19:10 Punchestown

Friday 28 April 2023

All15:4016:1516:5017:2518:0018:3519:1019:45

SalesSense International Novice Hurdle

Off time: 19:12 | Winning time: 3m 57.8s

Arctic Bresil^t1¹¹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead

13/2

Impressive when making winning hurdling debut at Cork in December. However, ran no sort of race when pulled up in Tolworth Novices' Hurdle at Sandown (2m, soft, 9/2) 111 days ago. Tongue strap on 1st time.

Form: U2-1P

Firm Footings⁴²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Danny Gilligan⁽⁷⁾| T: G Elliott| OR: 130| D

17/2

Bumper winner at the second attempt who knuckled down well to break his duck over hurdles in 16-runner maiden at Navan (2m). Cracking effort in the Martin Pipe at Cheltenham (20.2f, good to soft) 42 days ago. Back down in trip. One to consider.

Form: 123316

Heliko Conti¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Darragh O'Keeffe| T: W J Burke| OR: 114| D

66/1

Fairly useful hurdler. Good seventh of 14 in handicap hurdle at Cork (19f, good to soft, 11/1) 19 days ago. This looks too tough.

Form: 651-817

Monbeg Park²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: J J Slevin| T: S Doyle| OR: 137| C

15/8

Useful hurdler. Course winner. 8/1, second of 16 in handicap hurdle at Fairyhouse (16.4f, soft) 20 days ago (first past the post but subsequently disqualified). Will take the beating back in grade.

Form: 213P2D

Sa Majeste³⁴¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Brian Hayes| T: W P Mullins

13/8

Fairly useful form over hurdles. 11/1, won 17-runner 4-y-o event at Auteuil last time by 1¼ lengths from Iceberg du Large. Should improve and obvious appeal starting out for new connections.

Form: 3-1

Spillane's Tower¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: L P Dempsey| T: J J Mangan| OR: 126

16/1

Winner in hurdle at Naas in February. 11/4, unseated rider very early in handicap hurdle at Cork (19f, good to soft) 19 days ago. Luckless there and remains with potential.

Form: 5-21U

Uncle Phil^h,t¹⁶⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| D

14/1

Fair hurdler. Hooded for 1st time, below form third of 6 in minor event hurdle at this course (16.1f, good to soft, 7/2) 160 days ago, finishing tired. Uphill task.

Form: 2121P3

Lahinch Three⁵⁵⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Donagh Meyler| T: E Mullins| D

66/1

9/2 and tongue strap on for 1st time, creditable second of 10 in bumper at Cork (19f, good) when last seen. Off 18 months. Switches from bumpers to hurdles. May well do better.

Form: 13332-

Night Sparkle²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-4| J: Danny Mullins| T: M O'Callaghan

18/1

Fairly useful Flat winner. 13/2, first run since leaving Simon & Ed Crisford when third of 23 in juvenile hurdle at Naas (16.3f, soft) on NH debut 29 days ago. Can improve.

Form: 3

Forecasts

Sa Majeste (13/8), Monbeg Park (15/8), Arctic Bresil (13/2), Firm Footings (17/2), Uncle Phil (14/1), Spillane's Tower (16/1), Night Sparkle (18/1), Lahinch Three (66/1), Heliko Conti (66/1)

MONBEG PARK was much improved at Fairyhouse 3 weeks ago only to lose the race in the stewards' room. He can gain compensation back at the scene of his November success. Sa Majeste starting out for Willie Mullins and Firm Footings, who ran a blinder in the Martin Pipe, are among the chief dangers.