16:50 Punchestown

Saturday 4 May 2024

All14:3015:0515:4216:1516:5017:2518:0018:30

Ballymore Champion Four Year Old Hurdle (Grade 1)

Off time: 16:51 | Winning time: 4m 5.70s

Batman Girac^h,t³³

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: M J M O'Sullivan| T: W P Mullins| OR: 130| D

40/1

Useful hurdler. 9/1, 15 lengths fifth of 8 to Bottler'secret in Percy Maynard Juvenile Hurdle at Fairyhouse (16f, heavy) 33 days ago. Looks vulnerable once again.

Form: 61-7405

Bottler'secret^p³³

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Sean Flanagan| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 143| D

5/2

Quickly developed into a useful Flat performer for Ciaran Murphy in the autumn and comfortably got off the mark on his yard/hurdles debut in a Grade 3 at Naas in February. Produced a near-smart performance in first-time cheekpieces when following up at Fairyhouse and rates an exciting prospect.

Form: 11

Bunting⁵⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Sean O'Keeffe| T: W P Mullins| OR: 137| D

9/1

Ran below the level of form he showed in the Spring Juvenile when 20¾ lengths seventh of 12 to Majborough in Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham (16.8f, heavy) 50 days ago.

Form: 147

Eastern Legend^p,t⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Jordan Gainford| T: J S Bolger

66/1

Useful on Flat and shaped better than distance beaten suggests when a tailed-off last in Percy Maynard Juvenile Hurdle at Fairyhouse on hurdling debut, weakening only between last 2. Open to improvement but this is a huge ask.

Form: 8

Highwind⁵⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Mark Walsh| T: W P Mullins| OR: 128| CD

28/1

Fairly useful on the Flat (stays 1½m) for Christopher Head and created a good impression sent hurdling for new connections after 9 months off when scoring over C&D in January. However, was well held in the Triumph last time and looks up against it once more.

Form: 189

Karl Des Tourelles³³

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Brian Hayes| T: P Fenton| OR: 134| D

28/1

Bettered his hurdling debut form at the second attempt when runner-up in Percy Maynard Juvenile Hurdle at Fairyhouse (16f, heavy) 33 days ago. This demands another chunk of improvement, though.

Form: 122

Nurburgring^p1,t⁵⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: J J Slevin| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 136| D

5/1

Dual winner over hurdles who was better than the result when 13¾ lengths fourth of 12 to Majborough in Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham (16.8f, heavy) 50 days ago, poorly placed. Cheekpieces on for 1st time and needs considering.

Form: 12134

Storm Heart⁵⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Danny Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 138| BF| C

5/1

Ran below his previous form when 14¾ lengths fifth of 12 to Majborough in Triumph Hurdle (7/2) at Cheltenham (16.8f, heavy) 50 days ago. Each-way claims if bouncing back.

Form: 125

Kargese^h²³

Age: 4| Weight: 10-7| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 137| D

9/4

Useful hurdler who ran to a similar level as in the Triumph Hurdle when second of 5 to Sir Gino in Anniversary Hurdle at Aintree (17f, soft) 23 days ago, typically taking a strong hold. Big chance with a repeat.

Form: 2-12122

Miss Manzor³³

Age: 4| Weight: 10-7| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: W P Mullins| OR: 127| BF| D

18/1

Useful hurdler. 3/1, creditable 4½ lengths third of 8 to Bottler'secret in Percy Maynard Juvenile Hurdle at Fairyhouse (16f, heavy) 33 days ago, clear of rest. Trainer going well but it is hard to see her reversing the form with that rival.

Form: 17153

Forecasts

Kargese (9/4), Bottler'secret (5/2), Nurburgring (5/1), Storm Heart (5/1), Bunting (9/1), Miss Manzor (18/1), Karl Des Tourelles (28/1), Highwind (28/1), Batman Girac (40/1), Eastern Legend (66/1)

KARGESE backed up her effort in the Triumph Hurdle when runner-up to Sir Gino at Aintree and, providing she can settle a little better than usual, she's fancied to notch a second win at the top level. Bottler'secret is an obvious threat following his Grade 2 success at Fairyhouse, while Nurburgring shouldn't be taken lightly having been left poorly placed at Cheltenham.