13:45 Punchestown

Sunday 16 January 2022

All12:1512:4513:1513:4514:2014:5015:2015:50

Punchestown Gift Vouchers Mares Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 13:51 | Winning time: 5m 40.1s

Joeswayornoway¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Shane Fenelon⁽⁷⁾| T: E Sheehy| OR: 112

20/1

Respectable fifth of 9 in minor event hurdle at Fairyhouse (18.7f, soft, 8/1) 15 days ago. Not without hope back in handicap company.

Form: 2527F5

Robyndeglory²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: D L Queally| T: D Queally| OR: 112| D

8/1

Won twice in the autumn and progressed further when runner-up at Tramore (16.2f) in December. Out of her depth in Limerick Grade 2 last time but could get back on track now returning to calmer waters.

Form: 271127

Lugg River^p³⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| OR: 109

4/1

13/2, first run since leaving Tom Symonds when creditable fourth of 14 in maiden hurdle at Tramore (21f, heavy) 38 days ago. More needed now back in handicap company, though.

Form: 6434-24

Kingston Retreat⁵⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Danny Mullins| T: S O O'Brien| OR: 108| D

5/1

Winner in hurdle at Downpatrick in October. Respectable twelfth of 19 in handicap hurdle (10/1) at Fairyhouse (20f, good) 50 days ago. Has since left James M. Barcoe.

Form: 814430

Cute Cherry^p1²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 107

20/1

Showed improved form to get off the mark at Clonmel in October. Shaped a bit better than being pulled up suggests in 2½m Limerick handicap next time. Cheekpieces now go on.

Form: 86661P

Farrawaybay^t¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: B J Cooper| T: M A Molloy| OR: 106| D

4/1

Improved further and resumed winning ways at Navan in November. Ran at least as well in defeat at Punchestown next time and was unlucky not to finish closer. Remains open to further improvement.

Form: 612216

Must Be Obeyed³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Darragh O'Keeffe| T: T Gibney| OR: 106

12/1

Lightly-raced winner under NH rules who possibly needed the run after 6 months off when well held in maiden hurdle at Naas (15.8f, soft) 31 days ago. Significantly up in trip for handicap debut.

Form: 83-140

Breezy Bell^t³⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: C D Timmons⁽³⁾| T: E Cawley| OR: 103

16/1

Showed some improvement to take advantage of a slipping mark in 15-runner handicap hurdle at Fairyhouse (16f, soft) 36 days ago, easily. Should continue in form if seeing out this longer trip.

Form: 60-0761

Paddy Wickla^t⁴²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: J P O'Sullivan⁽⁵⁾| T: P J Rothwell| OR: 101

13/2

Winner at Clonmel in September and progressed further under a different conditional when neck second of 13 in handicap hurdle at this course (19.4f) 42 days ago. Has to be on the shortlist.

Form: 012432

Saucy Yeats¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: Sean Flanagan| T: M Hassett| OR: 95

40/1

12/1, failed to come on for recent run when fifth of 14 in handicap hurdle at Tramore (16f, heavy) 15 days ago. Significantly up in trip.

Form: 03-5F55

Elusive Touch^t⁸⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-7| J: J J Slevin| T: M Brassil| OR: 93

8/1

Showed a bit in a brace of bumpers but has been well held all 3 starts over hurdles. Goes handicapping now up in trip and a lot more required.

Form: 234856

September Lady^t¹⁰⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-6| J: Mike O'Connor⁽⁵⁾| T: C W J Farrell| OR: 92

66/1

Bumper winner who has shown little over hurdles to this point. Easily passed over.

Form: 4-19980

Frazel Express¹⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 9-12| J: Kieran Callaghan⁽⁷⁾| T: J Barcoe| OR: 81

50/1

22/1, offered little on first run since leaving Aidan Anthony Howard when eleventh of 14 in handicap hurdle at Naas (19f, soft) 14 days ago.

Form: 467200

Non-Runners

Family Business²⁸

Weight: 11-12| Age: 8

T: D Coffey J: J B Foley

Forecasts

Lugg River (4/1), Farrawaybay (4/1), Kingston Retreat (5/1), Paddy Wickla (13/2), Family Business (7/1), Robyndeglory (8/1), Elusive Touch (8/1), Must Be Obeyed (12/1), Breezy Bell (16/1), Cute Cherry (20/1), Joeswayornoway (20/1), Saucy Yeats (40/1), Frazel Express (50/1), September Lady (66/1)

FARRAWAYBAY boasts a progressive profile and, having been unlucky not to finish much closer in a well-contested event at Leopardstown over the Christmas period, she has to remain of firm interest. Paddy Wickla is another to take seriously following an improved effort at this venue last month, while others to consider are Robyndeglory and Breezy Bell.