15:07 Punchestown

Monday 30 January 2023

All12:4713:2213:5714:3215:0715:4216:17

Bar One Racing 'Ante Post Betting At Cheltenham' Rated Novice Hurdle

Off time: 15:07 | Winning time: 5m 27.09s

Sa Fureur¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr R James⁽⁷⁾| T: G Elliott| C

9/4

Lightly-raced winner under Rules. Career best when winning 22-runner maiden hurdle at this course (16f, heavy, 3/1) 15 days ago, responding well. Likely to benefit from this step up in trip and he's high on the shortlist.

Form: 3-421

Starzov²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: P J O'Hanlon⁽⁵⁾| T: P J Rothwell| OR: 122

12/1

Fairly useful hurdler. 9/2, career best when winning 6-runner minor event hurdle at Cork (16f, heavy) 23 days ago, suited by emphasis on stamina. More needed back up in trip here.

Form: 1580F1

La Malmason⁴²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Keith Donoghue| T: G P Cromwell| D

7/2

Twice-raced winner over hurdles. 11/1, well-beaten fifth of 7 to Saylavee in listed hurdle at this course (19.4f, soft) 42 days ago. This is a less taxing assignment but others make more appeal all the same.

Form: 15

Changing The Rules³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: J S McGarvey| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 116| BF

6/1

Fairly useful hurdler. 7/2, bit below form fourth of 14 in handicap hurdle at Leopardstown (16f, soft) 35 days ago, unsuited by drop in trip. Back up in trip and couldn't rule out.

Form: 455-544

Elusive Guy²³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Peter Smithers⁽⁷⁾| T: J P Fahey| OR: 113

66/1

Fair hurdler. Winner at Limerick in November. 10/1, well-beaten last of 6 to Starzov in minor event hurdle at Cork (16f, heavy) 23 days ago. Back up in trip and plenty to find on form.

Form: 0481U6

Hartur D'arc²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Darragh O'Keeffe| T: T Gibney

10/1

Lightly-raced winner under Rules. 8/1, below form eighth of 21 in minor event hurdle at Fairyhouse (20.1f, heavy) 29 days ago. Can give a good account without posing serious threat to principals.

Form: 161-308

Meetingofthewaters⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: M J M O'Sullivan⁽⁵⁾| T: E M O'Sullivan| OR: 112| D

11/1

Fairly useful hurdler. Latest win at Cork in December. Third of 5 in minor event hurdle at Thurles (23f, soft, 20/1) 8 days ago. Likely to find one or two too good.

Form: 538133

Nephin Beg⁵⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Jordan Gainford| T: S Doyle| OR: 107| D

20/1

Lightly-raced winner over hurdles. 33/1, career best when winning 24-runner handicap hurdle at Cork (20f, soft) 50 days ago, just holding on. Improvement needed if he's to follow up here on these terms but this 5-y-o is at least unexposed.

Form: 4761

Time Marches On^b1³³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Kieren Buckley⁽⁵⁾| T: J Motherway| OR: 115

9/2

Fairly useful hurdler. 11/2, creditable third of 18 in handicap hurdle at Limerick (24f, heavy) 33 days ago, running on. Still seeking first taste of success but definite chance back in novice company if the first-time blinkers have the desired effect.

Form: 635263

Forecasts

Sa Fureur (9/4), La Malmason (7/2), Time Marches On (9/2), Changing The Rules (6/1), Hartur D'arc (10/1), Meetingofthewaters (11/1), Starzov (12/1), Nephin Beg (20/1), Elusive Guy (66/1)

There was much to like about the way SA FUREUR went about his business when landing a big-field maiden here recently and, with improvement likely now faced with a stiffer test, he could be the answer. Time Marches On is still a maiden but he has more good efforts than bad ones on his CV and should have a major role to play, while Changing The Rules and the unexposed Nephin Beg are also of interest.