Racecards
12:00 Punchestown (IRE)
William Hill Ireland Rated Novice Chase
- 5 Runners
- Distance: 2m 43y
- Going: Soft to Heavy
- Surface: Turf
- €16,500 added
- Winner: €9,900
- 2nd: €3,300
- 3rd: €1,650
- 4th: €825
- Form 60-0123
- Age 6
- Weight 11-9
- Trainer E Sheehy
- Jockey K M Donoghue
led, jumped slightly left at 1st, not fluent 2 out and bumped rival, headed and dropped to 3rd before last, no extra run-in
- Form U2/1P4-
- Age 6
- Weight 11-5
- Trainer H De Bromhead
- Jockey Rachael Blackmore
rear, not fluent at 1st, progress to 3rd at 4th, 4th after 8th, slight mistake 2 out, no impression before last where not fluent, weakened run-in
- Form 3167-15
- Age 5
- Weight 11-5
- Trainer G Elliott
- Jockey J W Kennedy
tracked leader in 2nd, closed 3 out, pushed along after 3 out, bumped and hampered 2 out, improved to lead narrowly before last, kept on run-in, headed close home
- Form 243/13-3
- Age 6
- Weight 11-5
- Trainer B Connell
- Jockey M J M O'Sullivan
in touch, 4th at 4th, not fluent at 5th, 3rd after 8th, dropped to 5th 2 out, no impression before last, no extra run-in
- Form 21U2-44
- Age 5
- Weight 11-5
- Trainer J J Mangan
- Jockey M P Walsh
towards rear, dropped to rear at 4th, headway to 3rd 2 out, closed in 2nd before last, kept on best run-in to lead narrowly close home
Verdict
Captain Conby has been highly-tried since landing a Killarney beginners‘ race on his chasing debut for which he is penalised. The hugely-expensive Arctic Bresil easily landed a Cork maiden hurdle but was always more likely to make a chaser and makes his debut over the bigger obstacles as does winning bumper and hurdler Firm Footings. HGRANCA DE THAIX improved over timber and made a very satisfactory start over fences at Fairyhouse with the winner and second both scoring next time out. Spillane‘s Tower was not far behind but needs to step up on his latest effort at Navan.
Formwatch
Captain Conby (IRE) 5-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, jumped left, went badly left and mistake 4th, went 2nd soon after 4 out until approaching next, no extra in 3rd, 3rd of 6, 18 1/4l behind Knappers Hill (11-4) at Wincanton 2m 4f (1) gs in Nov.
Arctic Bresil 13-2 (11-12) Prominent and led from 2nd, pushed along entering straight and headed approaching last, no extra run-in, 4th of 9, 19 1/2l behind Monbeg Park (11-12) at Punchestown 2m Yielding in Apr.
Firm Footings (IRE) 5-1 (11-3) Rear of mid-division, progress to 9th before 6th, effort before last, kept on run-in, never nearer, 5th of 19, 12 3/4l behind Espanito Bello (10-10) at Naas 2m 4f hcp lst (1) sft in Nov.
Hgranca De Thaix (FR) 9-2 (11-12) In touch, 6th after 5th, took closer order after 6th, 4th 2 out, improved to 3rd last, no impression on leaders run-in, 3rd of 13, 6 1/4l behind The Big Chap (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m sft in Oct.
Spillane's Tower (IRE) 25-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, closer and left 4th 3 out, no impression after 2 out and slow last, kept on one pace, 4th of 12, 19 1/4l behind Facile Vega (11-12) at Navan 2m 1f Soft - Heavy in Nov.
Jimmy Chou Pecos Aa (FR) 3-1 (11-4) Led, clear with winner from 4 out, ridden and headed before last, kept on one pace, 3rd of 13, 10 1/4l behind Great Pepper (11-4) at Hexham 2m 4f mdn (4) hvy in Nov.
Pinkerton (IRE) 3-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders in 4th, 3rd 3 out, pushed along in 3rd 2 out, soon ridden, kept on under pressure in 3rd inside final furlong, 3rd of 10, 2 1/4l behind Mister Policeman (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m Soft - Heavy in Nov.