16:55 Punchestown

Wednesday 24 February 2021

All14:1014:4515:2015:5516:2516:5517:25

Punchestown Handicap Hurdle (80-95)

4YO plus | 2m 4f | 17 Runners | Turf

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: B Browne⁽³⁾| T: O McKiernan| OR: 95

Lightly-raced maiden. 11/2 and tongue strap on for 1st time, excellent third of 15 in novice hurdle at Limerick (19f, heavy) 57 days ago. One to consider on handicap debut.

Form: 22-7683

Electricitywork¹¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: J S McGarvey| T: Gary McGill| OR: 93

28/1, good second of 18 in handicap hurdle at Down Royal (24f, soft) 117 days ago. Could go well again if fully tuned up after a break.

Form: 9-0P372

Rocconrockall^b1,t²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: T Ryan⁽⁵⁾| T: E J O'Grady| OR: 93

28/1, creditable sixth of 20 in handicap hurdle at Navan (20f, heavy) 26 days ago. Application of blinkers need to put an extra edge on him given he never shaped like a winner in waiting latest.

Form: 0-00586

Clonbury Bridge⁵⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: R M Power| T: J P Dempsey| OR: 93

Lightly-raced maiden. Not disgraced when sixth of 15 in novice hurdle at Limerick (19f, heavy, 11/2) 57 days ago, ridden more positively and jumping better than previously. Considered on handicap bow.

Form: 0456

Royal Rhythm⁴³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: J P O'Sullivan⁽⁷⁾| T: P J Rothwell| OR: 93

Lightly-raced maiden. 12/1, creditable 7¼ lengths third of 16 to Hilltop Supreme in handicap hurdle at Fairyhouse (20f, heavy) 43 days ago. Each-way possibilities again.

Form: 2-9043

Boss Girl⁷²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: D J Hand⁽⁷⁾| T: W J Austin| OR: 90

Lightly-raced maiden. Tenth of 16 in novice hurdle (12/1) at Naas (19f, heavy) 72 days ago. Makes handicap hurdle debut.

Form: 00560

Hilltop Supreme²⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-9| J: K J Brouder| T: D E Fitzgerald| OR: 90| D

Winner in hurdle at Fairyhouse in January. 4/1, brought down early in handicap chase at Down Royal (20f, heavy) 20 days ago. Switches from chase to hurdles. Best treated as still in form.

Form: F8461B

Citizen's Army¹²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: M J M O'Sullivan⁽⁷⁾| T: E M O'Sullivan| OR: 89

Lightly-raced maiden under NH rules. Seventh of 11 in minor event hurdle (150/1) at Wexford (20f, soft) 121 days ago. Needs to step up to figure making handicap debut.

Form: 99797

Four Horsemen⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: E Walsh⁽⁵⁾| T: T J Nagle-Jr| OR: 86

Lightly-raced maiden. 14/1, excellent third of 15 in handicap hurdle at Thurles (23f, heavy) 9 days ago, suited by increase in trip. Looks competitive on form.

Form: 5/09-083

Grey Habit^p¹⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 11-5| J: T N Brett⁽⁷⁾| T: P Meany| OR: 86| D

33/1, creditable third of 13 in handicap hurdle at Fairyhouse (23.5f, heavy) 16 days ago, mistake last but noted staying on. She's another holding an each-way chance with a repeat.

Form: 79P1-P3

You No Me Too Well^t1³³⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Shane O'Callaghan⁽⁷⁾| T: R K Watson| OR: 85

Thrice-raced maiden. 200/1, fourteenth of 15 in novice hurdle at Downpatrick (18.8f, good to soft). Off 11 months. Tongue strap on for 1st time. Makes handicap hurdle debut.

Form: 000-

Tangental⁹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: J J Slevin| T: M Butler| OR: 86

Lightly-raced maiden. 40/1, thirteenth of 14 in handicap hurdle at Limerick (21f, heavy) 99 days ago.

Form: F0080

Keenaghan Lass⁸⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Mr T P Harney⁽⁷⁾| T: T F Shaw| OR: 83

Court Cave mare who offered minor promise in a trio of maiden hurdles spread over 6 months earlier in career. Off the mark in points subsequently latest (Dec 6). Market should guide on handicap bow.

Form: 7/0P4-F1

Chelseas Friend⁷³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: J J Mangan| OR: 80

Limited impact in bumpers/over hurdles during 2019/20 season. Pulled up at Tipperary in August but successful between the Flags since, third latest (Dec 13). Not one wto write off.

Form: 889-P13

Western Line^h,t⁷⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Reserve 1| T: E Cawley| OR: 88

9/2, bit below form seventh of 17 in handicap hurdle at this course (16.4f, heavy) 75 days ago. Up in trip. Reserve 1.

Form: 650-357

Second Symphony⁵²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: Reserve 2| T: C A McBratney| OR: 80

Pulled up in handicap hurdle (100/1) at Fairyhouse (24.5f, heavy) 52 days ago, slow 4 out weakening soon after next. Needs to step up considerably to play a part here. Reserve 2.

Form: 090-B0P

Magic Piper⁴³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Reserve 3| T: T Gibney| OR: 93

15/2, creditable 10¼ lengths sixth of 16 to Hilltop Supreme in handicap hurdle at Fairyhouse (20f, heavy) 43 days ago. May benefit from a return to 2m. Reserve 3.

Form: 9-09766

Forecasts

Hilltop Supreme (9/2), Clonbury Bridge (5/1), Four Horsemen (6/1), Royal Rhythm (6/1), Junior Rattler (13/2), Electricitywork (7/1), Grey Habit (7/1), Rocconrockall (8/1), Boss Girl (16/1), Keenaghan Lass (16/1), Western Line (25/1), You No Me Too Well (25/1), Second Symphony (25/1), Chelseas Friend (25/1), Citizen's Army (25/1), Magic Piper (33/1), Tangental (50/1)

A tricky big-field affair. with the narrow vote in favour of JUNIOR RATTLER. He showed more than previously when third in a 19f novice at Limerick in December and he may well have more to offer now his sights are set on handicaps. Clonbury Bridge is of a similar ilk and feared, along with Electricitywork and Hilltop Supreme.