13:55 Kelso

Friday 16 February 2024

All13:5514:2514:5515:2516:0016:3217:02

Full Circle Series At Punchestown Festival Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 13:55 | Winning time: 6m 15.4s

Didtheyleaveuoutto^p⁹⁷

Age: 11| Weight: 12-0| J: R P McLernon| T: B Haslam| OR: 120

33/1

Ended long losing run over hurdles at Cartmel (22.1f) in July but hasn't really threatened since, although he's best excused his latest effort (unsuited by way race developed).

Form: 816F57

Dallas Des Pictons¹²⁰

Age: 11| Weight: 11-13| J: Henry Brooke| T: Mrs Dianne Sayer| OR: 119

80/1

Useful hurdler/chaser at his best and, having dropped to a career-low mark, caused a surprise when getting back to winning ways in this sphere at Hexham (20.1f) in September. However, he's been well below that level in both starts since.

Form: P-5P14P

Step Above^t,v1⁴⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 115

9/1

Winning Irish pointer who made a successful hurdles debut at Ayr last season. Hasn't really progressed over fences this term but returns to smaller obstacles on a workable mark. Visor on first time.

Form: 1/12-32P

Grand Voyage⁶⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: Sam Coltherd| T: W Coltherd| OR: 114| CD

9/1

Been out of form this season and produced a laboured effort over hurdles at Ayr last time.

Form: 432-67P

Nab Wood³³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Sean Quinlan| T: N G Richards| OR: 114| CD

7/4

Lightly-raced gelding who got off the mark in 10-runner novice hurdle over C&D (heavy) 33 days ago, hard held. Likely more to come on handicap debut and is not taken lightly.

Form: 6721

Pavlik⁶⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: A M Thomson| OR: 106| C

7/1

Course winner (20.9f) in November 2022 but showed little on first start since in handicap hurdle at Ayr 67 days ago. Bit to prove now.

Form: 4/F261-9

Eloi Du Puy²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Bruce Lynn⁽³⁾| T: N W Alexander| OR: 106| C

5/2

Has improved since switched to handicaps, completing a hat-trick (at up to 20.9f) when seeing off 7 rivals at Carlisle in December. Still in contention when brought down late on Sandown since and must enter calculations.

Form: 3-3111B

Maimie's Magic^t1⁶⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-9| J: J J Slevin| T: S R B Crawford| OR: 101| BF| C

15/2

Twice a winner (including at this course) last term and wasn't seen to best effect when eighth of 15 in handicap hurdle at Naas (16f, soft) latest. This longer trip should suit and she must be taken seriously. Tongue strap on first time.

Form: 1662-58

Non-Runners

Sam's Choice¹⁴

Weight: 12-0| Age: 8

T: R Menzies J: Non Runner

Immortal Fame⁵⁶

Weight: 11-10| Age: 8

T: T Lacey J: Stan Sheppard

Forecasts

Nab Wood (7/4), Eloi Du Puy (5/2), Immortal Fame (11/4), Pavlik (7/1), Maimie's Magic (15/2), Step Above (9/1), Grand Voyage (9/1), Sam's Choice (14/1), Didtheyleaveuoutto (33/1), Dallas Des Pictons (80/1)

Plenty with claims here including ELOI DU PUY, who has really upped his game this season and was still in the firing line when brought down at Sandown last month. He gets the nod. Immortal Fame and Nab Wood rate the principal dangers.