Its All Guesswork^t³⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-1| J: L P Dempsey| T: G Elliott| OR: 125| D

22/1

Third of 13 runners in this contest 12 months ago. Lightly raced but never a threat in a couple of starts since including when pulling up at Warwick last month. Hard to make a case for.

Form: 21F30-P

Non-Runners

Court Maid¹⁷

Weight: 10-1| Age: 7

T: T Mullins J: Reserve 1

Dom Dolo⁶⁶

Weight: 10-1| Age: 7

T: K H Clarke J: Reserve 2

Clondaw Native³²

Weight: 9-13| Age: 8

T: G Elliott J: Reserve 3

Forecasts

Royal Thief (7/2), High Sparrow (4/1), A Great View (11/2), Mary Frances (9/1), Relegate (10/1), Bothar Dubh (10/1), Solomn Grundy (12/1), Argumental (12/1), Doctor Duffy (16/1), Flawless Escape (16/1), Clondaw Native (16/1), Thermistocles (20/1), Jury Duty (20/1), Court Maid (20/1), Dom Dolo (20/1), Its All Guesswork (22/1), Scoir Mear (25/1), Cartwright (25/1), Blast Of Koeman (33/1)

The Joseph O'Brien-trained HIGH SPARROW finished behind some decent types behind in the shape of the winner, Treacysenniscorthy, The Jam Man, Column Of Fire and Tout Est Permis in a 51K contest at Fairyhouse earlier this month with more fancied Morosini, Cabaret Queen and Gardens Of Babylon well in rear. The seven-year-old can win for the third time over hurdles with Royal Thief in first time cheekpieces emerging as the biggest danger. C&D winner A Great View is capable of bouncing back to form last seasons champion bumper winner at the Cheltenham festival Relegate could also come into the mix. It's All Guesswork, third of 13 in this contest 12 months ago could go well.