17:20 Punchestown

Wednesday 27 April 2022

All15:4016:1516:4517:2017:5518:3019:0519:45

Irish Mirror Novice Hurdle (Grade 1)

Off time: 17:21 | Winning time: 6m 9.60s

Bardenstown Lad^p1⁴⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Brian Hayes| T: J C McConnell| OR: 142| D

16/1

Useful hurdler who ran well upped in grade when 9¼ lengths third of 16 to The Nice Guy in Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle (Spa) at Cheltenham (24f, good to soft) 40 days ago. Cheekpieces on for 1st time.

Form: 113113

Bronn²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: D A Jacob| T: W P Mullins| OR: 137

20/1

Improved when resuming winning ways in 7-runner Easter Festival Novices' Hurdle at Fairyhouse (20f, good to soft, 6/1) 24 days ago by ½ length from Churchstonewarrior, all out. This is tougher but he may still have a bit more to offer.

Form: 1-1521

Daily Present⁴⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Sean O'Keeffe| T: P Nolan| OR: 133| D

28/1

Point winner who made it 2-3 under Rules with victory in 6-runner novice hurdle (7/4) at Navan (22.4f, heavy) 46 days ago, by 1¼ lengths from Bronn, responding well. Worth a shot at this level.

Form: 1-211

Good Time Jonny^t⁴⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Kevin Sexton| T: A J Martin| OR: 139| D

40/1

Ran out a comprehensive winner of a 3m Leopardstown handicap in February but was well beaten stepped up to Grade 1 company in the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle (Spa) at the Cheltenham Festival last time. Looks up against it again.

Form: 316119

Hollow Games^t⁴⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| OR: 142| C| D

10/1

Useful hurdler. Tongue strap on for 1st time, good third of 23 in handicap hurdle at Cheltenham (20.2f, good to soft, 9/2) 40 days ago, barely adequate test. Not dismissed back in graded company.

Form: 1-11333

Journey With Me⁴²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 145| D

9/1

Won first 3 starts under Rules and was in the process of running well falling last in Ballymore Novices' Hurdle (Baring Bingham) (5/1) at Cheltenham (21f, soft) 42 days ago, would have been placed. Not taken lightly up in trip.

Form: 11-11F

Meet And Greet⁵⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: B Browne| T: O McKiernan| OR: 138

33/1

Useful hurdler. Good 2½ lengths second of 5 to Flame Bearer in Johnstown Novices' Hurdle (10/3) at Naas (15.5f, soft) 59 days ago. Significantly up in trip. Should improve further.

Form: 158-312

Minella Cocooner^h⁴⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Danny Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 147

9/2

Smart hurdler who posted excellent second of 16 to The Nice Guy in Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle (Spa) at Cheltenham (24f, good to soft) 40 days ago, making effort earlier than ideal. Open to further improvement.

Form: 2-12112

Minella Crooner⁸¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 142| CD

4/1

Very good 2¾ lengths second of 7 to Minella Cocooner in Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors Novices' Hurdle at Leopardstown (22.2f, good to soft, 10/3) 81 days ago, keeping on well. Open to further improvement.

Form: 1-11212

Ramillies^t⁴⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: B J Cooper| T: W P Mullins| OR: 138| C| D

20/1

Useful hurdler who didn't quite get home upped in trip when 20¼ lengths sixth of 16 to The Nice Guy in Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle (Spa) at Cheltenham (24f, good to soft) 40 days ago, weakening run-in.

Form: 586-316

The Nice Guy⁴⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 153| D

15/8

Showed much improved form upped markedly in trip when winning 16-runner Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle (Spa) at Cheltenham (24f, good to soft) 40 days ago, by 5 lengths from Minella Cocooner. Type to improve further and leading claims.

Form: 1111

Forecasts

The Nice Guy (15/8), Minella Crooner (4/1), Minella Cocooner (9/2), Journey With Me (9/1), Hollow Games (10/1), Bardenstown Lad (16/1), Bronn (20/1), Ramillies (20/1), Daily Present (28/1), Meet And Greet (33/1), Good Time Jonny (40/1)

MINELLA COCOONER shaped really well when runner-up to stablemate The Nice Guy in the Albert Bartlett at the Cheltenham Festival, arguably making his effort earlier than ideal, which provides plenty of hope that he can reverse the form. Minella Crooner and Journey With Me are others to view positively in a good renewal of this Grade 1.