19:10 Punchestown

Friday 28 April 2017

All15:4016:2016:5517:3018:0518:4019:1019:45

Donohue Marquees Novice Hurdle

Off time: 19:14 | Winning time: 3m 52.9s

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Selected odds by:

Avenir D'Une Vie²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: B J Cooper| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 134

14/1

Successful in a maiden hurdle at Fairyhouse over 2m on soft ground on his debut for this yard in November. Well beaten in a Grade 2 contest at Fairyhouse earlier this month but likely to be more competitive here.

Form: 210-516

Bravissimo¹²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: P Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 130

16/1

Off the mark on debut for this yard over 2m3f at Limerick (heavy) in December. Well beaten three times since including in handicaps the last twice. Interesting runner today.

Form: 3/1700

Castlegrace Paddy⁴⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: D N Russell| T: P A Fahy

7/2

Successful on soft-to-heavy ground over 2m at Gowran Park last month. Justified favouritism by 9L on that occasion and an interesting runner in this novice event.

Form: 2-4241

Chateau Conti²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: D J Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 138

8/1

Twice a winner in France and off the mark on debut for this yard at Cork in January. Finished well beaten the last twice but better ground here is likely to suit given he won on both good and good-to-soft ground on the Flat in France.

Form: 1116PP-

Chirico Vallis^h,t1²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: M P Walsh| T: G Elliott| OR: 130

14/1

Plenty of experience and a winner at Navan on heavy ground over this trip in March. Well beaten in a Grade 2 contest subsequently he has a tongue tie fitted for the first time in this.

Form: 233R15

Montalbano^h²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr P W Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 137

11/4

Useful horse on the Flat and placed over hurdles in France. Successful first time out for this yard at Leopardstown over 2m4f in December. Ran well in a Grade 2 event over this trip last time out and interesting in this contest.

Form: 2-153

Morgan^h²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: J W Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 130

8/1

Broke his maiden over hurdles at the second time of asking at Naas on soft-to-heavy ground in February. Subsequently finished runner-up in a similar race to this at Limerick last month and likely to run well again here.

Form: 134124-

Riven Light²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Ruby Walsh| T: W P Mullins| OR: 136

2/1

Victorious on his first outing for this yard at Thurles on yielding ground in December. Gelded, highly tried and well held prior to finishing fourth in a Grade 2 contest at Fairyhouse latest and likely to put up a bold show here.

Form: 148442-

Rosskerrig⁵⁸¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: B M Cash| T: Miss K Brown

100/1

Failed to complete in all four point-to-point starts and well held in a bumper at Worcester in September 2015. Likely to struggle on hurdling debut.

Form: PFP/F6-

Non-Runners

Veinard³

Weight: 11-12| Age: 8

T: G Elliott J: D F O'Regan

Forecasts

Riven Light (2/1), Montalbano (11/4), Castlegrace Paddy (7/2), Morgan (8/1), Chateau Conti (8/1), Chirico Vallis (14/1), Avenir D'Une Vie (14/1), Bravissimo (16/1), Veinard (16/1), Rosskerrig (100/1)

CHATEAU CONTI can give trainer Willie Mullins a third win in this race in the last four years by returning to form on better ground here. The selection was twice a winner on decent ground in France and while he was successful on heavy at Cork in January he's disappointed twice since but can get the better of stablemate Riven Light, not beaten far in a Grade 2 contest last time out with Avenir D'Une Vie and Montalbano also likely to figure in a competitive heat.