Racecards
18:05 Punchestown (IRE)
Alanna Homes Champion Novice Hurdle (Grade 1) (Class 1)
- 11 Runners
- Distance: 2m 4f
- Going: Yielding (Good to Yielding in places)
- Surface: Turf
- €100,000 added
- Winner: €59,000
- 2nd: €19,000
- 3rd: €9,000
- 4th: €4,000
- Form 22-2214
- Age 7
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 131
- Trainer O McKiernan
- Jockey S W Flanagan
tracking clear leader 2 when fell at 2nd
- Form 2-1D111
- Age 6
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 152
- Trainer M Brassil
- Jockey Mr D O'Connor
mid-division on outer, progress into 4th 2 out, soon ridden on outer, no impression straight
- Form 1/617P
- Age 7
- Weight 11-10
- Trainer W P Mullins
- Jockey D E Mullins
in rear, 9th 4 out, no impression from 2 out, never a factor
- Form P321
- Age 6
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 139
- Trainer H De Bromhead
- Jockey J W Kennedy
tracked leaders, moderate 3rd from 2nd, close 3rd 4 out, 2nd next, ridden from 2 out, dropped to 5th before last, no impression
- Form 231183
- Age 5
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 142
- Trainer W P Mullins
- Jockey B Hayes
towards rear, 8th on outer 4 out, ridden and no impression from 2 out
- Form 212317
- Age 6
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 138
- Trainer O McKiernan
- Jockey B Browne
tracked leaders, 5th 4 out, ridden and weakened from 3 out
- Form 37111
- Age 5
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 150
- Trainer C L Tizzard
- Jockey R M Power
soon tracked clear leader in moderate 3rd, left moderate 2nd from 2nd, improved to lead before 3 out, ridden and strongly pressed before last, stayed on well under pressure inside final furlong
- Form F1/5111
- Age 7
- Weight 11-10
- Trainer W P Mullins
- Jockey Mr P W Mullins
pulled hard and led, soon well clear, reduced advantage 4 out, headed before next, weakened quickly, pulled up before 2 out
- Form 13-1225
- Age 5
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 138
- Trainer M F Morris
- Jockey D N Russell
mid-division, slight mistake 7th, headway travelling well entering straight, went 2nd and ridden before last where mistake, kept on well run-in, not reach winner
- Form 131-1P
- Age 6
- Weight 11-10
- Trainer W P Mullins
- Jockey P Townend
towards rear, last and pecked 4 out, closer in 8th 2 out, soon ridden, went moderate 4th at last, kept on same pace inside final furlong
- Form 1-1313
- Age 5
- Weight 11-3
- Official Rating 136
- Trainer W P Mullins
- Jockey J J Burke
rear of mid-division, headway into 4th 4 out, ridden from 2 out, went 3rd before last, kept on same pace inside final furlong
Verdict
Colin Tizzard sends over the hugely progressive Reserve Tank, who followed two minor victories with a surprise but well-earned success in the Grade 1 Mersey Novices' Hurdle at Aintree. He's won on soft ground so conditions shouldn't be a concern though CITY ISLAND has to be the one to beat. Martin Brassil's charge would have been on a six-timer here but for a disqualification at Galway in August and he beat what looked a high-class field of novices' in the Ballymore at Cheltenham. Easy Game finished eighth that day and is one of five from Willie Mullins' yard along with Tornado Flyer, who won the Grade 1 bumper here a year ago and made a successful debut over hurdles on the track. He can't have been right when pulling up in a Grade 1 at Naas won by Battleoverdoyen and should get much closer.
Formwatch
All For Joy (IRE) 11-4 (11-4) Soon tracked leader and clear of remainder, came back to field approaching 3 out, slight mistake next, soon pushed along and no impression, one pace, 4th of 6, 19l behind Mister Blue Sky (11-4) at Fairyhouse 2m (1) Good - Yielding in Apr.
City Island (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) Mid-division, tracked leaders after 4 out, tried to challenge when short of room and hampered after next, upsides 2 out, led narrowly turning in, ridden after last, edged right and stayed on well flat, won at Cheltenham 2m 5f (1) sft in Mar beating Champ (11-7) by 2l, 16 ran.
Come To Me (FR) 11-1 (11-10) Mid-division early, 8th approaching halfway, not fluent 9th, soon reminders in rear, quickly behind, pulled up before final hurdle, at Leopardstown 2m 6f (1) Good - Yielding in Feb.
Dommage Pour Toi (FR) 33-1 (11-5) Soon prominent, on terms 3 out, led before straight, soon joined, gained narrow lead from last, stayed on well, won at Fairyhouse 2m 4f (1) Good - Yielding in Apr beating Zero Ten (11-5) by 3/4l, 12 ran.
Easy Game (FR) 9-2 (11-10) Waited with, last from 3rd, closer in 6th before straight, effort in 3rd at last, kept on without matching front pair run-in, 3rd of 12, 1l behind Dommage Pour Toi (11-5) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f (1) Good - Yielding in Apr.
Gallant John Joe (IRE) 8-1 (11-8) Soon chased leaders, 5th from 3rd, dropped to 10th before straight, soon no extra, 7th of 12, 21 1/2l behind Dommage Pour Toi (11-5) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f (1) Good - Yielding in Apr.
Reserve Tank (IRE) 20-1 (11-4) With leader to 6th, remained close up on inside, led 3 out, pushed along after 2 out, hit last, driven out, won at Aintree 2m 4f (1) gd in Apr beating Brewin'upastorm (11-4) by 3 1/4l, 9 ran.
Royal Rendezvous (IRE) 4-6fav (11-12) Tracked leader, a little keen, on terms 3rd, led from next, went on from 2 out, slight mistake last, stayed on well, easily, won at Galway 2m mdn Yielding in Oct beating Tara Dylan (11-5) by 16l, 17 ran.
Sams Profile 9-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, challenged after 3 out, upsides when not fluent next, soon lost place, ridden and weakened before last, 5th of 16, 14 3/4l behind City Island (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 5f (1) sft in Mar.
Tornado Flyer (IRE) 9-4 (11-10) Held up in last, not fluent at 2nd, pushed along 5th, under pressure next, trailing when pulled up quickly after 7th, at Naas 2m 4f (1) gd in Jan.
Eglantine Du Seuil (FR) 4-1 (11-7) Mid-division early, closer in 5th halfway, ridden in 3rd entering straight, under pressure in 4th 2 out, kept on same pace from before last, 3rd of 16, 8 1/2l behind Honeysuckle (11-7) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f (1) Good - Yielding in Apr.
Battleoverdoyen (IRE) 3-1fav (11-7) Mid-division, driven and outpaced after 4 out, weakened after next, tailed off when pulled up before last, at Cheltenham 2m 5f (1) sft in Mar.