14:40 Punchestown

Sunday 19 February 2023

All13:1013:4014:1014:4015:1015:4516:2016:55

Apple's Jade Mares Novice Hurdle (Listed)

Off time: 14:42 | Winning time: 5m 31.1s

Harmonya Maker⁴⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: Jordan Gainford| T: G Elliott| OR: 133| C

2/1

Made it 2 wins from 3 starts over hurdles when successful in 5-runner mares event (5/4) at Fairyhouse (18.3f, heavy) 49 days ago, making all. Not taken lightly with step up in trip to suit.

Form: 174-131

Eabha Grace³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| CD

3/1

1/10, completed simple task when winning 9-runner mares maiden hurdle at this course (20.6f, heavy) 34 days ago, unchallenged. Can continue her progress to score again.

Form: 268-321

Hauturiere²⁵

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

5/1

11/10, showed improved form when winning 14-runner mares maiden hurdle at Fairyhouse (19.5f, heavy) 25 days ago. Could find more again upped in trip.

Form: 2/225-21

Kilbree Warrior^b,t²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-11| J: Richard Condon| T: O McKiernan| OR: 109

40/1

Won maiden hurdle at Fairyhouse in December. 10/1, not discredited when second of 5 in novice hurdle at Thurles (23f, soft) 28 days ago, no match for winner. Faces a tough ask.

Form: 342172

Ottizzini²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: Sam Ewing| T: S R B Crawford

33/1

Lightly-raced maiden under NH rules. Has run to a fair level both starts in maiden hurdles, third of 9 in mares event at this course (20.3f, heavy) 20 days ago. Looks to be up against it.

Form: 363-43

Rioga Choice¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 121

9/1

Won maiden hurdle at Roscommon in August. 12/1, hampered and unseated rider at the fifth in handicap hurdle at Leopardstown (17.7f, good to soft) 14 days ago. Could still have more to offer.

Form: 43-814U

Shecouldbeanything³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: D F O'Regan| T: G Elliott

7/1

Unsuited by drop in trip when 14½ lengths third of 5 to Impaire Et Passe in Moscow Flyer Novices' Hurdle (11/2) at this course (2m, heavy) 35 days ago. Remains capable of better upped in distance.

Form: 1-113

Whatcouldhavebeen²²

Age: 5| Weight: 10-11| J: Aidan Kelly| T: J P Fahey

7/1

Won mares maiden hurdle at Fairyhouse in January. 40/1, improved again when 2½ lengths fourth of 6 to Ashroe Diamond in Solerina Mares Novices' Hurdle at Fairyhouse (18.5f, soft) 22 days ago.

Form: 6314

Non-Runners

Henning¹¹

Weight: 11-1| Age: 6

T: D Hogan J: D King

Forecasts

Harmonya Maker (2/1), Eabha Grace (3/1), Hauturiere (5/1), Shecouldbeanything (7/1), Whatcouldhavebeen (7/1), Rioga Choice (9/1), Henning (20/1), Ottizzini (33/1), Kilbree Warrior (40/1)

EABHA GRACE has been going the right way in a trio of starts in maiden hurdles, completing a simple task with the minimum of fuss at this course last time, and she can take this step up in grade in her stride. The Wille Mullins-trained mare can see off the challenge of Harmonya Maker, who should be suited by this longer trip, while Shecouldbeanything is also respected.