16:15 Punchestown

Wednesday 1 May 2024

All14:3015:0515:4016:1516:5017:2518:0018:35

Channor Real Estate Group Novice Hurdle (Grade 1)

Off time: 16:15 | Winning time: 6m 6.90s

Backmersackme³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Donagh Meyler| T: E Mullins| D

16/1

8/15, won 12-runner bumper at Cork (19f, heavy) on NH debut 30 days ago. Clearly has plenty of talent but this is a tricky assignment on hurdling debut.

Form: 4-11

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Better Days Ahead^t⁴⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Danny Gilligan| T: G Elliott| OR: 145| D

9/2

Smart hurdler. 5/1, career best when winning 21-runner Martin Pipe at Cheltenham (20.2f, heavy) 47 days ago, staying on strongly. Can improve further and leading claims.

Form: 0-F1421

Dancing City¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 150| D

7/4

Smart hurdler. Career best when winning 8-runner Sefton Novices' Hurdle (4/1) at Aintree (24.7f, soft) 19 days ago by 5½ lengths from The Jukebox Man. Capable of reversing the Albert Bartlett form with old rival Stellar Story.

Form: 2-51131

High Class Hero⁴⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Sean O'Keeffe| T: W P Mullins| OR: 142| D

9/1

Useful hurdler. Pulled up in Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle (Spa) (10/1) at Cheltenham (24f, heavy) 47 days ago won by Stellar Story. Impressive on penultimate outing and not one to write off completely.

Form: 11111P

Lecky Watson^h⁴⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Danny Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 143

5/1

Useful hurdler. Hooded for 1st time, good 8 lengths fifth of 13 to Stellar Story in Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle (Spa) (16/1) at Cheltenham (24f, heavy) 47 days ago, not ideally placed. Not ruled out.

Form: 45-1235

Stellar Story^p⁴⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 149| D

10/3

Smart hurdler. Career best when winning 13-runner Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle (Spa) at Cheltenham (24f, heavy, 33/1) 47 days ago by head from The Jukebox Man, suited by emphasis on stamina. Major player.

Form: 1-13241

Cuta Des As³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Brian Hayes| T: W P Mullins| C| D

50/1

Latest win in hurdle here in February. Pulled up in Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Novices' Hurdle Championship Final (16/1) at Fairyhouse (20f, heavy) 31 days ago won by Jade De Grugy. Easy to look elsewhere.

Form: 1/133-1P

Non-Runners

An Tobar⁸⁷

Weight: 11-10| Age: 7

T: H De Bromhead J: Rachael Blackmore

Forecasts

Dancing City (7/4), Stellar Story (10/3), Better Days Ahead (9/2), Lecky Watson (5/1), High Class Hero (9/1), Backmersackme (16/1), An Tobar (20/1), Cuta Des As (50/1)

DANCING CITY was most impressive at Aintree and, although behind Stellar Story in the Albert Bartlett on his penultimate outing, he's capable of reversing the form with that rival under more suitable conditions. Better Days Ahead is another definite player on the back of success in the Martin Pipe at Cheltenham.