14:40 Punchestown

Tuesday 15 September 2026

All13:4014:1014:4015:1015:4016:1016:4017:13

Punchestown Jumps Opener October 13th Handicap

Off time: 14:42 | Winning time: 1m 43.28s

(6)

Molto Amichi²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-0| J: Luke McAteer| T: E Griffin| OR: 80| BF| D

9/1

Confirmed the promise of his previous run when landing a gamble at Killarney in July. Very much had the run of the race that day and 8 lb rise proved beyond him at Galway. This is an easier race on the back of a modest hurdles effort.

Form: 53-9219

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

(7)

Follow Me^v³¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-11| J: Billy Lee| T: R O'Sullivan| OR: 77

13/2

Useful form when winning first 2 starts in 2024. Hasn't been at that level since but has shaped with a bit more encouragement of late, ridden more prominently when third both starts this summer, collared only close home at Dundalk. One to consider back down in trip.

Form: 04-9833

(16)

Frank Pickle¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: Gary Carroll| T: Mrs D Foster| OR: 76| D

11/1

Better than ever when winning 13-runner handicap at Leopardstown (1m) in July. Failed to repeat that effort from a 7 lb higher mark at Gowran, though a bit more like it when third to Sonoran at Navan 2 weeks ago given he was briefly short of room.

Form: 0-45187

(11)

Spodo Komodo²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: J M Sheridan| T: J Feane| OR: 75

11/1

Off the mark at the Curragh (6f) on fourth and final start last year. Stepped forward from this season's reappearance when second of 8 in 7f handicap at Naas but disappointing on both outings subsequently. Hopes pinned on step back up in distance.

Form: 31-0200

(14)

Amenita^p1⁴⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: Chris Hayes| T: D K Weld| OR: 79| D

28/1

Left debut behind to win maiden at Gowran on return in June but not in same form back on softer going when well held on handicap bow at the Galway Festival 7 weeks ago. Cheekpieces on and while she's unexposed, she needs to raise her game to defy this mark.

Form: 6-19

(4)

Flash Of Fire⁹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: Ben Coen| T: J P Murtagh| OR: 79

11/1

Beat a subsequent winner on debut at Doncaster last summer. Better form in defeat when shaping up well up against a useful one in a match race at Yarmouth in October. May have just needed the run at Sandown in June on final start for James Ferguson and has made the switch to successful Irish yard.

Form: 142-7

(12)

Heliogabalus⁴⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: Scott McCullagh| T: S Byrne| OR: 72| D

33/1

Resumed from 9 months off with success in 16-runner handicap over 1m at Leopardstown in June. Seemed anchored by 6 lb rise over the same C&D a month later and with cheekpieces back on, he made little impression at Galway last time.

Form: 100-160

(5)

Motta Alta⁵⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: Shane Foley| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 77

7/2

Successful on second of 2 starts in maidens for Jarlath P. Fahey at Limerick (7f) in June and further progress when second on yard/handicap debut at Galway (7f) 7 weeks ago. That form looks solid and her mark looks an exploitable one with more to come. Back over 1m.

Form: 613

(3)

No More Porter^t,v1⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 9-6| J: Adam Caffrey| T: A McGuinness| OR: 72| BF| D

9/1

Largely running well without winning this season and was quickly back to form when fourth at Laytown on Thursday. New headgear on but he is vulnerable to improvers.

Form: 328304

(9)

Sagasti^v²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: Colin Keane| T: M O'Callaghan| OR: 77| D

10/1

Form has an in-and-out look to it, but she proved more straightforward than she has at times when second of 11 in handicap at Dundalk (7f) in July and she knuckled down well to go one place better over 7.5f at Roscommon 4 weeks ago. Task is to back that up in what is a deeper race.

Form: 630201

(10)

Zaraahmando^t¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Andrew Slattery| T: A Slattery| OR: 72| BF| D

9/2

Ran well once more when second of 13 to Cala Bonita in handicap at Galway (8.5f) and confirmed he's in top form when running on to fill the frame again at Navan 2 weeks ago. Eased 2 lb so clearly weighted to go very well.

Form: 623324

(1)

Pillar Of Hope⁴⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 9-5| J: Patrick McGettigan⁽⁵⁾| T: P Sweeney| OR: 71| D

22/1

Yet to score this term but figures off a handy mark and returned to form when creditable fourth of 16 in handicap at Galway (1½m, good) 45 days ago, well positioned. Significantly back down in trip, which could be an issue.

Form: 880464

(8)

Duke Of Leggagh^t²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-1| J: Terry Casey⁽⁷⁾| T: M Mulvany| OR: 67

80/1

Now finds himself back below his last winning mark, gained in October but he's not come close to that form in 3 starts this summer.

Form: 157-900

(2)

Hassaniya^p⁴⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: Reese Holohan⁽⁷⁾| T: M O'Callaghan| OR: 68

10/1

Encouraging fourth on second of 3 starts in maidens at the Curragh (1m, heavy) in March. Matched that form when third in 2 handicaps after and heavy defeat at Galway isn't a race to judge him too harshly on given his poor draw. Since been gelded.

Form: 8-45330

Non-Runners

(15)

Sonoran¹³

Weight: 10-3| Age: 4

T: G M Lyons J: Reserve 1

(13)

Prince Andorra¹²⁰

Weight: 8-7| Age: 3

T: C O'Connell J: Reserve 2

Forecasts

Motta Alta (7/2), Sonoran (7/2), Zaraahmando (9/2), Follow Me (13/2), No More Porter (9/1), Molto Amichi (9/1), Hassaniya (10/1), Sagasti (10/1), Flash Of Fire (11/1), Spodo Komodo (11/1), Frank Pickle (11/1), Pillar Of Hope (22/1), Amenita (28/1), Heliogabalus (33/1), Prince Andorra (33/1), Duke Of Leggagh (80/1)

The assessor has been very fair with ZARAAHMANDO dropping him 2 lb on the back of another very solid effort so's selected to get off the mark for the season. 3-y-os Flash of Fire (starting out for an excellent yard) and Motta Alta have bigger efforts in them so must command respect.