Racecards
16:05 Punchestown (IRE)
racinguk.com/freetrial Grand National Trial Handicap Chase (Grade C)
- 9 Runners
- Distance: 3m 4f
- Going: Soft to Heavy
- Surface: Turf
- €31,999 added
- Winner: €20,800
- 2nd: €6,081
- 3rd: €2,880
- 4th: €960
- Form 556/6-30
- Age 9
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 148
- Trainer M S Sandra Hughes
- Jockey J M Moore
settled behind leaders, 5th halfway, ridden in 6th after 4 out, no impression next, weakened
- Form 23126P
- Age 7
- Weight 10-12
- Official Rating 136
- Trainer G Elliott
- Jockey D J Mullins
chased leader, ridden in 4th after 4 out, no impression in 3rd 2 out, no extra entering straight
- Form 04U6-30
- Age 9
- Weight 10-11
- Official Rating 135
- Trainer M F Morris
- Jockey B J Cooper
chased leader, slight mistake 5th, pushed along to maintain position from 11th, slight slow 12th and reminder, slight slow 13th, ridden in 3rd 3 out, no impression entering straight, kept on one pace
- Form 1111-38
- Age 11
- Weight 10-6
- Official Rating 130
- Trainer R Tyner
- Jockey P T Enright
held up, ridden in 7th after 4 out, no impression in 6th 2 out, soon no extra
- Form 336F-71
- Age 5
- Weight 10-4
- Official Rating 128
- Trainer R O'Sullivan
- Jockey Ruby Walsh
chased leader, ridden in 2nd entering straight, pressed winner last, no extra run-in and kept on same pace
- Form 11P-U21
- Age 6
- Weight 10-1
- Official Rating 125
- Trainer N Meade
- Jockey S W Flanagan
made all, slight mistake 4 out, ridden entering straight, pressed last, kept on well to assert run-in
- Form F95516
- Age 7
- Weight 9-13
- Official Rating 123
- Trainer G Elliott
- Jockey J W Kennedy
always towards rear, slight mistakes 1st and 4th, ridden 4 out, no impression next, weakened and pulled up after 2 out
- Form 62-5601
- Age 11
- Weight 9-10
- Official Rating 120
- Trainer D G Murphy
- Jockey M A Enright
held up, slight mistake 5 out, closer in 5th after 4 out, ridden and no impression before 2 out, kept on one pace, moderate 4th last
- Form 810444
- Age 9
- Weight 9-10
- Official Rating 116
always towards rear, ridden and no impression before 3 out, weakened
Verdict
Folsom Blue won this in 2014 but hasn't scored since. He would have an outstanding chance on his close third in the Paddy Power but blotted his copybook at Gowran when beaten a long way. The five-year-old BAIE DES ILES had plenty of experience in France and looked a very progressive young chaser when scoring over 3m1f on heavy going here three weeks ago and though 6lb higher can follow up before going on to better things. Bonny Kate is still a novice but jumped like an old hand to make all at Fairyhouse. She has a touch of class about her and isn't badly treated for her handicap debut. Embracing Change won this a year ago when completing a four-timer but has only had two subsequent runs and finished last over hurdles here on New Year's Eve. Bothair Clei faces a much stiffer test than at Limerick but Riverside City looks a big threat. Gordon Elliott's charge landed a Grade B handicap at Navan before an excellent run in the Paddy Power where he wasn't stopping at the finish.
Formwatch
Lyreen Legend (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) Towards rear, never a factor, pushed along and no impression in 16th entering straight, kept on one pace, 12th of 21, dist behind Forever Gold (10-3) at Leopardstown 3m hcp hvy in Dec.
Captain Von Trappe (IRE) 20-1 (10-11) Mid-division early, towards rear halfway, ridden and no impression 4 out, weakened and pulled up before last, at Leopardstown 3m hvy in Dec.
Folsom Blue (IRE) 8-1 (10-1) Tracked leaders, slow and lost place 2nd, 8th halfway, slow 10th, no extra approaching straight, weakened, tailed off, 11th of 18, dist behind My Murphy (10-5) at Gowran Park 3m 1f hcp hvy in Jan.
Embracing Change (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Always behind, pushed along and trailing 3 out, never a factor, last of 8, dist behind Noble Emperor (11-4) at Punchestown 2m 4f hvy in Dec.
Baie Des Iles (FR) 9-2 (11-6) Held up in touch in rear, progress 4 out, went close 3rd on inner next, ridden in 2nd 2 out, closed on leader approaching last, stayed on well run-in to led close home, won at Punchestown 3m 1f hcp hvy in Jan beating Unic De Bersy (12-0) by 1/2l, 6 ran.
Bonny Kate (IRE) 5-1 (11-5) Close up, led after 2nd, slight mistake 6th, went on from before 3 out, pushed along to assert from next, stayed on well run-in,, won at Fairyhouse 2m 5f sft in Nov beating Marinero (11-12) by 6l, 18 ran.
Riverside City (IRE) 16-1 (9-10) Held up towards rear, ridden into 10th 2 out, stayed on in 8th before last, left 5th last, kept on same pace run-in, no extra closing stages, 6th of 28, 7 1/2l behind Minella Foru (10-8) at Leopardstown 3m hvy in Dec.
Bothair Clei (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) Prominent, 4th and slight mistake 9th, 2nd from 3 out, pushed along approaching straight, challenged 2 out, on terms last, soon led and stayed on best, won at Limerick 2m 6f hcp hvy in Dec beating Montana Slim (9-11) by 1l, 11 ran.
Down Under (IRE) 16-1 (11-6) Towards rear, 10th halfway, pushed along and progress 2 out, ridden to go 4th at last, under pressure and kept on one pace run-in, 4th of 12, 8 1/4l behind Clar Na Mionn (11-2) at Leopardstown 2m 5f hcp hvy in Dec.